Soldiers foil couple’s attempt to sell baby (Page 3)

CALABAR—A couple, who attempted to sell a three-year old boy for N800,000 at Bogobiri area of Calabar, Cross River State, has been arrested by officers of the 13th Brigade Command of the Nigerian Army, in Calabar.
Vanguard gathered that the couple, had come to Bogobiri, a popular Hausa quarters in Calabar, weekend, when soldiers were tipped off and then set to work to accost the couple.
According to the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the 13th Brigade Command of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Olaniyi Osoba,  his Command acted on a tip off over the weekend, when some concerned citizens alerted the army regarding the evil plan of the couple.
He said two military personnel, in plain clothes  were then sent to Bogobiri to pose as buyers of the innocent boy, who the couple were putting up for sale.
The suspects had put a price tag of N1.5 million on the kid, but after negotiations, they agreed to sell the child for N800, 000 and other soldiers, who were planted nearby swung into action and apprehended the couple.
Further investigations revealed that the child may have no biological links with thje couple as he did not exhibit any kindred spirit with the couple.
However, a man who claimed to be the father of the boy, who identified himself as Monday Okpora, a 30-year old man from Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, owned up to the crime, saying he had to do it because of the hardship he was going through.
He said his wife Lovette Okpora, was also involved in the crime.
Lt. Osoba assured  that the couple will be handed over to the state Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.