By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

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Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Ekiti State Liason Office, have confirmed the arrest of two persons over their involvement in buying and selling of a two-month-old baby in Ilupeju -Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area of the State.

The Head of NAPTIP Ekiti Liason office, Mr Oladimeji Samson, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday.

He said the suspects were nabbed in an operation led by Mr Emuze John, a senior officer of the agency from the Headquarters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alongside officers of the agency in Ekiti.

According to the state NAPTIP helmsman, one of the suspects, Ifeoma Ejide, allegedly sold a female baby to one Mrs Funmilayo Ibitoye, who was reported to have bought the baby for N2 million.

Oladimeji said, “My colleagues who came from Abuja in an operation involving a case of a woman that has a baby factory in Owo, Ondo State.

“The woman who allegedly owns the baby factory was arrested in Owo where she sold the baby. Other members of the syndicate were tracked and arrested in Ekiti State.

“The buyer whose husband is based in the United States of America, allegedly bought the baby for N2 million only, but made part payment of N700,000 naira only.

“The woman is currently in our custody, and has also confessed to commission of the crime and that she owns a baby factory.

“This issue of buying and selling of babies is rampant and common in Ekiti State and states within the Southwest region. Most of these people (baby sellers) use herbs to hypnotize their victims and they are told not to visit any hospital so that they won’t be traced to anywhere.

“We asked her how long she has been breastfeeding the child. And she said the first time she gave the baby breast, there was no milk. But subsequently, breast milk started coming.”

In an interview with journalists, one of the suspected syndicate and alleged seller of the baby, Ifeoma Ejide, said she normally treats infertility and assist women who want to be delivered in herbal method.

She added: “I give women herbs, especially those looking for baby and any woman nursing baby.”

Meanwhile, Mrs Ibitoye, the suspected buyer in Ekiti State, denied the allegation and insisted that she delivered the baby and was medically taken care of by Mrs Ejide.

She posited that after her marriage, she waited for almost 25 years before she could have a child.

 “They said I bought baby. But I did not buy any baby. I was arrested in Ilupeju-Ekiti. Although, I didn’t give birth in the hospital, but at the woman’s house in Owo, Ondo State. We normally buy herbs from her for three months at the rate of  N100,000 and N300,000 for nine months.

“After giving birth, she sells the herb N20,000. I paid through transfer. I have been paying through transfers. My sister came with me to Owo to deliver the baby,”she explained.

Officers of the NAPTIP assured that they would carry out more investigations to unravel the syndicates, who they alleged have been in operations in the Soutwest region.