Newborn stolen by fake nurse in Benue hospital

A newborn baby boy has been allegedly stolen from a healthcare facility in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, shortly after he was delivered.

The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Tuesday after the baby was moved with his mother to a ward for further care.

Sources said the baby did not cry immediately after birth, prompting a nurse on duty to intervene. The newborn later responded normally before he and his mother were transferred to the ward.

According to reports, a woman later approached the mother and identified herself as a nurse who wanted to examine the baby.

The woman allegedly collected the newborn and headed towards the labour room.

The baby’s grandmother, who reportedly became suspicious, followed her and waited at the entrance of the labour room. She was allegedly told to step back and assured that the situation was under control.

The woman reportedly disappeared with the baby shortly afterwards.

Nurses on duty were said to have denied taking the newborn from the ward, insisting that the woman who allegedly posed as a nurse was not a member of the hospital staff.

The incident reportedly caused tension at the facility as relatives, sympathisers and concerned residents gathered to console the mother.

Security personnel were subsequently deployed to the hospital to prevent a breakdown of law and order and restore calm.

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the incident to journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday night.

Aondongu said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for investigation.

He identified the facility as a Family Healthcare Centre in Gboko, adding that the case was being moved to Makurdi because of the attention it had attracted.

The police spokesperson said further details would be provided after investigators obtained more information on the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction.