Police arrest woman for selling 2-month-old baby for N1.5m in Delta

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a woman, Rita Ughale, of Kokori community in Ethiope East Local Government Area, following her incrimination in the alleged sale of her two-month-old baby.

She reportedly sold the baby boy to a couple, Osas Omijie (39) and Judith Omijie (30), for the sum of N1,500,000.

The police public relations officer (PPRO) for Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a signed statement made available to journalists in Warri on Friday, noting that both the seller and the buyers are currently in custody, “while the infant was successfully rescued and is safe.”

According to the police spokesman, “On December 15, 2025, at about 1840hrs, one Rita Ughale, female, of Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government Area, reported at the Ekpan Police Division that her two-month-old baby was snatched from her during a robbery incident while transiting in a tricycle.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekpan Division, CSP Labe Joseph, immediately mobilised operatives of the division and coordinated a swift search and rescue operation.

“During the course of the investigation, inconsistencies and suspicious conduct observed in the complainant’s narrative prompted further interrogation.

“The complainant subsequently confessed that the report was staged and revealed that she had sold her child, aged two months, to one Osas Omijie, male, 39 years, and Judith Omijie, female, 30 years, for the sum of N1,500,000.

“The suspects were arrested, and the infant was successfully rescued and is safe. All suspects are currently in custody while investigation continues.”

The police added that efforts are being intensified to arrest other accomplices for prosecution.

A similar case happened in May 2025, when the Lagos state police command arrested five suspects accused of stealing and selling a two-week-old baby for N3 million.

Police said a teenage girl was secretly moved by her guardian and others after giving birth, and her baby was sold without her knowledge.

The child was later traced and rescued in Badagry and is now safe, while the suspects remain under investigation.