Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested one Gabriel Ekpiri for selling his nine-year-old son for ₦400,000.

Spokesperson for the police in the state, Odiko MacDon, in a statement, said the suspect was arrested by the Quick Intervention Squad of the command.

He said the suspect, during interrogation, confessed to the crime and blamed his action on the economic hardship in the country.

“The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, Olatoye Durusinmi, has condemned the action of one Gabriel Ekpiri, of the Ekit Itam Akpan Obong, in the Itu Local Government Area, who sold his nine-year-old son for ₦400,000,” MacDon said.

“The CP noted that the act was barbaric and totally unacceptable. The suspect who was arrested by the Quick Intervention Squad of the command has confessed to the crime. He blamed the devil and economic hardship for his actions.”