Oyo police rescue baby allegedly sold for ₦2m, arrest mother
By Adejayan Gbenga
The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a one-month-old baby girl allegedly sold for ₦2 million and arrested two suspects, including the infant’s mother and the owner of the health facility where she was delivered.
The police said investigations were ongoing to apprehend other suspects allegedly involved in the incident, which was reported in Ido Local Government Area of Ibadan.
According to a statement issued on Friday, October 16, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the case was reported on October 15 by Mary Amos, a resident of the Ogunwade area of Ido. She reportedly raised concerns over the whereabouts of her granddaughter after her daughter allegedly disappeared with the baby.
Mary told the police that her 23-year-old daughter, Cecilia Amos, gave birth to the girl on September 6, 2026, at Ebepraise Health Centre in Ido. She said Cecilia disappeared with the infant about seven days after delivery and could not satisfactorily explain the child’s whereabouts, prompting suspicions that the baby might have been sold.
Following the complaint, police operatives arrested Cecilia for questioning. During interrogation, she allegedly implicated the owner of the health facility, 40-year-old Dr. Adeleke Ebenezer, and Hassan Oludunni, accusing them of luring her into the arrangement and facilitating the sale of the baby to Odunayo Folawewo.
Police investigations reportedly revealed that the alleged transaction involved ₦2 million. Cecilia allegedly received ₦1 million, while Dr. Ebenezer and Oludunni were each said to have received ₦500,000 from the proceeds of the transaction.
The command confirmed that the baby girl had been rescued and that Dr. Ebenezer had also been arrested. However, the police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend Folawewo and bring all those allegedly involved to justice.
Meanwhile, the police reiterated their commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons, urging members of the public to report suspected cases of child trafficking and related offences. According to the statement signed by DSP Ayanlade, residents can contact the Oyo State Call Response Centre on the toll-free number 615 or the Police Command Control Room on 08081768614 and 07055495413 in emergencies.
