Authorities in Cross River State have successfully dismantled a baby-selling ring, rescuing a newborn who had been purchased for 3 million Naira through a deceptive pregnancy scheme. Operatives from the Cross River State Homeland Safety and Security Agency (HSSA) carried out the operation in the Akpabuyo Local Government Area.
Four individuals were detained on June 24: Mary Solomon, Patience Akumuruk, Juliet Efut, and Umoh Effiong Edet, who reportedly operated a birth home. The arrests occurred after HSSA personnel intercepted a taxi near Maternity Junction. Investigators uncovered a complex fraud where clients paid to simulate pregnancies for months. During this time, the perpetrators kept a real pregnant woman in hiding; once she gave birth, the infant was transferred to the client, giving the false appearance of a biological birth.
Reports indicate that Mary Solomon was misled by the scheme, having paid the 3 million Naira believing she was receiving legitimate fertility services. All suspects have been transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Calabar for formal investigation. Authorities continue to search for remaining members of this criminal network.
