The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a medical doctor, a traditional birth attendant, and the parents of a newborn baby over allegations of conspiring to sell the child for ₦2.5 million in a suspected human trafficking scheme.
According to police findings, the case involved a 28-year-old mother and her boyfriend who allegedly agreed not to keep the baby and instead arranged for the child to be sold through intermediaries shortly after delivery.
Investigators said the pregnancy was initially managed by a traditional birth attendant, but complications during labour required the expectant mother to be transferred to a private hospital in Ikorodu, where a 31-year-old medical doctor performed an emergency Caesarean section that successfully delivered the baby and saved both mother and child.
Despite the medical intervention, police allege that arrangements to sell the newborn had already been concluded between the parents and unidentified buyers, with the transaction reportedly finalized within the hospital premises shortly after delivery.
The baby was subsequently handed over to an unknown purchaser who allegedly paid ₦2.5 million for the child. However, the buyer has since gone into hiding and remains at large, while investigators continue efforts to trace their identity and recover the infant.
The matter began to unfold after discrepancies emerged in the payment arrangement. A police source disclosed that although the agreed price was ₦2.5 million, the mother allegedly received only ₦700,000, prompting dissatisfaction and raising suspicions about the transaction.
The situation reportedly escalated when the mother raised concerns over the unpaid balance, drawing attention from non-governmental organisations working on child protection issues. These groups subsequently alerted the police, leading to a formal investigation.
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, , ordered that the case be transferred from Area E Command, Festac, to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a more detailed probe.
The investigation is being handled by the Anti-Human Trafficking and Gender Unit of the SCID under the supervision of senior police authorities, as officers work to unravel the full extent of the alleged trafficking network.
Police sources confirmed that the contact details and address provided for the alleged buyer were found to be false, further complicating efforts to locate the individual who took custody of the baby.
According to investigators, the doctor, the traditional birth attendant, and the parents are currently in custody and will be charged in court upon completion of investigations. They are being held on suspicion of conspiracy, child stealing, and child trafficking offences.
Authorities say efforts are ongoing to rescue the newborn and ensure the child’s safety while tracking down other individuals who may be connected to the transaction.
Human rights and child protection advocates have condemned the alleged incident, describing it as a disturbing example of illegal child trafficking and calling for stricter enforcement of laws protecting vulnerable children.
The case has also reignited public concern over illegal adoption networks and the exploitation of healthcare settings for criminal activities. Security experts warn that such incidents highlight the need for tighter monitoring of maternity services and stronger coordination between hospitals and law enforcement agencies.
As investigations continue, police say they are determined to dismantle any broader network involved in the illegal sale of infants and ensure that all suspects are brought to justice.
