The Nigeria Police Force has launched an investigation into allegations of child trafficking involving Tiptop Solution Hospital in Ikotun, Lagos, following claims that a woman who was diagnosed with a twin pregnancy delivered only one baby.
The case, now under the Idimu Area Command in Lagos, emerged after a video circulated on Instagram showed aggrieved individuals protesting at the hospital premises, alleging foul play in the delivery.
According to the video and eyewitness accounts, a scan conducted when the woman was about five months pregnant reportedly showed she was carrying twins. However, after childbirth, the hospital allegedly presented only one baby, sparking suspicion among family members.
Confirming the development, Chief Superintendent of Police, Sadikwu Afolabi, said the matter had initially been reported at the Ikotun division before being escalated.
“Yesterday, somebody came to report on behalf of the wife, but apparently, the husband had gone to the area command, Area M, to report. So, they have to take over, since it’s the area command headquarters handling the matter,” Afolabi said.
In response, the hospital’s Medical Director, Sunday Babajide, denied any wrongdoing, attributing the discrepancy to an error in the earlier scan.
“The scan was wrong, and she did not do another scan in another centre. It was an error; the scan said two instead of one,” Babajide stated.
He maintained that both the woman and her husband were present and aware during the delivery process.
“When the baby was delivered, we invited the husband to the theatre to witness the surgery. The woman herself was not asleep; she was awake. Immediately the baby came out, we informed her that it was one, not two as earlier indicated,” he explained.
Babajide further suggested that external influence may have fueled the allegations.
“It’s a family member that now poisoned their minds to be saying things that do not exist,” he added.
Explaining the possible cause of the scan discrepancy, the medical director noted that timing could affect accuracy.
“If the scan was done in the first trimester, it would clearly show it. But this was done around 20 weeks, and errors can occur at that stage,” he said, admitting that the hospital should have insisted on a follow-up scan for confirmation.
Babajide also confirmed that he had reported to the police station to provide necessary information as investigations continue.
Authorities say the outcome of the probe will determine whether any criminal activity occurred or if the incident was purely a medical error.
