Juliet Jacob Ochenje
A 38-year-old Nigerian woman and her 17-year-old daughter have been arrested for attempting to sell the woman’s nine and seven-year-old sons for the sum of N2 million.
The incident came to light when the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, learned about the transaction and decided to pose as a potential buyer.
The suspects from Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state were lured to Awka to seal the deal.
However, little did they know that Obinabo had alerted the authorities and they were subsequently arrested.
The Commissioner revealed that” Obinabo Said, ” I heard about the transaction and decided to pose as a buyer. The suspect told me she would sell the boys at N2 million but after serious negotiations, she settled for N1.8 million.”
When questioned, the woman confessed that economic hardship in Nigeria pushed her to make this drastic decision.
She explained that she has a total of 11 children and struggling to provide for their basic needs compelled her to resort to such extreme measures.
The state government has strongly condemned this act, vowing to intensify efforts to eradicate such crimes. Stating, “The suspects will be handed over to the police and will face appropriate prosecution.”
The incident has spotlighted the dire economic conditions faced by many Nigerians, emphasising the importance of addressing these issues and providing sufficient support to vulnerable families.
This shocking case serves as a reminder of the desperation that can arise from economic hardship and the need for the government and society to work together to alleviate the suffering of struggling families.
