Nurses, soldier nabbed for newborn theft in Cross River

Two nurses and a serving female soldier have been arrested in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State over the alleged theft and sale of a newborn baby.

The incident came to light after the baby’s mother, 19-year-old Justina Valentine Boniface from Aningeje village, raised an alarm.

Boniface said she gave birth to a baby boy on August 12 at the Primary Health Centre, Aningeje, where she had been attending antenatal care.

She alleged that while she was asleep on the night after delivery, two nurses on duty — Ndifon Nelly Ekpu, 45, and Obi Mary Baken, 38 — conspired to take her child.

The young mother recounted that the nurses told her the baby had died and been buried within the facility.

Suspicious of their claim, she investigated and discovered it was false, leading her to report the matter to the police.

Police authorities confirmed the arrest of the two nurses, who allegedly confessed to selling the baby to a buyer — identified as W/Sgt. Aisha Yakubu, a serving member of the Nigerian Army.

Yakubu has also been arrested.

Investigations are ongoing to apprehend the final recipient of the stolen child and ensure the baby’s recovery.