A 30-year-old man has been apprehended by Lagos State police for allegedly selling his one-month-old niece for N2 million. Authorities say the suspect carried out the act to fund his mother’s burial, prompting a criminal investigation.
The suspect, a resident of Igbogbo in the Ikorodu area, reportedly confessed to arranging the sale with his sister’s consent. He told investigators that he met the buyer, a woman seeking a child, through Facebook and handed over the infant at Mile 2 after receiving payment.
According to the suspect, he gave his sister N500,000 from the transaction and used the remaining funds to organise their mother’s funeral. He later said that his sister demanded the return of the child, alleging that he had pressured her into agreeing to the sale. Following this, she reported the incident to the police, leading to his arrest.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, confirmed the arrest and directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti for further inquiry. Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, Dayo Akinbisehin, stated that investigations are ongoing and that the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion.
The suspect told authorities he had no direct contact with the buyer after the sale, and attempts to reach her by phone have been unsuccessful.
