Cross River Authorities Rescue Newborn, Arrest Seven in Alleged Baby Sale Plot

Security forces in Calabar, Cross River State, have arrested seven people suspected of trying to sell a one‑day‑old baby boy for ₦3 million during a raid coordinated by the Nigerian Army’s 13 Brigade and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

The operation was carried out on Tuesday at Glorious Amazing Grace Hospital in the Ikot Ekpo area after receiving detailed and credible intelligence about a suspected human trafficking network operating in the region.

Troops moved in while negotiations for the sale of the newborn were allegedly underway. Officials described the attempt as a serious violation of Nigerian law and a breach of children’s rights.

Those taken into custody include adults from Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State. After their arrest, they were handed over to NAPTIP officials along with relevant evidence for further investigation and prosecution under Nigerian law.

The rescued infant has been placed under the care of appropriate authorities as investigations continue.

Security officials stressed their commitment to working with civil authorities to fight human trafficking, child abuse, and other criminal activity, and urged the public to keep providing credible information to help protect vulnerable persons.