The Delta State Police Command has apprehended two women, Tessi Ikechukwu and Lauretta Akomen, for allegedly stealing and selling a three-day-old baby for N2 million. The shocking revelation came after a patriotic tricycle rider reported the suspicious activity to the authorities.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Thursday, detailing how the tricycle rider’s quick thinking led to the rescue of the newborn.
“On October 1, 2024, at around 6:30 p.m., a tricycle operator reported that while on his daily route, four women boarded his vehicle. At Efurrun Roundabout, two of the women alighted, and one handed over a newborn baby to the remaining passengers in the tricycle. He overheard one of the women saying, ‘the balance has been paid,’ which made him suspicious,” SP Edafe stated.
The tricycle driver diverted the remaining two women, Tessi Ikechukwu and Lauretta Akomen, to the Ekpan Police Station, where a thorough investigation began. It was discovered that the baby was bought for N2 million from a traditional home in Port Harcourt, which houses pregnant teenage girls who are exploited to sell their newborns.
One of the suspects, Lauretta Akomen, aged 38, admitted that she had taken drugs to appear pregnant while facilitating the illegal transaction. The police have since launched a manhunt for Gloria, an agent who acted as a middlewoman between the buyers and the home.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, commended the tricycle rider for his vigilance and urged citizens to emulate his example of civic responsibility.
