•A newborn baby – photo used for illustration purposes only
The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a one-month-old baby girl allegedly sold for N2 million and arrested two suspects, including the baby’s mother and the owner of the health facility where she was delivered.
The incident occurred in Ido Local Government Area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The suspects are the baby’s mother, 23-year-old Cecilia Amos, and the owner of Ebepraise Health Centre, Ido, Dr Adeleke Ebenezer, 40, reports Sunday PUNCH.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the statement, the case was reported on October 15, 2026, at about 6pm, by Mary Amos of Ogunwade area, Ido, who reported that her daughter gave birth to a baby girl on September 6, 2026, at Ebepraise Health Centre.
Mary reportedly told the police that her daughter disappeared with the baby about seven days after delivery and could not give a satisfactory account of the child’s whereabouts, raising suspicion that the baby had been sold.
The PPRO said police operatives subsequently arrested Cecilia for questioning, adding that she confessed during interrogation that Ebenezer and another suspect, Hassan Oludunni, lured her into the arrangement and facilitated the sale of the baby to one Odunayo Folawewo.
The police said investigation revealed that the baby was sold for N2m, with Cecilia receiving N1m, while Ebenezer and Oludunni allegedly received N500,000 each.
Following the police investigation, the baby was rescued, while Ebenezer was also arrested.
The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest Folawewo and bring all those involved in the alleged transaction to justice.
The Command reiterated its commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons, urging members of the public to promptly report suspected cases of child trafficking and related offences.
Members of the public can contact the Oyo State Call Response Centre on the toll-free line 615 or the Oyo State Police Command Control Room on 08081768614 and 07055495413.
The statement was signed by Ayanlade on October 16, 2026.
