The Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking has apprehended a 48-year-old man, Anthony Igbinogun, and his girlfriend, Joy Umukoro, 28, for allegedly selling their one-month-old baby to buy dr¥gs
The suspects were arrested with their friend, a 26-year-old Precious James, who reportedly facilitated the illegal transaction and linked the couple to the buyer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Taskforce Head of the Investigation Unit, Abigail Ihonre, who disclosed this on Friday, June 23, 2023, in Benin, said the baby was sold for N1.7 million.
“Our investigations revealed that Joy Umukoro, the mother of the baby, delivered the baby in April 2023, and conspired with her boyfriend to sell their baby for N1.7 million. She has confessed to the crim£ of selling the baby.”
She said investigation into the case is ongoing to locate the buyers and the baby, adding that everyone culpable would be made to face the wr@th of the law.
The suspects said they carried out the dast@rdly act because they couldn’t take care of the baby. These people are alleged dr¥g add#cts 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 may destr@y their lives.
The baby’s mother, Joy Umukoro said they sold the one-month-old baby to a willing buyer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for N700,000. N500,000 was paid cash; N170,000 was given to the agent that took her to the buyer, while the balance was used for dr¥gs.
