How Woman was Arrested at Naming Ceremony for Buying Stolen Baby
A 44-year-old woman has been detained by the Lagos State Police Command in Ikorodu for hosting a naming ceremony for a stolen baby. The suspect, Mrs. Mercy Uwam, was apprehended while preparing to rename the baby boy she had purchased from a woman, who in turn had acquired him from a so-called ‘pastor.’
Mrs. Uwam, who had longed for a child after years of marriage without success, revealed her desperation led her to buy the baby through a referral. Despite her efforts to adopt from various orphanages, she was unable to secure a child and turned to the illicit market for help.
On the day of the naming ceremony, Mrs. Uwam was cooking for the event when police officers arrived and arrested her, discovering that the baby was stolen. “I had planned a small gathering to name the baby ‘Favour’ and ‘Chiemerem,'” she said. “I was unaware that the baby was stolen and felt immense shame when the police intervened.”
Mrs. Uwam, married since 2009 and childless, had sought to adopt a child after being told the waiting lists at orphanages were too long. She was introduced to Madam Laurentta, who offered to facilitate the adoption for a fee. Mrs. Uwam paid a total of N2.4 million for the baby, who she was later informed was stolen.
The baby was originally taken from Oredola Street, Agege, Lagos State, on July 11, 2024. Gloria Sunday, a 37-year-old neighbor and mother of two, allegedly abducted the child after being persuaded by a ‘pastor’ named Peter Udoh. Sunday, who fled to Akwa Ibom after selling the baby, claimed she was convinced to bring the child for sale under false pretenses.
Pastor Udoh, who bought the baby from Sunday for N650,000, then sold him to Laurentta Nelson for N1.45 million. Nelson subsequently sold the baby to Mrs. Uwam for N2.3 million.
Mrs. Nelson admitted to purchasing the baby from Udoh and selling him to Mrs. Uwam. She claimed the baby’s hair was cut because Mrs. Sunday lacked funds to celebrate his first birthday.
Mrs. Kemi Shodiya, the baby’s mother, expressed profound relief upon being reunited with her child. She thanked the police and community for their support. “I never suspected anything wrong when she took my baby to church, but when she did not return him as promised, I grew worried.”
The Lagos State Police, directed by CP Adegoke Fayoade, conducted operations leading to the arrest of Gloria Sunday in Akwa Ibom and other involved individuals. Police spokesperson SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that the suspects will face charges in court.
