A 45-year-old man, Paul Achegbulu, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for operating an illegal blood bank where he lures children with N2,000 to donate blood.
Achegbulu was arrested by a team led by the Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, on Tuesday from his one-room apartment where he operated from at 18 Kusa Bus Stop, Bariga area of the state.
He also lived in the apartment with his wife and baby.
The suspect’s action was blown open when he drew four points of blood from a 17-year-old victim, Ayomide Adesanya, within six days. Although Achegbulu, who claims to be a lab scientist, drew the first two pints on June 4, Adesanya collapsed during the drawing of the second two pints on June 10.
The suspect paid the victim N2,000 on each occasion, but confessed to selling a pint for N7,000.
Speaking during Achegbulu’s arrest, the Imohimi said, “Adesanya became weak after donating four pints of blood. He collapsed and is currently receiving treatment at the Bariga Hospital.
“The mother told us that the daughter’s friend informed them of Adesanya’s condition after she saw him on a bike.”
However, Achegbulu said he did not know that the victim was only 17, stating that Adesanya had claimed to be 20.
The suspect further confessed to selling the blood at N7,000 per pint through an accomplice identified as Alfa, who is now at large.