A woman in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, caused a commotion in a market on Saturday, February 24th, 2024, when she brought a 5-year-old boy, claiming to be her son, and offered him for sale. The incident occurred around 3:40 PM at Bishop Okoye Street in Mile 3 Diobu, leaving customers and traders in shock.
According to a witness, Nelson Tasie, a former Vice Chairman of the Goat Meat Sellers Association in the area, the woman stated that she could no longer care for herself or the child due to extreme hardship and decided to sell him.
Tasie, pressed for time, advised the woman and the child to be taken to the Nkpolu Police Division in Mile 3 Diobu for authorities to investigate the matter. He reported that concerned individuals were accompanying the woman and child to the police station when he left the scene.
The police have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
Reports of similar incidents and contributing factors:
This is not an isolated incident, as several reports indicate similar occurrences in Nigeria. The underlying reasons for such desperate actions are often attributed to the country’s challenging economic climate, including high inflation and living costs, pushing individuals into extreme poverty.
It is important to note that selling a child is a serious crime and illegal in Nigeria. The authorities are responsible for investigating such cases and ensuring the child’s safety and well-being.