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Police have rescued a Nigerian baby who was abducted and sold on the black market for approximately $1,800 by a maid in Lagos.
The kidnapping occurred early Saturday when Ruth Okezie, the domestic worker, vanished from the child's home in Shomolu around 2 a.m. Okezie came from Anambra State and was hired through an agency.
Okezie was discovered in Ikorodu without the baby after the family issued a social media alert. She admitted to selling the infant for 800,000 naira ($1,800).
An intense police manhunt was launched to locate the missing baby. Officers discovered the abandoned child at a Shomolu market on Monday morning. She was promptly rescued and unharmed.
Authorities believe the unknown buyer panicked under mounting pressure and abandoned the baby to avoid being apprehended. The suspect remains at large as police continue their investigation.
The overjoyed family positively identified and reunited with their baby, grateful that she had been safely returned following the traumatic ordeal. They credited social media and a quick police response with bringing their nightmare to an end.
The case highlights the widespread practice of child theft for illegal adoption in Nigeria. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of online community and police collaboration in combating predatory crimes. One family's precious baby has returned home thanks to tenacious detective work.
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