A 23-year old mother has been arrested by the Edo State Police Command for allegedly selling her six-week-old baby.
The woman Miracle Johnson sold the baby, Greatness, to an orphanage in Onitsha, Anambra State, for N200,000.
Johnson who hails from Agenebode, in the Etsako East Local Government Area of the state, was paid in cash and used part of the proceeds to buy a mobile phone.
The mother of two said frustration and the inability of her husband to take care of her and her other children led her to do what she did.
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 N200,000. I just bought only a phone; I did not want to buy it, but she (Mama Joy) forced me to do so,” she added.
She continued saying;
“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, speaking on the issue 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.”
Police commissioner in the state 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.”
