The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a medical doctor, a traditional birth attendant, and the parents of a newborn baby over the alleged sale of the child for N2.5 million.

According to police sources, the 28-year-old mother and her boyfriend reportedly decided not to keep the baby and sought assistance in finding a buyer before the child was born. Through intermediaries, they were allegedly connected to a prospective buyer in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.

The expectant mother was initially taken to a traditional birth attendant for delivery but was later transferred to a private hospital following complications during labour. A 31-year-old medical doctor reportedly performed a successful Caesarean section that saved both mother and child.

Investigators allege that arrangements for the baby’s sale were finalised shortly after delivery within the hospital premises, and the newborn was handed over to an unidentified buyer for N2.5 million.

The case was transferred from Area E Command, Festac, to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on the directive of Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani. The Anti-Human Trafficking and Gender Unit of the SCID is currently investigating allegations of conspiracy, child stealing, and human trafficking.

Police sources said efforts to locate the buyer have so far failed after the address and phone number provided were discovered to be false. The matter reportedly came to light when the baby’s mother complained she received only N700,000 from the agreed N2.5 million payment, prompting intervention by non-governmental organisations that alerted the police.

The doctor, the baby’s parents, and the traditional birth attendant remain in custody and are expected to be charged upon the conclusion of investigations, while efforts continue to rescue the child and apprehend the buyer.