Two women have been arrested in connection with the illegal sale of a three-day-old baby in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
The suspects, identified as Lauretta Akomen, 38, and Tessi Ikechukwu, were apprehended on Tuesday at Layout Junction, Jakpa Road, after a vigilant tricycle rider, popularly known as Keke NAPEP, raised an alarm.
The incident occurred when the women chartered the Keke to take them to a location.
According to reports, the rider became suspicious when, at PTI Junction, one of the women briefly left the tricycle to collect a newborn baby from someone who crossed the road.
As the journey continued, the driver overheard one of the women on a phone call, where she was asked to send a balance payment immediately.
Upon reaching Layout Junction, the tricycle rider stopped and raised an alarm, attracting a crowd.
The two women reportedly gave conflicting accounts of how they came into possession of the baby, leading to their arrest.
They were subsequently handed over to the Ekpan Police Station.
Confirming the incident, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, issued a statement on Thursday.
He revealed that Lauretta Akomen had purchased the baby for N2 million from a notorious ‘baby factory’ in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The police statement detailed how the two women boarded the tricycle and, after two other women alighted at a stop, a newborn baby was handed over to Lauretta and Tessi.
The tricycle driver’s suspicions were heightened when he overheard them discussing the payment of the balance, prompting him to divert them to the police station.
Preliminary investigations uncovered a disturbing scheme in which teenage girls were harboured in a traditional home in Port Harcourt, where men were arranged to impregnate them.
Once the girls gave birth, their babies were sold to individuals seeking children. Lauretta Akomen also admitted to being given drugs to simulate pregnancy, allowing her to avoid suspicion.
Following her arrest, Lauretta led the police to the residence of a woman known only as Gloria, who acted as a middleman between her and the ‘baby factory.’
While the two suspects are currently in custody, police are continuing their investigation to apprehend other accomplices involved in the illicit operation.
The case has sparked outrage in the local community, with many calling for stricter regulations to combat the illegal sale of babies and the exploitation of vulnerable young women.
Police have assured the public that they are committed to bringing all those responsible to justice.
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