SASA says a newborn was rescued unharmed after a mother and alleged accomplice were arrested over an alleged illegal adoption arrangement in Awada

The Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad Agency, in collaboration with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, has arrested a mother and an alleged accomplice over the reported sale of a newborn for N2.9m in Awada, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

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The mother, identified simply as Miss Chioma, and Precious Uchenna, described as a prophetess and the alleged prime suspect, were arrested following intelligence gathering by SASA’s Women and Child Trafficking Investigation Unit and assistance from community members.

During interrogation at the SASA office on Friday, Chioma reportedly said Uchenna took custody of her baby shortly after she gave birth and subsequently facilitated the child’s transfer to another woman with the involvement of another person.

Chioma said she received N300,000 from the transaction, while the remaining proceeds were allegedly retained by Uchenna. She also said the alleged accomplice rented accommodation for her after the transaction.

Uchenna, however, gave a different account during questioning, claiming that her actions were motivated by a desire to help Chioma, whom she said was facing difficult circumstances.

She said she had previously provided accommodation for Chioma after the young mother was allegedly rejected by members of her family during pregnancy.

However, when questioned about the financial arrangement, Uchenna reportedly could not explain why Chioma received only N300,000 from the N2.5m allegedly generated from the transaction, while the balance was retained by her.

The circumstances surrounding the remaining N400,000 needed to reconcile the reported N2.5m transaction figure with the N2.9m alleged overall value have not been clarified by the authorities.

Speaking with journalists after the interrogation, SASA Managing Director Monday Nwokoye said the suspects were arrested in different locations after intelligence was gathered following reports of an alleged illegal adoption involving a newborn.

Nwokoye said the case was a “condemnable” act and warned against transferring children through private arrangements outside the legally prescribed process.

“No individual has the authority to transfer the custody of a child or adopt a child through ‘private arrangements’ without the involvement of the appropriate government agencies and law enforcement authorities,” he said.

Nwokoye described the incident as alleged child trafficking carried out under the guise of religion and urged residents to remain vigilant when they encounter suspicious activities involving children.

“This is child trafficking carried out under the guise of religion,” he said, adding that people should not remain silent when they notice activities that could endanger vulnerable persons.

He said public cooperation remained essential to tackling crime and encouraged residents to report suspicious activities promptly.

“Following the interviews and preliminary investigation, the suspects were officially handed over to the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs for further investigation and appropriate legal action,” Nwokoye added.

The agency said the baby was subsequently traced and rescued unharmed. Officials confirmed that the child was found safe and was receiving the necessary care while the legal process continued.

The rescue provided a measure of relief in a case that has raised concerns about the vulnerability of young mothers and the risks associated with informal child custody arrangements.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Chinyere Onyekesi, said the discovery was made with the assistance of SASA operatives.

Onyekesi said preliminary findings indicated that the infant, born to a young woman from Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area, was allegedly sold for N2.9m.

She said the biological mother reportedly received N300,000 from the transaction, while the remaining amount was allegedly retained by the prime suspect.

The commissioner condemned the alleged transaction and stressed that no individual had the authority to transfer custody of a child through private arrangements.

She said matters involving adoption, child custody and child welfare must be handled through established legal procedures designed to protect children and vulnerable families.

The authorities have not disclosed the identity of the woman who allegedly received the baby or the other person said to have been involved in the transaction.

The investigation is expected to determine the full circumstances surrounding the alleged sale, establish the roles of all persons involved and guide subsequent legal action.

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The allegations against the suspects have not been tested in court, and they remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty.