The Edo State Police Command on Monday paraded a retired nursing officer, Wilfred Egahae, 62, and a woman, Juliet Agbonifo, 45, for allegedly selling and buying a nine-day-old baby girl.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwanbuzor, said the woman was arrested by the Ogida Police Division after a tip-off.

He said, “The divisional police officer in charge of Ogida Police Division got information that a woman, Juliet Agbonifo, 45, had acquired a child at Ogida area and went to the scene, and arrested the woman.”

“The woman took the police to the man, Wilfred Egahae, 62, who sold the child to her for N400,000. The identity of the baby’s mother is unknown and the baby is nine day old,” he said.

He said the suspects would face the court after a thorough investigation.

Wilfred told journalists that one Prosper Peter gave birth in his maternity centre where the baby was sold but he claimed he was not aware of the deal.

“I retired as a Chief Nursing Officer and I now run Uyiosa Clinic and Maternity, at Erunse Street, off Ekhiakpen, Benin where the woman gave birth.

“The mother, Prosper Peter, gave birth in our facility and the buyer was linked to one of our nurses who arranged the deal. I was not involved in the negotiations but I heard that the money was N400,000. I called her today and she said she was coming to the station but she didn’t show up.”

Juliet said she bought the baby because she wanted one.

“I paid N400,000 for the baby and another N20,000 at the hospital and discharge bills.

“I don’t know the baby’s mother and the man (Wilfred) who sold the baby to me said he would do the necessary things to cover the deal.”

She said the police found out about the crime when her son’s girlfriend, who lived with her, reported her to the police because they had a quarrel.