The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a one-month-old baby girl allegedly sold for N2 million and arrested two suspects, including the child’s mother and the owner of the health centre where she was born.
The incident happened in Ido Local Government Area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The suspects are 23-year-old Cecilia Amos, the baby’s mother, and 40-year-old Dr Adeleke Ebenezer, who owns Ebepraise Health Centre in Ido. The police also named Hassan Oludunni as another person allegedly involved in the transaction.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the police, the case came to light on October 15, 2026, when Mary Amos, from the Ogunwade area of Ido, reported the matter at about 6pm.
She told the police that her daughter gave birth to a baby girl at Ebepraise Health Centre on September 6, 2026, but disappeared with the child about a week later.
Mary reportedly said her daughter could not provide a convincing explanation about the baby’s whereabouts, prompting fears that the child might have been sold.
Following the report, police operatives arrested Cecilia for questioning. During interrogation, she allegedly confessed that Ebenezer and Oludunni persuaded her to take part in the arrangement and helped facilitate the sale of the baby to a person identified as Odunayo Folawewo.
“Acting on the report, police operatives arrested the baby’s mother for questioning. She confessed during interrogation that the owner of the health facility and one Oludunni lured her into the arrangement and facilitated the sale of the baby to one Folawewo,” he said.
Police investigations reportedly established that the baby was sold for N2 million. According to the statement, Cecilia received N1 million, while Ebenezer and Oludunni allegedly collected N500,000 each.
The police subsequently rescued the baby and arrested Ebenezer in connection with the case.
However, the command said efforts were still underway to apprehend Folawewo and ensure that everyone linked to the alleged sale faces justice.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable people, urging residents to report suspected cases of child trafficking and similar offences without delay.
They urged members of the public can report emergencies or suspicious activities through the Oyo State Call Response Centre’s toll-free number, 615, or contact the state police command control room on 08081768614 or 07055495413.
The police have yet to announce the arrest of all the suspects allegedly involved in the transaction.
