In a shocking incident, the Anambra government has apprehended a 38-year-old woman named Chinyere, who allegedly attempted to sell her two sons, aged nine and seven, for N1 million each.
The woman’s 17-year-old daughter, an accomplice in the scheme, was also taken into custody.
Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, revealed the details to the press on Wednesday in Awka. Acting undercover, Obinabo posed as a potential buyer after receiving information about the illicit transaction.
“I heard about the transaction and decided to pose as a buyer. The suspect told me she would sell the boys for N2 million, but after serious negotiations, she settled for N1.8 million,” explained Obinabo.
The culprits, residents of Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area, were lured to Awka to finalize the transaction, leading to their subsequent arrest.
“The state government condemns this kind of act and will continue to intensify efforts to eradicate such crimes. The suspects will be handed over to the police and will be prosecuted accordingly,” asserted Obinabo.
When questioned by reporters, Chinyere, an Ozubulu native in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, cited economic hardship as the motivation behind her shocking decision.
“I had only two kids before the death of my husband and had the other nine children for other men. Ever since, it has been difficult to adequately care for and support them. This is my first attempt. I only developed interest in the business of selling children after my neighbor successfully sold one of her kids,” she confessed.
Chinyere planned to conduct the business with her eldest daughter, with the intention of using the proceeds to fund the daughter’s tertiary education.
Following the interrogation, the commissioner ordered that Chinyere’s other children be taken into the state government’s custody for proper care. Additionally, plans are in motion to apprehend the suspect’s neighbor, and contact tracing will be initiated to retrieve the child that was sold.
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