Philomena Iroko, mother of the five-day-old baby boy recently rescued in Ebonyi State after being sold by his father, has made an emotional appeal for support from kind-hearted individuals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help her care for the child.
The newborn, who was reportedly sold just days after birth by his father, Chukwuma Onwe, was recovered by police from the buyer, identified as Chinyere Ugochukwu, on Friday, October 10.
Speaking in Abakaliki on Monday, Iroko explained that Onwe, her live-in partner, deceived her shortly after she gave birth, claiming he would hand the baby over to his sister to assist with care. Unbeknownst to her, the child was allegedly sold for money.
“I didn’t know the woman he gave the baby to had actually bought him,” she said. “It was only after a few days that I learned money had been exchanged. That’s when I began to cry out for help, and thankfully, the police intervened and recovered my son.”
Iroko, who has two other children from a previous relationship, said she had been living with Onwe but was not legally married to him. She also expressed confusion and heartbreak over his decision to sell their child.
“I don’t understand why he did it,” she added. “Now he and the buyer have both been arrested, but I’m left alone with no one to help me care for my baby.”
Appealing for support, she said, “Please, I need assistance from the government, good-spirited individuals, and NGOs so that my child can grow up healthy and safe.”
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Ebonyi State Police Command, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed that both Onwe and the buyer remain in custody while investigations continue into the matter.