The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly selling his one-month-old niece for N2 million.
The suspect, a resident of Igbogbo in Ikorodu, told investigators that he sold the baby to fund their mother’s burial.
The baby’s mother reported the incident to the police, prompting the arrest.
Commissioner of Police Mr. Olohundare Jimoh has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for further investigation.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday, the suspect confessed to the act, blaming poverty for his actions.
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He said he met the woman who bought the child on Facebook and delivered the baby to Mile 2, where a man sent by the buyer collected the child after the woman transferred N2 million to his account.
The suspect said he gave his sister N500,000 and used the remainder for their mother’s burial.
He added that his sister later demanded the return of the child, alleging that he used charms to convince her to sell the baby.
“My sister later said she was not aware of the sale, and reported me to the police which led to my arrest,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, Mr. Dayo Akinbisehin, said investigations are ongoing and the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of the probe.