By PAMELA EBOH Awka

A 38-year-old woman, Chinyere Chukwu, an indigene of Ozubuluin Ekwusigo LGA, Anambra State has been arrested by the officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare for attempting to sell two of her grandsons.

The mother of 11 children was said to have been arrested in Okija alongside her 17 years old daughter, Joy Chukwu, who also is the mother of the boys.

Chukwu met her Waterloo when the commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon Ify Obinabo posed as a buyer for the children following a hint of Chukwu’s willingness to sell off the children.

Disclosing this to journalists in a press statement, the media assistant to the commissioner, Chidinma Ikeanyionwu said that the culprits who confessed to officials of the ministry after their arrest blames the prevailing economic hardship in the country was the reason for their actions.

She 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 that they were kept at the price of N1million each but after serious bargaining the commissioner opted to N1.8million for both children.”

According to her, the suspect developed interest in selling the children after her neighbour successfully sold one of her kids.

She however stressed that this was her first attempt at the business.

It was further gathered that though the suspect had only two kids for her late husband, she also bore the other nine for her lovers, after her husband’s demise.

Ikeanyionwu however said the women affairs commissioner has ordered that the remaining children of the suspect be taken into state government’s custody for proper care while, while Chukwu’s neighbour would be arrested for engaging in the same business.