Nigeria: A mother sells her baby and buys a phone with the money
A 23-year-old mother was arrested by the Edo State Police Command in Nigeria for allegedly selling her six-week-old baby.
The woman named Miracle Johnson sold the baby, Greatness, to an orphanage in Onitsha, Anambra State, for 200,000 Naira, she was paid in cash and used some of the money raised to buy a cell phone.
Miracle, a mother of two, said that her husband’s frustration and inability to care for her and her other children led her to commit such act.
She also explains that she was convinced by a certain Mama Joy, to sell the child and give the money to her husband to start a business.
“My baby was born on July 2nd. I sold it because of my frustration. My husband was just struggling (to provide for our needs). My friend (Mama Joy) told me since my husband did not take care of me, if I did (sell the baby), I could give him the money to start a business or buy a motorcycle.
“Two weeks later, she came back. I do not know what happened to me. So, I took a bag, collected some things and left.”
“I sold it to an orphanage in Onitsha. The orphanage bought the child for 200,000 Naira. I just bought a phone; I did not want to buy it, but she (Mama Joy) forced me to do it,” she revealed.
And to add that: “I told my pastor what I did and that it was a mistake for which I would never forgive myself. So, my husband and I went to a police station to report the incident. I know that what I did was not good. I pray that my child will forgive me.”
Her husband, Johnson Omovuokpor, speaking on the subject said: “When she told me about her plan, I told her to forget and be patient.”
“That day, I took my bike out for repair. When I got home after looking for money, I saw my first daughter with my neighbour.”
“When I asked where my wife was, I was told that she gone out with a bag, saying that she was going to buy something. So, I remembered what she said she wanted to do with the baby.”
“When she called me later that afternoon to tell me that she had sold the baby, I insulted her and ended the call.”
State Police Commissioner Kokumo said, “It is an act against the laws in Nigeria. Now that we have the woman in our nets, we will certainly drag her to court. The baby will be saved.”
