The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a middle-aged man, Chukwuma Onwe, for allegedly selling his five-year-old son for the sum of N1.5 million.
The incident occurred in the Nwezenyi-Igbeagu community, Izzi Local Government Area of the state. The suspect reportedly sold the child to a woman identified as Mrs. Chinyere Ugochukwu.
Police spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Friday, noting that both the seller and the buyer were apprehended at the Azugwu area of Abakaliki.
According to Ukandu, Onwe deceitfully took the child from his fiancée, Mrs. Philomena Iroko, claiming he was handing the boy over to his sister for proper care. Instead, he sold the child.
"The suspect lied to his wife-to-be that he gave the child to his sister for further care. He took the child away by threat and sold him for N1.5 million," the police spokesman said.
Ukandu added that the boy has since been recovered from the buyer and is now in safe custody.
Both suspects are currently in police custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The case has raised renewed concerns over the safety of children and the growing trend of child trafficking in the region.
