By Adeyinka Adeniran
Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have rescued a one-month-old baby girl sold for N2 million in the Ido Local Government Area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The police also arrested two suspects, including the baby’s 23-year-old mother, Cecilia Amos, and the owner of the health facility where the child was delivered, Dr. Adeleke Ebenezer, 40, in connection with the crime.
The development was disclosed in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Oyo State Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.
According to the police spokesperson, the case was reported on October 15, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m. by the suspect’s mother, Mary Amos, a resident of the Ogunwade area of Ido.
The complainant told the police that her daughter gave birth to a baby girl on September 6, 2026, at Ebepraise Health Centre in Ido, but disappeared with the child about seven days after delivery, failing to give a satisfactory account of the baby’s whereabouts.
Acting on the report, police operatives arrested Cecilia for interrogation, during which she confessed to selling the newborn with the help of the medical practitioner and another suspect currently at large, identified as Hassan Oludunni.
“During interrogation, she confessed that Dr. Adeleke Ebenezer, 40, owner of the health facility, and Hassan Oludunni, lured her into the arrangement and facilitated the sale of the baby to Odunayo Folawewo,” Olayinka said.
The PPRO stated that investigation revealed the transaction involved N2 million, out of which the mother received N1 million, while Dr. Adeleke and Hassan Oludunni received N500,000 each.
Olayinka added that following prompt police action, the one-month-old baby girl was successfully rescued and Dr. Adeleke arrested, while manhunt is ongoing for the buyer, Odunayo Folawewo, and other fleeing accomplices.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable persons, while urging members of the public to promptly report suspected cases of child trafficking and related offences to security agencies.
