By Austin Ogwuda
A newborn baby boy sold for N2 million from a Baby factory in Port Harcourt, Rivers State while being delivered to the buyer in Delta State has been rescued by a good-hearted commercial motorcycle operator, otherwise known as ‘keke’ rider.
Two women involved, who are members of the syndicate who boarded the keke in the process of delivering the baby were also arrested as the keke rider swiftly headed to the Police station instead of the agreed destination.
Delta State Police Command’s Spokesman, Bright Edafe, a Superintendent of Police SP gave a vivid account of the incident contained in a Press Release issued today (Thursday).
It reads:
“On 1/10/2024, about 1830hours, a tricycle rider (name withheld) came to Ekpan police station and reported that while he was on his daily commercial operation, four women boarded his tricycle, on reaching Efurrun Roundabout, two of them alighted from the tricycle. One of the two women who alighted handed over a newborn baby boy to the women left in his tricycle and he heard one of them saying, the balance has been paid while saying that when they get to their destination, they should inform her.
“The tricycle rider smartly diverted the two women; Tessi Ikechukwu, and Lauretta Akomen, and the newborn baby to Ekpan Police Station.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects Lauretta Akomen (female) aged 38yrs bought the baby for the sum of Two Million Naira
(N2,000,000) from a traditional home located in Portharcourt where they harbour teenage girls, and got men to have sex with them till they are pregnant after which they sell the babies to people looking for children.
“The suspect also revealed that she was given a drug which she took for some time to make her look pregnant. She later led the DPO CSP Aliyu Shaba and operatives to the house of one Gloria (surname unknown) who acted as an agent between her and the traditional home. Suspects are in custody while a manhunt for the other accomplices is ongoing.
“The Commissioner of Police CP Olufemi Abaniwonda thanked the tricycle rider for being a patriotic citizen and urged others to emulate him. Members of the public can reach the command either by reporting at the nearest Police station or by calling any of the following numbers
– 08036684974
– 08114895600
– 08025666914“, the release added.
Photo caption: the two arrested women allegedly involved in the act
