A 48-year-old man, Anthony Igbinogun and his girlfriend, Joy Umukoro, have been arrested for allegedly selling their one-month-old baby to buy drugs.
Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking ETAHT apprehended the man and his 28-year-old lover alongside a friend, James Precious, who linked them with the baby’s buyer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Head of Investigation Unit, ETAHT, Abigail Ihonre who briefed pressmen in Benin City, disclosed that the infant was sold for N1.7 million.
According to Ihonre, the mother of the baby confessed to the crime, but they are yet to locate the child.
She said Joy delivered the baby in April 2023, but claimed that they could not take care of the boy, so they sold him.
Ihonre further alleged that the couple are drug addicts and they risk being sent to jail for seven years.
“Investigation into the case continues as we intensify efforts to locate the baby and the buyers as the matter will be charged to Court on Monday, June 26, 2023, so that everyone culpable is made to face the wrath of the law for their criminal activities.
“Our investigations revealed that Joy Umukoro, delivered the baby in April 2023, and conspired with her boyfriend to sell their baby for N1.7 million.
“The suspects said they carried out the dastardly act because they couldn’t take care of the baby. These people are alleged drug addicts, and when it was clear that they couldn’t take care of the baby, they decided to sell him. But that wasn’t the best option for them, as the decision could destroy their lives. The penalty for trafficking is about seven years in prison,” she said.
