The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has launched an investigation into a Lagos-based hospital following allegations of child trafficking after a woman who was reportedly pregnant with twins was delivered of only one baby.
The incident, which has sparked outrage and confusion, is linked to Tiptop Solution Hospital, located in the Ikotun area of Lagos.
According to reports, a viral video circulating on Instagram on Tuesday captured distraught individuals at the hospital premises, questioning the circumstances surrounding the delivery.
The woman at the centre of the controversy had earlier undergone a scan at about five months of pregnancy, which reportedly confirmed she was carrying twins.
However, after childbirth, the hospital presented only one baby, raising suspicions among family members and prompting a formal complaint to the police.
A Chief Superintendent of Police in Ikotun, Sadikwu Afolabi, confirmed on Wednesday that the matter had been escalated to the Idimu Area Command for proper investigation.
“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,” Afolabi said.
In response, the hospital’s Medical Director, Sunday Babajide, denied any wrongdoing, attributing the incident to a medical error in the earlier scan.
“The scan was wrong,” Babajide said. “It indicated two babies instead of one. When the baby was delivered, we invited the husband into the theatre to witness the procedure. He confirmed there was only one baby.”
He further explained that the scan was conducted at around 20 weeks of pregnancy, a stage at which inaccuracies can occur, especially if not confirmed by a follow-up scan.
According to him, the hospital had advised the patient to carry out another scan at a different facility to verify the initial result, but this was not done.
“The mistake we made was not insisting on a second scan elsewhere,” Babajide admitted.
Despite the hospital’s explanation, the case has continued to stir public concern, particularly amid growing fears of possible child trafficking in private health facilities.
Police authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the true circumstances surrounding the incident.
