Anambra woman detained for trying to sell grandsons

By Hannah Nathan, Warri

Chinyere Chukwu, 38, was taken into custody by representatives of the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare after she tried to sell two of her grandsons.

Alongside her 17-year-old daughter, Joy Chukwu, who is the boy’s mother, the mother of eleven was taken into custody.

Chukwu was taken into custody on a tip from Hon. Ify Obinabo, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, who pretended to be a buyer for the children.

In a press release, the commissioner’s media assistant, Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, stated that the offenders attributed their acts to the nation’s ongoing economic suffering.

Ikeanyionwu said: “Chinyere explained that she had 11 kids and couldn’t cater for them, hence her decision.

“The suspect said that since they were boys they were kept at the price of N1 million each but after serious bargaining, the commissioner opted for N1.8 million for both children.

“She said she developed an interest in selling the children after her neighbour successfully sold one of her kids. She said this was her first attempt at the business.”

The suspect is from Ozubulu, but according to information obtained, she was detained in Okija, where she lives with her kids.

Subsequent investigation revealed that the woman had given birth to nine children for her lovers after her husband’s death, despite having only two children with her late husband.

Ikeanyionwu stated that Chukwuneighbour would also be detained for conducting the same business and that the women affairs commissioner had ordered that the suspect’s surviving children be placed in the state government’s care for appropriate upbringing.