The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a couple who tried to sell their two-year-old son to fund their travel to Canada.
The couple, aged 22 and 28, were caught in the act on Tuesday.
SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the command’s spokesman, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday. He said, “The Isolo Divisional Police Officer received information that a couple went to Isolo General Hospital on Tuesday, at about 2:45 p.m., and declared their intention to sell their son.”
Acting swiftly on this tip, police operatives from the division rushed to the hospital. “The baby, aged two, has been rescued. Upon interrogation, the couple confessed that they decided to sell their two-year-old baby to fund the man’s travel to Canada for a greener pasture. However, investigation is ongoing,” Hundeyin stated.
The father, Uchenna Eziekwe, a labourer, and his wife, Chineye, were arrested while inquiring about selling their baby boy at the Isolo General Hospital, Lagos. The arrest occurred on July 9, 2024.
Hundeyin explained, “Upon receipt of the information, operatives from the division moved swiftly to the hospital, where Uchenna Eziekwe and Chineye Eziekwe were about to sell their child. The baby was rescued. Upon interrogation, the couple said they decided to sell the baby to enable the man to travel to Canada for greener pastures. However, investigation is ongoing.”
Speaking with journalists, Uchenna Eziekwe said the decision to sell the child was his, blaming his actions on the harsh economy. “It was a difficult decision, but we had no choice but to sell our baby. We felt it would be better to sell him to someone who can take care of him than to allow him to die of hunger. I muted the idea and convinced my wife. We had to do it because of hardship. I am a labourer, I go to construction sites to look for work while my wife does nothing. Like I said, it was a hard decision,” Eziekwe explained.
