By Victor Nwegede
A dramatic rescue operation by the Luke Chibueze Adonwe Human Foundation (LACH Foundation), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, has exposed and dismantled a chilling baby-sale syndicate in Ebonyi State, leading to the arrest of a father who sold his own newborn for trafficking.
The disturbing incident, which unfolded in the outskirts of Abakaliki, has sent shockwaves across the state, raising urgent questions about the spread of child trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable women in rural communities.
According to investigations by LACH Foundation, the victim, Mrs. Philomina Iroko, a young mother from Ishieke community, had given birth to a baby boy barely three weeks earlier when tragedy struck.
Her husband, Mr. Chukwuma Igwe Onwe, a patent medicine dealer at Ishieke Market, allegedly deceived her into believing he had arranged a safe place for her to deliver the child.
Unknown to her, however, Onwe had secretly negotiated the sale of the unborn baby months before delivery to a woman who had been childless for 25 years.
In a cruel twist, Onwe reportedly instructed his wife to tell neighbors and relatives that the baby had died shortly after birth. When she resisted, he allegedly threatened to kill her if she ever revealed the truth.
“He told her to lie that the baby was dead,” explained Apostle (Barr.) Luke Chibueze Adonwe, Director-General and Founder of LACH Foundation.
“But Mrs. Iroko, moved by the pain of motherhood, could not keep silent. That’s when concerned neighbors reached out to us," Adonwe further stated.
Acting on the distress call, LACH Foundation team immediately launched an inquiry and discovered that the baby had been sold and hidden away.
Working closely with the Ebonyi State Police Command, the foundation traced the transaction to a buyer in Abakaliki who had allegedly paid for the child before birth.
“We acted quickly. Through community cooperation and the support of the police, we rescued the baby alive and ensured the arrest of both the husband and the woman who purchased the child," Adonwe recounted.
The suspects were apprehended after days of coordinated tracking and are now in police custody pending prosecution.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, stated that investigations were ongoing and that the case would soon be charged to court.
“The suspects are in our custody. We are working with relevant agencies to ensure justice is served. Cases like this highlight the need for vigilance and public cooperation," UKandu said.
When LACH Foundation found Mrs. Iroko, she was in a dire state—traumatized, homeless, and without food.
The foundation immediately took responsibility for her welfare, providing accommodation, food items including bags of rice and garri, with condiments, and financial support.
“When we arrived at her home, we were heartbroken. She had absolutely nothing—no food, no place to lay her head. We provided her with bags of rice, garri, condiments and financial aid to sustain her and her baby.
"But more importantly, we assured her of a new beginning," he disclosed.
The foundation, known for its humanitarian interventions in the Southeast, also announced plans to empower the young mother through skills training and employment assistance.
“We are not stopping here. We will ensure that she regains her dignity and that justice is served on those who tried to destroy her life," Adonwe emphasized.
The partnership between LACH Foundation and the Nigeria Police has been hailed as a model for community-driven law enforcement.
The swift action not only saved a life but exposed a broader network of illegal baby trafficking believed to be operating within and beyond Ebonyi State.
Adonwe urged citizens to report suspicious activities involving pregnant women or infants, stressing that human trafficking syndicates often thrive in silence and poverty-stricken communities.
“Many of these crimes go unnoticed because victims are too afraid or ashamed to speak.
"We must build a culture of vigilance and compassion. Every child’s life is sacred," he declared.
In an emotional interview, Mrs. Iroko expressed profound gratitude to LACH Foundation and the police for rescuing her and her baby from what she described as “the hands of evil.”
“It is only by God’s mercy that my baby and I are alive today,” she said tearfully.
“The man betrayed me, but God used LACH Foundation to save us. I am forever grateful.”
Her ordeal, now a symbol of survival, has reignited public discussions about the rising incidents of child trafficking, forced child sales, and domestic abuse in parts of Nigeria.
Founded by Apostle Barrister Luke Chibueze Adonwe, LACH Foundation has built a reputation for grassroots humanitarian interventions providing legal aid, food support, and education for vulnerable groups across the country.
The organization’s rapid response to Mrs. Iroko’s case reflects its growing role in bridging the gap between law enforcement and community protection.
Adonwe declared: “Our mission is to defend the voiceless. Every child deserves to live. Every woman deserves dignity. And as long as injustice persists, LACH Foundation will continue to act.”
The incident has sparked outrage and soul-searching among residents and advocacy groups in Ebonyi State.
Community leaders have called for stronger surveillance, more robust welfare programs for expectant mothers, and stiffer penalties for traffickers.
Observers warned that without systemic intervention, baby-selling syndicates driven by poverty, infertility, and criminal greed could continue exploiting vulnerable families.
For now, the baby at the center of the scandal is safe, and his mother is rebuilding her life under the care of the LACH Foundation. But the haunting question lingers across Ebonyi:
How many other mothers have been silenced, and how many babies have vanished without a trace?
