In a shocking and heartbreaking incident, a 28-year-old man, Uchenna Eziekwe, revealed that he convinced his wife to sell their two-year-old baby in order to raise money for him to travel abroad. Uchenna, a laborer, and his wife, 22-year-old Chineye, were apprehended by the police while attempting to sell their child at the Isolo General Hospital in Lagos.
The Lagos State Police Command, through its spokesman Benjamin Hudenyin, detailed the arrest, which took place on July 9, 2024. Hudenyin explained, “Around 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Isolo Police Station received information that a couple had expressed their intention to sell their baby boy at the Isolo General Hospital. Upon receiving the information, operatives swiftly moved to the hospital and arrested Uchenna and Chineye Eziekwe just as they were about to sell their child. The baby was rescued, and an investigation is ongoing.”
Speaking to journalists, Uchenna confessed that the idea to sell their baby was his. He cited the harsh economic conditions as the driving force behind the desperate decision. “It was a difficult decision, but we had no choice but to sell our baby,” Uchenna said. “We felt it would be better to sell him to someone who can take care of him than to allow him to die of hunger. I muted the idea and convinced my wife. We had to do it because of hardship. I am a laborer; I go to construction sites to look for work while my wife does nothing. Like I said, it was a hard decision.”
The couple’s plight sheds light on the extreme measures some people are driven to by poverty and lack of opportunities. The Eziekwe family, like many others, struggled to make ends meet, pushing them to consider unimaginable actions. This incident underscores the need for societal and governmental intervention to provide support and opportunities for those in dire straits.
While the baby is now safe, the story serves as a poignant reminder of the lengths to which desperation can drive people. The authorities are continuing their investigation to ensure justice is served and to understand the full extent of the circumstances leading to this tragic decision.
