In a shocking revelation, a newborn baby was allegedly sold by a midwife in collaboration with the mother of the child in Rivers State, Nigeria.
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The incident came to light following an intelligence report about a building serving as a birth house in Rumuokwurusi town, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, where newborn babies were allegedly being sold.
Acting on the information, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command Monitoring Squad, CP Olatunji Disu, directed the Commander of the Monitoring Squad, CSP Grace Wonwu, to investigate the matter. On July 6, 2024, the police team rescued a 17-year-old pregnant teenager whose baby was allegedly to be sold upon delivery, along with the woman whose newly born baby had already been sold.
In an interview, the mother of the sold newborn, identified as Happiness Monday, confessed to receiving N400,000 for the sale of her baby. She attributed her actions to poverty and hunger, stating that without access to education, employment, or social support, she felt she had no other option.
Happiness Monday revealed that she had come from Akwa-Ibom to Port Harcourt to make a living but faced numerous challenges, including being abandoned by her partner during her pregnancy. Desperate and homeless, she sought help from the midwife, Success Igwe, who arranged for someone to take the baby for N400,000.
The midwife, Success Igwe, claimed that this was the first time she had been involved in the sale of a baby. She admitted to giving out the baby for N450,000, keeping N50,000 for delivery charges, and handing the rest to Happiness Monday.
The police also found a pale-looking teenage girl, identified as Margret Okonide, at the birth house. However, due to a language barrier, they were unable to gather more information from her.
Both the mother and the midwife are currently in police custody as the investigation continues.
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