The Monitoring Unit of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department of the Imo State Police Command has arrested a couple for allegedly selling their daughter, Chinecherem, for N400,000,just hours after she was born. This arrest took three weeks of investigation.
Ifeanyi, 35, and Emmaculata Elijah, 30, who hail from Amakpu- Umuba, in the Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State but reside at Irete, in the Owerri West LGA of Imo State, are the culprits.
Police also nabbed othe people involved in the case to include; Grace Mezu, 55, of Umuoba Uratta, in the Owerri North LGA; Fedalia Ariri, 55, also of Umuoba Uratta; and Amarachi Obiekwe, 49, of Osina, in the Ideato North LGA.
Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, while parading the suspects on Monday said the couple conspired on January 26, 2018, and sold their child few hours she was born to Obiekwe, through Mezu and Ariri.
Enwerem, also disclosed that investigations showed that two out of the couple’s 7 children, could not be accounted for.
He also revealed that the baby was recovered on February 17 in Lagos State.
Enwerem said, “The innocent baby was denied love and parental care immediately she was given birth to. The parents conspired to take N400,000 instead of their daughter.
“The Commissioner of Police, who is pissed off with this act of wickedness and crime against humanity, has ordered that the wheels of justice and investigation be accelerated so that the matter would be charged to court.
“Having found out that the mother of the child was part of the conspiracy, the CP has ordered that the innocent baby be taken from her and handed over to the Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
“The suspects have made confessional statements and we are working to ensure that justice is served. The Commissioner of Police advised that those who are in need of children should go through legal means to adopt them.”
Speaking to newsmen, the woman who purchased the child said she made payment for her at the couple’s home.
The baby’s father also confessed to the crime adding that he and his wife planned and hatched everything by themselves.
He confessed that he and his wife paid Mezu N6,000 from the amount paid for bringing the buyer for the baby.
