A 48-year-old man identified as Anthony Igbinogun and his 28-year-old girlfriend, Joy Umukoro, have been apprehended by the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT) for allegedly selling their one-month-old baby in order to purchase drugs.
News About Nigeria reports that the couple, along with their accomplice James Precious, was captured after being linked to the baby’s buyer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
During a press briefing in Benin City, the Head of the Investigation Unit at ETAHT, Abigail Ihonre, disclosed that the infant was sold for the sum of N1.7 million.
Ihonre further revealed that although the mother of the baby confessed to the crime, the authorities have yet to locate the whereabouts of the child.
According to Ihonre, Joy gave birth to the baby in April 2023 but claimed that they were unable to care for the child, leading them to make the decision to sell him.
It was also alleged that the couple are drug addicts, putting them at risk of facing a seven-year jail sentence.
“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.
