By Desire Emmanuel
A woman who sold her two-month-old baby girl to a couple for the sum of N1.5 million and reported at the police station that the child was stolen when she was inside a tricycle has been arrested alongside the couple by men of the Delta State Police Command.
The command announced the arrest in a statement on Friday, December 19, saying the incident occurred at Kokori, Ethiope Local Government Area of the state.
According to the command, the woman, Rita Ughale, reported at the Ekpan Divisional Headquarters that her two-month-old baby was snatched from her during a robbery incident while she was inside a tricycle.
Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the station mobilised operatives and carried a swift search and rescue operation.
However, in the course of investigating the incident, the police discovered inconsistencies in the woman’s statement and suspicious conduct was observed in her narratives which prompted her immediate arrest.
She was said to have subsequently confessed that her report of child theft was not true, and revealed that she sold her baby to the said couple, Osas Omijie, aged 39 years and Judith Omijie, aged 30 years, for the sum of ₦1.5 million.
The confession led to the arrest of the two persons and the rescue of the baby.
“All suspects are currently in custody while investigation continues and efforts are being intensified to arrest other accomplices for prosecution,” the command added.
