Mother sells six-week-old baby and buys phone with part of the money
Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have begun investigation into the alleged sale of a six – week -old baby by her a 23 – year- old mother , Miracle Johnson.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo , who confirmed the incident , described it as a serious offence.
Report gathered that Miracle sold the baby , Greatness , to an orphanage in Onitsha , Anambra State, for N200, 000.
It was learnt that the nursing mother , who hails from Agenebode , in the Etsako East Local Government Area of the state, was paid in cash .
She was said to have used part of the proceeds to buy a mobile phone .
Miracle, a mother of two , blamed her action on frustration and the inability of her husband to take care of her and her other children .
She said she was persuaded by one Mama Joy, said to be at large , to sell the infant and give the money to her husband to start a business .
She said , “My baby was born on July 2 . I sold her due to frustration. My husband was just struggling (to provide for us ).
“ My friend (Mama Joy) said that since my husband was not taking care of me , if I did it (sold the baby ), I could give the money to my husband to start a business or buy a motorcycle .
“ Two weeks later , she came back . I did not know what happened to me . So, I carried a bag , picked some things and left .
“ I sold her to an orphanage in Onitsha . The orphanage bought the child for N 200, 000. I just bought only a phone ; I did not want to buy it , but she (Mama Joy ) forced me to do so ,” she added .
Miracle stated that she regretted her action and later confessed to her pastor.
She said , “ I told my pastor what I did and that it was a mistake for which I would never forgive myself . So, my husband and I went to a police station to report . I know what I did was not good. I pray that my child will forgive me . ”
Her husband , Johnson Omovuokpor , expressed anger that his wife went ahead with her plan, in spite of his disapproval .
He said , “ When she told me about her plan, I told her to forget about it and exercise patience .
“ On that day , I took my motorcycle out for repairs. When I went back home to get some money , I saw my first daughter with my neighbour.
“ When I asked about my wife’ s whereabouts , I was told that she went out with a bag, saying that she was going to buy something . So , I remembered what she said she wanted to do with the baby .
“ When she called me later in the afternoon to tell me that she had sold the baby , I cursed her and ended the call . I became confused afterwards and could not do anything for the rest of that day . ”
The Commissioner of Police in the state said the baby would be rescued while the suspect would be charged to court .
Kokumo said , “ It is an act against laws in Nigeria. Now that we have the woman in our net , we will definitely charge her to court . The baby will be rescued. ”