How 14-month-old stolen baby, sold to three persons was rescued

In the bustling streets of Oredola in Oko-Oba, Lagos, a mother’s worstnightmare became a reality on July 11, 2024, after her closest neighbor absconded with her one-year-two-month-old child, leaving her with a sense of unease and emotional trauma.

The days that followed were a blur of shock and grief for her, as she struggled to come to terms with the loss of her precious baby. Fate finally smiled on her 15 days later after policemen attached to the New Oko-Oba Division of the Lagos State Police Command traced the baby to Ikorodu, Lagos, where he was bought for N2.3 million.

It was gathered that the baby had been sold to not one, not two, but three different persons in Akwa-Ibom and Ogun states before his final destination in Ikorodu. Each time, the baby had been passed off as a legitimate adoption, with fake documents and convincing stories. Coincidentally, the latest buyer, Mrs. Mercy Uwam, was having the naming ceremony of the baby the same day of the arrest.

At the end of the painstaking investigation, five persons, among them the fleeing neighbor and a Pastor, have been arrested.

In this interview with Crime Guard, the arrested neighbor and mother of two, 37-year-old Gloria Sunday, alleged that she was convinced by Pastor Peter Udoh (one of the suspects) to bring the baby for sale.

She said: “I have been living in the same compound with the mother of the baby for two years. On that fateful day, I took the child to church. At the close of service, I took him to Ikene, Ogun State, to Pastor Peter’s place. He said he wanted to give him to somebody that needed a baby. He assured me that the person would take care of the baby. He bought him for N650,000, and I went to my village in Akwa-Ibom, from where I was arrested. I regret my actions; it was the handiwork of the devil”, she stated.

But Pastor Peter Udoh (63) said Mrs. Sunday told him the baby was her late sister’s and that she could not take care of him. According to him: “Gloria Sunday never told me she stole the child. She said he was her late sister’s baby and that she couldn’t take care of him because she has five children of her own. That was why I asked her to come with the baby. I contacted Mrs. Laurentta (another suspect), who bought the baby for N1.450 million.”

The third suspect, Loretta Nelson (54), admitted that she bought the baby from Pastor Udoh and sold him to Mrs Mercy Uwam for N2.3 million. She admitted also to have realized N900,000 from the sale.

She said: “Pastor and I met at 2nd Rainbow. He said the baby’s mother was dead, and his sister (Gloria) could not care for him because she is a widow. I noticed that the baby’s hair was improperly cut. When I asked, he said Gloria cut the baby’s hair because she didn’t have money to celebrate his one-year birthday. Thereafter, I contacted Mercy (another suspect), who bought the baby for N2.3 million.”

Renewed

hope dashed

The last buyer, with whom the baby was eventually found after two weeks and one day of hazardous search, Mrs. Mercy Uwam, sat huddled among the group of arrested individuals, her body language exuding defeat and despair. Her head was bowed, her eyes cast downward, as if unable to meet the gaze of this reporter when approached.

She wrapped her arms tightly around her torso, as if trying to protect herself from the harsh reality of her situation. When asked why she was the guest of the Police, with eyes brimming with tears that seemed to well up from the very depths of her soul, the 44-year-old woman said: “I got married in 2009 without having a child of my own. I have visited many motherless babies’ homes in Anambra, Ogun and Lagos states and I was told the number of people who wanted to adopt was very large. In the process of my search, somebody referred me to Madam Laurentta (pointing to the suspect next to her), who said she could be of help but that I needed to pay N50,000 as registration fee. After some months, she called me to say she had a baby boy ready. I took the child, paid her N2.4 million, including N50,000 for registration.

“I was happy and took the baby home. There were spots on his body; I bought medicine and food for him. I was taking care of the baby, unknown to me that he was stolen. By the way, I did not seek my husband’s consent when I made the payment. He was once married and has a child. But I needed mine. I felt he was not interested because he already has his. When he came back, he was not happy with me.

“On Friday, July 26, 2024, I decided to have the naming ceremony. I intended to name him Favour, as his Christian name and Chiemerem ( meaning God has done it for me). I just wanted a small gathering of ten people for the naming ceremony. I was cooking for the occasion when the Police came and arrested me,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper.

Tears of Joy

While Mercy’s tears were those of regret and the sad reality of the situation she was enmeshed in, those of the mother of the baby, Mrs Kemi Shodiya were of joy and relief. She said the moment of reuniting with her once-lost baby was like a balm to her soul.

Expressing appreciation to the Police for being instrumental in her joy, she narrated:

“The children of the woman who stole my baby usually came to play with my children. I never raised an eyebrow the day she took my baby to church because that was not the first time she was taking him to church. They left by 5 pm, but by 8 pm, when they were supposed to return, I started looking for her. I called her phone, but it was switched off. It took us two weeks and one day of waiting and praying. By the time I got my baby, his hair had been cut. I thank Oko-Oba Police Station, my neighbors, in-law, and my traditional ruler. I learned never to be too trusting.”

The Crime Guard gathered that Divisional Police Officer, Oko-Oba , CSP Waliu Yusuf, on the directive of the Lagos State Police boss, CP Adegoke Fayoade, led a team of policemen to Akwa-Ibom state where the fleeing neighbor, Gloria Sunday was arrested. Her arrest led to others’ arrest and the rescue of the stolen baby.

All the suspects, according to spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hudenyin, have been charged to court.