A shocking case of alleged newborn trafficking has emerged in Rivers State, leading to the arrest of a midwife and a mother. The incident unfolded after a midwife, Success Igwe, and the mother, Happiness Monday, were apprehended by the Rivers State Police Command Monitoring Squad.
According to sources, the police action followed an intelligence report about a building in Rumuokwurusi town, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, suspected to be involved in the illegal sale of newborns. On July 6, 2024, a police team led by CSP Grace Wonwu raided the location and discovered a 17-year-old pregnant teenager, alongside the mother whose baby had been sold.
In an emotional interview, Happiness Monday recounted her ordeal, revealing that she was paid N400,000 for the sale of her baby. She explained that poverty and lack of support drove her to this desperate measure. “I came from Akwa-Ibom to Port Harcourt seeking better opportunities. When I became pregnant, my partner abandoned me, and I was left with no means to support myself or my child,” she said. Monday described how she was eventually forced to live in an uncompleted building after her previous residence was locked by the landlord.
The midwife, Success Igwe, admitted involvement in the transaction, stating it was her first experience in such a case. She revealed that she had facilitated the sale of the baby for N450,000, receiving only N50,000 as delivery charges, with the remainder given to Monday. Igwe also explained that the pregnant teenager, Margret Okonide, was brought to her birth house by her sister, who had knowledge of the pregnancy and requested temporary care for her.
Margret Okonide, the 17-year-old, was found to have communication difficulties, speaking only in her native language, which hindered further investigation. Efforts to gather more information from her have been challenging due to this language barrier.
The arrests have raised serious concerns about the trafficking of newborns and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The Rivers State Police Command continues to investigate the case, aiming to uncover the full extent of the illegal operations and ensure justice is served.
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