Drama As Single Mother, Hospital Workers Are Arrested For Selling Newborns In Ebonyi

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According to a report by The Nation, officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Ebonyi have arrested a single mother of five, Ndidiamaka Enyinta Emeka, for allegedly selling her newborn for N400,000.

Also arrested were two workers of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching hospital, Chinyere Idam, and Maryjane Inya, for alleged involvement in the sale.

Police spokesperson, Loveth Odah, said in a statement yesterday that the command recovered two babies, a male and female, aged three days and two weeks, from the suspects

She said, “The suspects were arrested on Thursday, 10th December 2021 following a report to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) by a concerned citizen of the area who alleged that one of the suspects, Maryjane, was seen with two newborn babies suspected to have been stolen.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects, Ndidiamaka Enyinta Emeka, the biological mother of the male child born on December 8, 2021 at Mama Samuel Maternity Home, Ndi-Eche Igbeagu in Izzi LGA of the state, sold her newborn baby to the second suspect, Chinenye Idam, for N400,000.

“Ndidiamaka, the baby’s mother, went back to the village, claiming that her newborn baby died after delivery but the village head and other family members insisted on knowing the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death.

“The suspect led the village head and other family members to FETHA Annex Nwezenyi where she attended antenatals before her delivery seeking the assistance of the nurses in tracing the suspect, who is also a staff member of Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, leading to the arrest and recovery of the baby.

“The circumstances surrounding the trafficking of the second baby is still under investigation,” the statement said.

The babies have been handed over to a medical facility for proper care at the instance of the state government, it was learnt.