Social media activist Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has announced the rescue of a newborn baby allegedly stolen at birth from a hospital in Owerri, Imo State, and sold for ₦4.5 million following a coordinated police operation across multiple states.
VDM disclosed the development in a Facebook post on Thursday, crediting operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) led by ACP Victor for the swift investigation and rescue of the child.
“I am happy to announce to everyone that the baby that was stolen from her mom at birth and was sold have been rescued by STS under the leadership of ACP Victor,” he wrote.
According to him, the case was first reported to his office by the baby’s mother, Chioma, on April 25, 2026, before being escalated to the STS office in Abuja for immediate action.
He explained that the matter was presented to the Commander of the Special Tactical Squad, who allegedly took personal interest in the case and secured approval from senior police authorities for urgent intervention.
VDM stated that operatives of the STS were deployed to Imo State on April 26, where the initial arrest was made, while the suspect was transferred to Abuja for further interrogation the following day.
“On the 26th April members of STS moved to Imo State to make an arrest which was successful and on the 27th the suspect was brought down to Abuja for further investigations,” he said.
According to the activist, the suspect later confessed that the baby had been sold to a lawyer for ₦4.5 million, prompting a follow-up operation that extended to Lagos State.
He further claimed that the lawyer involved in the alleged transaction was arrested in Lagos, and the baby was successfully recovered during the operation.
“After the confession, the STS police moved to Lagos State where they apprehended the lawyer and rescued the baby,” he added.
VDM said all suspects are currently in custody in Abuja, while arrangements are underway to formally reunite the child with her biological mother.
The case first gained public attention after VDM shared a video of the mother, Chioma, narrating a disturbing chain of events that led to the baby’s disappearance.
Chioma, who described herself as a mother struggling financially, said she was introduced to surrogacy arrangements in Aba before the situation allegedly escalated into exploitation and trafficking.
She claimed she gave birth at a general hospital in Owerri on April 7, 2026, after which a nurse identified as Agatha assisted with delivery.
Chioma alleged that her baby was taken from her shortly after birth by a woman named Chinelo, who had earlier been involved in arranging the pregnancy deal.
She further claimed that ₦1.5 million was later deposited into her account, after which she was informed that the baby had already been sold and nothing could be done.
Authorities are yet to issue an official public statement on the case, but the development has sparked widespread reactions online, with calls for stricter enforcement against child trafficking networks.
