The Lagos State Government has warned against illegal child adoption, declaring that any transaction involving payment for children amounts to child trafficking and will attract prosecution.

The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development Bolaji Ogundele, who gave the warning at a news conference yesterday, said the government would continue to crack down on illegal adoption syndicates and individuals bypassing approved procedures.

The commissioner condemned reports that some prospective adopters allegedly pay as much as N5 million to obtain children. He said: “We will not regard that as processing adoption, we will regard that as buying a child.

“If you are buying a child, it is illegal “Those that we have gotten wind of, we have prosecuted and we will continue to prosecute irrespective of who you are or where you are coming from.” According to him, every legal adoption conducted within Lagos must pass through the ministry and approved channels, including recognised international partners handling overseas adoption cases.

Ogundele said all foreign adoption applications are expected to come through accredited partners registered with the relevant authorities in their respective countries.