Oyo Police: Rescue Sold Baby, Uncover N2 Million Trafficking Ring

• Oyo State Police rescued a one-month-old baby girl who was allegedly sold for N2 million in Ido Local Government Area.
• The baby's 23-year-old mother reportedly sold her child seven days after birth, with the transaction facilitated by the owner of Ebepraise Health Centre and another individual.
• The mother received N1 million from the sale, while the health facility owner and an accomplice, Oludunni, each allegedly received N500,000.
• The incident was reported by Mary Amos after her daughter failed to account for the baby's whereabouts following her birth on September 6.
• Police efforts are ongoing to arrest the alleged buyer, Folawewo, and other parties involved in the child trafficking scheme.

The Oyo State Police Command successfully intervened to rescue a one-month-old infant girl who was reportedly sold for N2 million.

The Oyo State Police Command successfully intervened to rescue a one-month-old infant girl who was reportedly sold for N2 million. This significant development was announced by DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the state Police Public Relations Officer, in a statement released to journalists on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in Ibadan. The incident unfolded in the Ido Local Government Area of the state, where the baby's mother allegedly orchestrated the sale to an individual named Folawewo.

The investigation commenced after a complaint was lodged by Mary Amos on a Thursday evening, around 6 pm. Amos reported to the authorities that her 23-year-old daughter had given birth to a baby girl on September 6 at the Ebepraise Health Centre, located in Ido. Approximately seven days following the delivery, the daughter and the newborn child vanished. When questioned about the baby's whereabouts, the mother failed to provide a credible explanation, leading to suspicions that the infant had been sold. This prompted police operatives to apprehend the mother for interrogation.

During police questioning, the baby's mother admitted to her involvement in the sale. She disclosed that the owner of the health facility where she delivered, along with another individual identified as Oludunni, had enticed her into the arrangement and facilitated the transaction. The mother confessed that the infant was subsequently sold to Folawewo, the alleged buyer.

Further police inquiries into the matter revealed the financial breakdown of the illicit sale. The total sum involved in the transaction was N2 million. From this amount, the baby's mother received N1 million. The remaining N1 million was reportedly split between the two facilitators: the owner of the Ebepraise Health Centre and Oludunni, each allegedly receiving N500,000 for their roles in the scheme.

This case highlights the grave issue of child trafficking, a serious criminal offense that the Oyo State Police Command is committed to combating. The alleged involvement of a healthcare facility owner in facilitating such a crime underscores the critical need for vigilance within medical institutions to prevent their premises or staff from being exploited for illegal activities. The police spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade, emphasized the command's dedication to safeguarding children and other vulnerable individuals from exploitation.

Currently, the rescued baby girl is safe. However, the police investigation remains active and ongoing. Authorities are diligently working to locate and apprehend Folawewo, the alleged buyer of the infant, as well as any other individuals who may have been involved in this reprehensible act. The command has also issued a public appeal, urging citizens to promptly report any suspected instances of child trafficking or related offenses to assist law enforcement in their efforts to protect the community.

Lawyers advising healthcare facilities in Nigeria should review and strengthen internal compliance protocols to prevent staff involvement in child trafficking, particularly regarding birth registration and discharge procedures, to mitigate legal and reputational risks. Compliance officers should ensure robust oversight to prevent complicity in such criminal acts.

Source: Facts reported by Agency Report.