The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a nursing mother,
Imaobong Udoh, for allegedly selling her three-day old baby girl.
Also arrested along with Imaobong were four persons for allegedly
participating in the theft of the baby.
They are the buyer, Mrs. Regina James; her husband, Mfon James; the
traditional birth attendant who delivered the baby, Mrs. Comfort Henry; and Mr
Emmanuel Okon, a homeopathic doctor, who arranged the sale.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Gwadabe, said in Uyo on Monday that the
father of the baby had reported the theft to the police, leading to the arrest
of the suspects.
Gwadabe said, “On March 3, 2014, a case of child stealing was reported
by Mr. Eteobong James, of No. 33 Urua Ekpa Road, Itu Local Governmnet Area, to
the police, where a three-day-old baby girl was sold for N260, 000.
“Based on the report, the suspects were arrested.
“Mr Emmanuel Etim Okon, was the one that arranged the infamous deal and
personally conveyed the baby from the point of delivery at Nna-Enin in Uruan
Local Government Area to the buyers at No. 37 Church Road, Uyo.”
The police boss explained that Regina allegedly paid N150,000 to the
mother of the baby and N110,000 to Okon, the homeopathic doctor, for his
services.
The commissioner stated that the accused would soon be arraigned in
court and warned child thieves to steer clear of the state.
He explained that the state would not be conducive for their illicit
trade.
Husband of the buyer, James, said when
his wife told him she was pregnant, he gave her money for ante-natal care, but
was surprised to hear that she bought the baby.
He said, “l am a trader. My wife, Regina, told me she was pregnant and I
gave her money for ante-natal. One day, she told me she was in labour and later
informed me that she had been delivered of a baby girl.
“I did not know she bought the baby since she has given birth to four
children, though three died.”
However, the homeopathic doctor said Regina brought the mother of the
baby, Imaobong, to him so that he could take care of her during ante-natal.
He said Regina had explained to him that the father of the baby was not
financially buoyant to take care of her.
He denied collecting N110,000 from Regina, stating that he only
collected N30,000, which was the cost of delivery of Imaobong’s baby.
“When Regina brought Imaobong to me, she told me that the man
responsible for the pregnancy was unable of take care of her.
“The N30,000 I collected from her was for the upkeep of Imaobong before
and during delivery of the baby. I did not collect N110,000.”