Abia State might be popular for its thriving local industries but the booming baby sale industry is also jostling for attention as the state Police Command arrested a 25-year-old man, Chisom Ihemebirim from Amuzi Obowo in Imo State, for selling his one and half years old son, Chidubem Chisom for N500,000.
Also in police custody is one Abraham Ukaiwe, 27, from Asaga Ohafia in Abia State who is said to be Ihemebirim’s accomplice in the deal to sell the boy.
Little Chidubem Chisom was reportedly sold to one Mercy Nwachinemere, 45, of Umudi Abayi in Osisioma, Abia State who has also been arrested just as the boy has been recovered from his buyer
Parading the suspects, Commissioner, Mohammed Tilli Abubakar, said his men swung into action following a report by one Kasarachi John, 23, from Mbawsi in Isiala Ngwa North Council said to be the estranged wife of Ihemebirim.
Kasarachi John, according to Abubakar, reported that sometime in February 2013, she moved out of Ihemebirim’s house following a misunderstanding. But a month after she left, information reached her that their son, Chidubem Chisom, has been sold by the father, Ihemebirim.
Speaking to journalists, Ihemebirim confessed to selling the boy for N500, 000.
According to him, he used the money to process his travel documents to Libya or Spain. He also claimed that he used part of it to renovate his house.
CP Abubakar said that a fraction of the money was recovered from Ukaiwe, the said accomplice.
Meanwhile, another female suspect, Kate Agharanya 41, was arrested by the command for conspiring with one Onyinyechi Nwogu still at large to sell a baby boy for N200, 000.
The police commissioner said the matter was reported by the mother of the baby, one Victoria Nwachukwu, 20 years, of Obazor Asa in Ukwa West area of Abia state who claimed that she delivered the said baby on May 6, 2013, at Chile Maternity Home in Umunka in Ugwunagbo.
Abubakar noted that the matter is still being investigated but announced that the whereabouts of both Onyinyechi Nwogu and the unnamed buyer of the baby are unknown.
