Father gives child as collateral for N180,000 to pay house rent in Cross River
A couple has been arrested by the police in Cross River for allegedly trafficking their two-year old first son to an agent in Port Harcourt.
The couple, Daniel Bassey and Magdalene Bassey, were both arrested on July 23 following investigation by the police into allegations of child trafficking.
Magdalene had initially reported her husband to the police that he gave out the child to a trafficking agent for an undisclosed amount of money.
Police boss in the state, Hafiz Inuwa while parading the suspects on Tuesday (today) told newsmen that during interrogation, Daniel revealed that his wife was a party to the transaction.
“The duo are now in police custody to unravel the cause of this inhuman action and possible prosecution,” Inuwa said.
Daniel told NAN that he gave out the child as collateral for N180,000 to help him pay his house rent.
“I did it based on the debt of N21,000 I collected from a friend to pay my house rent,” he said.
“There is no work in this rainy season and I am jobless. A guy from my area informed me that he knows a woman who lends money to people.
“That my friend told me that I can give out the child as collateral to get the money without necessarily selling him.
“The woman gave me N180,000 immediately after she received the child.
“After that, my mother in-law came and asked me of the child and I lied to her that I took the baby to my brother for holiday,” he said.
