An Owerri nursing mother has been arrested over an alleged attempt to sell her baby for ₦1.5 million in Imo State, following an intervention involving Imo-based journalist Chidiebube Okeoma and an individual who reportedly discovered the alleged arrangement.
The woman was reportedly arrested on Monday night, November 2, 2026, after information about her alleged intention to sell the child reached Okeoma. The incident unfolded in Owerri, with another woman subsequently drawn into the investigation over claims that she encouraged the mother to sell the baby.
The development has raised concerns about child protection, alleged baby trafficking and the circumstances surrounding the attempted transaction.
How the Owerri Baby Sale Allegation Emerged
According to the account shared by Chidiebube Okeoma, an individual contacted him after reportedly encountering a woman carrying a baby and hearing her discuss plans to sell the child.
The individual reportedly informed the journalist about the conversation, prompting him to intervene and establish whether the allegation could be confirmed.
Rather than immediately confronting the woman, Okeoma reportedly advised the individual to pretend to be interested in purchasing the baby. This allowed them to arrange a meeting with the nursing mother without immediately revealing the purpose of the encounter.
The meeting was scheduled to take place at Rock View, an area close to the Imo State Police Headquarters in Owerri.
The alleged arrangement involved ₦1.5 million, although the available account does not establish whether any money changed hands or whether an actual payment was made.
Chidiebube Okeoma Takes the Woman to Police
The situation reportedly took another turn when the parties arrived at the agreed meeting location.
Okeoma disclosed that he personally drove the nursing mother and the individual who had initially contacted him to the police station, where the woman was handed over to officers.
The intervention brought the alleged baby sale arrangement to the attention of law enforcement authorities.
However, details of the subsequent police interrogation, including the identities of the officers involved and the specific charges being considered, have not been independently established.
The reported arrest has also drawn attention to the role of members of the public in reporting suspected cases involving children and other vulnerable individuals.
Nursing Mother Blames Another Woman
During questioning, the nursing mother reportedly introduced another woman into the matter, alleging that she had encouraged her to sell the baby.
The second woman, however, reportedly denied the allegation and maintained that she had no involvement in the proposed arrangement.
This introduced another dimension to the investigation, as authorities would need to establish whether the second woman had any role in the alleged plan or whether the accusation was unfounded.
The nursing mother also reportedly explained that she considered selling the child because she did not know the baby’s father and lacked the financial resources to provide for the infant.
Child Protection Concerns in Imo State
Beyond the circumstances of the arrest, the incident raises important questions about the protection of vulnerable children and the systems available to support mothers facing financial difficulties.
Imo State is among the Nigerian states that have adopted child rights legislation. The Child Rights Law provides a legal framework for protecting children from exploitation, abuse and other practices that threaten their welfare.
Nigeria’s child protection framework also recognises that children are entitled to care, protection and an environment that safeguards their development.
The distinction between lawful adoption arrangements and the buying or selling of children is particularly important. A child cannot simply be transferred to another person in exchange for money outside the applicable legal procedures.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is also responsible for addressing human trafficking and related forms of exploitation across the country.
Nevertheless, the Owerri incident should not automatically be classified as part of an organised trafficking network without evidence establishing such a connection.
Investigators will need to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged offer, the involvement of the two women and whether anyone else participated in the arrangement.
Investigation and the Baby’s Welfare
With the two women reportedly in police custody, attention is now on the outcome of the investigation and the measures being taken to protect the infant.
The child’s immediate safety, medical condition and long-term welfare should remain central to the authorities’ response.
It is equally important that the allegations against both women are properly investigated before conclusions are drawn about their individual involvement.
For now, the reported ₦1.5 million baby sale attempt remains a developing story. Further clarification from the Imo State Police Command would help establish the official circumstances of the arrest, the status of the infant and whether the suspects will face prosecution.
The incident serves as another reminder of the importance of effective child protection and timely intervention when vulnerable children may be exposed to exploitation.
