23 year old mother sells 6-weeks-old baby; uses money to buy new phone

The Edo state police (Nigeria) command have apprehended a 23-year-old mother of two, Miracle Johnson, for selling her six-weeks-old baby and using proceeds from the transaction to buy herself a phone.

According to a report by Punch, Miracle who hails from Agenebode in Etsako East local government area of the state, sold her baby, Greatness, to an orphanage in Onitsha, Anambra State, for N200,000.

Miracle said she was pushed to sell her baby because of financial hardship being experienced by herself and her husband.

In her own words,

“My baby was born on July 2. I sold her due to frustration. My husband was just struggling (to provide for us). My friend (Mama Joy) said that since my husband was not taking care of me, if I did it (sold the baby), I could give the money to my husband to start a business or buy a motorcycle. Two weeks later, she came back. I did not know what happened to me. So, I carried a bag, picked some things and left. I sold her to an orphanage in Onitsha. The orphanage bought the child for N200,000. I just bought only a phone; I did not want to buy it, but she (Mama Joy) forced me to do so.

I told my pastor what I did and that it was a mistake for which I would never forgive myself. So, my husband and I went to a police station to report. I know what I did was not good. I pray that my child will forgive me.”

When interrogated, her husband, Johnson Omovuokpor, was angry that his wife still sold their child despite his disapproval of her plan.

“When she told me about her plan, I told her to forget about it and exercise patience. On that day, I took my motorcycle out for repairs. When I went back home to get some money, I saw my first daughter with my neighbour. When I asked about my wife’s whereabouts, I was told that she went out with a bag, saying that she was going to buy something. So, I remembered what she said she wanted to do with the baby. When she called me later in the afternoon to tell me that she had sold the baby, I cursed her and ended the call. I became confused afterwards and could not do anything for the rest of that day.”

The Commissioner of Police in the state said the baby would be rescued while the suspect would be charged to court.