Oyo Baby Trafficking Scandal: Mother, Doctor Arrested Over Alleged ₦2m Sale of Infant

The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a one-month-old baby girl allegedly sold for ₦2 million in Ido Local Government Area of Ibadan, arresting the child’s mother and the owner of the health facility where she was delivered.

The incident came to light after the baby’s grandmother, Mary Amos, reported the child’s disappearance to the police on October 15, 2026, raising concerns that the infant might have been sold.

According to the police, Mary told investigators that her 23-year-old daughter, Cecilia Amos, gave birth to the baby girl on September 6 at Ebepraise Health Centre in Ido. She reportedly said her daughter disappeared with the child about seven days after delivery and could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the baby’s whereabouts.

Following the complaint, police operatives arrested Cecilia for questioning. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the mother allegedly implicated the owner of the health facility, 40-year-old Dr Adeleke Ebenezer, and another person, Hassan Oludunni, in the arrangement.

According to the police account, Cecilia alleged that the two men lured her into the arrangement and facilitated the transfer of the baby to a person identified as Odunayo Folawewo.

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The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the alleged transaction involved ₦2 million. Cecilia reportedly received ₦1 million, while Ebenezer and Oludunni allegedly received ₦500,000 each.

Police subsequently rescued the baby and arrested Ebenezer in connection with the case. The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the other suspects, including the alleged buyer, and bring everyone linked to the incident to justice.

The police have not reported the conclusion of the investigation or any court determination of the allegations. The arrested suspects are entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty by a court of law.

The case has renewed attention on child trafficking and the protection of vulnerable children, particularly newborns who depend entirely on adults for their safety and care.

The Oyo State Police Command urged members of the public to report suspected cases of child trafficking and other offences involving vulnerable persons promptly.

Residents can contact the Oyo State Call Response Centre on its toll-free line, 615, or reach the police command’s control room on 08081768614 or 07055495413 to report emergencies or suspected criminal activity.