The Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking has arrested two lovers who sold their one-month-old baby for N1.7 million to fund their alleged drug addiction.
Briefing journalists in Benin, the head of the investigation unit of the task force, Abigail Ihonre said the ‘couple’, 48-year-old Anthony Igbinogun and his 28-year-old girlfriend, Joy Umukoro, were arrested alongside their 26-year-old friend, Precious James, who facilitated the illegal transaction and linked them to the baby’s buyer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Ihonre said investigation had begun to rescue the baby and apprehend the buyer.
“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 crime of selling the baby.
“Investigation into the case continues as we intensify efforts to locate the buyers and the baby as the matter will be charged to Court latest on Monday 26th, June 2023, so that everyone culpable is made to face the wrath of the law for their criminal activities.
“The suspects said they carried out the dastardly act because they couldn’t take care of the baby.
“These people are alleged drug addicts 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 destroy their lives,” she said.
Ihonre said the penalty for human trafficking is about seven years imprisonment and urged “those that can’t take care of their babies not to sell but bring such to the office of Edo State Taskforce…as we collaborate with the ministry of gender and women affairs or take the baby to other agencies that take care of children.”
Ihonre quoted Umukoro as confessing that they sold the baby to a willing buyer in Port Harcourt for N700, 000 but N500, 000 cash payment was made.
She said N170, 000 was given to the agent who took her to the buyer, while the remainder was used for drugs.
“After giving birth to the baby, life became very difficult and I approached my friend to help me with a buyer and she gave me the link.
“I traveled to Port Harcourt with another woman and sold the baby for N700, 000. The drugs I take are the cause. I also sent some money to my other two children for upkeep and some other for my father’s burial,” Umukoro said.
For his part, Igbinogun said: “We stayed together and gave birth to the baby and the mother said she can’t take care of the baby. She told me that her friend Precious James has found a buyer and she traveled to Rivers State to sell the baby and when she returned she gave me N100, 000.”
Ihonre also quoted James as saying that the mother, father and she are drug addicts.
“My friend told me she sold the baby for seven hundred thousand naira and when she came back bought drugs for me from the money.”
With ThisDay report
