The Anambra State Government, acting through the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, has arrested a 38-year-old woman, Chinyere Chukwu, as she tried to sell her two sons for N1.8 million. Shockingly, Chukwu’s 17-year-old daughter, Joy, was allegedly involved in this distressing scheme.
Chukwu, a resident of Okija in the Ihiala Local Government Area, justified her actions during interrogation, citing economic hardship as the motive behind selling two of her 11 children.
Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, led a covert operation, posing as a buyer to apprehend the suspects when information about the transaction surfaced.
Chukwu confessed to her desperation, explaining, “I developed an interest in the business after my neighbour successfully sold one of her kids. This was my first attempt at the business.” She revealed that the decision stemmed from her inability to provide adequate care for her large family.
The eldest daughter, Joy, disclosed that the plan was to use the proceeds for her tertiary education.
In response to the alarming situation, Commissioner Obinabo ordered the remaining children to be taken into the state government’s custody for proper care.
She pledged to apprehend the woman’s neighbor who had sold off her own child, ensuring that the child would be traced and retrieved.
Obinabo firmly declared the state government’s commitment to eliminating such crimes, warning that individuals engaging in such acts would be handed over to the police for prosecution.
