Ekiti Baby-Selling Scandal: NAPTIP Cracks Down on Human Trafficking Ring
In a startling revelation, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has apprehended two women in Ekiti State for their alleged involvement in a nefarious baby-selling operation. The suspects were caught red-handed in Ilupeju Ekiti, within the Oye local government area, engaging in the illicit trade of a newborn for the sum of N2 million.
Oladimeji Samson, the head of NAPTIP’s Ekiti liaison office, briefed the press on the details of the sting operation, which was spearheaded by Emuze John from the agency’s headquarters, alongside local officers. The primary suspect, Ifeoma Ejide, is accused of selling a baby girl to Mrs. Funmilayo Ibitoye, whose husband resides in the United States.
The case, which stretches beyond state borders, led the NAPTIP team to Owo in Ondo State, where they uncovered a ‘baby factory’—a term used to describe locations where infants are illegally traded. The woman responsible for the sale confessed to her role in the operation, shedding light on a disturbing trend that plagues the region.
Samson highlighted the challenges faced in combating this issue, noting that many buyers resort to traditional remedies to avoid hospital visits and subsequent tracking. In a particularly heart-wrenching detail, one of the women admitted to struggling with breastfeeding the purchased infant, indicating a lack of natural maternal connection.
This incident is not isolated but linked to a series of similar cases, signalling a deep-rooted problem that NAPTIP is determined to eradicate. As the investigation unfolds, the agency vows to bring all involved to justice and put an end to the exploitation of the innocent.
