Security operatives in Cross River State have successfully dismantled a baby-selling syndicate, rescuing a newborn who had been sold for ₦3 million through a carefully planned fake pregnancy scheme.

The Cross River State Homeland Safety & Security Agency (HSSA) arrested four suspects in Akpabuyo after intercepting a taxi that was carrying the infant. Among those taken into custody was Umoh Effiong Edet, the operator of a delivery home allegedly used in the operation.

According to authorities, the syndicate’s method involved clients who would pretend to be pregnant, while the real mother was hidden away until she gave birth. The baby was then passed off as the client’s child and sold.

The case has been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for prosecution. Investigations so far suggest this scheme is part of a much larger network.

In a related twist, authorities noted that one of the suspects had herself been misled into believing she was giving birth legitimately, meaning she was also a victim of a related scam.