The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a middle-aged man, Mr. Chukwuma Onwe, a native of Nwezenyi Igbeagu in Izzi Local Government Area, for allegedly selling his five-day-old baby boy for ₦1.5 million. The arrest followed an intelligence-led operation by police operatives in the Azugwu area of Abakaliki, where both Onwe and the buyer, identified as Mrs. Chinyere Ugochukwu, were apprehended. The shocking incident has drawn widespread condemnation from residents, who described it as a heartbreaking case of greed and moral decay.
Confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, said in a statement that the baby was successfully recovered from the buyer. “Mr. Chukwuma Onwe sold his five-day-old son to Mrs. Chinyere Ugochukwu for ₦1.5 million. He has been arrested and is currently in police custody,” Ukandu stated. He further revealed that the police acted swiftly after receiving credible information about the transaction, leading to the recovery of the child in good health.
According to police investigations, Onwe allegedly deceived his wife, Mrs. Philomena Iroko, by claiming he was taking their newborn for medical care. Instead, he sold the baby to Mrs. Ugochukwu and later lied that he had handed the infant over to his sister for better care. The mother, unaware of her husband’s plan, reportedly raised alarm after days without seeing her baby, prompting police intervention. The incident has sparked outrage across Ebonyi State, with many calling for justice for the mother and the infant.
SP Ukandu confirmed that the baby has since been reunited with his mother, while the suspects remain in custody as investigations continue. He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to child trafficking to the authorities. The command, he added, remains committed to combating all forms of criminality, especially those targeting vulnerable groups such as women and children.
