Man Arrested for Attempting to Sell 5-Year-Old Daughter For N1.5m
Bauchi, Nigeria — A shocking incident unfolded in Bauchi State when a 39-year-old man was apprehended while attempting to sell his 5-year-old daughter. Yusuf Umar, a resident of Dagu village in Warji Local Government Area, had allegedly arranged to hand over the child to an unknown buyer for an agreed sum of N1.5 million.
The arrest was made by detectives from the State Police Command, who acted swiftly upon receiving information about the illicit transaction. According to Commissioner of Police Auwal Musa Mohammed, Umar had taken the infant from his estranged wife in Warji LGA, claiming he would deliver her to his sister in Bauchi town. Unbeknownst to the mother, Umar had already negotiated the sale with an undercover police detective.
The accused, who purportedly works for the Warji Local Government area council, was arrested at a hotel in Bauchi after bargaining for a hefty sum. To further ensure his interests, he had even sent N40,000 as transportation fare to the intermediary who connected him with the buyer.
In a tearful confession to journalists, Umar expressed remorse for his actions. “Wallahi, I did not know what came over me to make such a decision,” he said. “It was the handiwork of my enemies who turned my brain upside down. The devil cheated me.”
Despite being divorced from the child’s mother, Umar professed his love for his daughter and pleaded for forgiveness. “I regret my actions,” he said. “I pray that no harm will come to her. I want to see her again.”
Commissioner Mohammed has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Intelligence Department (CID) to discreetly investigate the motives behind Umar’s actions. Once the investigation is complete, the suspect will face charges in court for the established offence.
This heart-wrenching case highlights the importance of vigilance against child trafficking and exploitation. Authorities continue to work tirelessly to protect vulnerable children and bring perpetrators to justice.
