Police recover stolen newborn, arrest suspects in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has recovered a newborn baby allegedly stolen from the Family Healthcare Centre in Gboko Local Government Area of the state.

The command also confirmed the arrest of some suspects in connection with the incident, which occurred on Tuesday, shortly after the baby was delivered.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the development in a telephone interview with journalists on Thursday.

Aondongu said some of the suspects had been transferred to the state police headquarters in Makurdi, while others remained in custody at the Gboko Divisional Police Station.

“I can confirm to you that some suspects have been arrested in connection with the theft of a newborn baby in Gboko on Tuesday.

“Some of the suspects were earlier transferred to the state headquarters in Makurdi, while other suspects are in police custody at Gboko Division right now,” he said.

He added, “The baby has also been recovered.”

The baby was reportedly taken from his mother a few hours after delivery, triggering tension at the healthcare facility as relatives, sympathisers and other concerned persons gathered there.

Security operatives were subsequently deployed to the hospital to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

An eyewitness said the suspect allegedly posed as a nurse and approached the mother after she and the baby had been moved to a ward for further care.

According to the eyewitness, the newborn initially failed to cry after delivery, prompting a nurse on duty to intervene before the baby eventually responded.

The mother and baby were subsequently taken to a ward, where the woman allegedly approached the mother, claiming she wanted to examine the baby.

Believing that she was a hospital nurse, the mother reportedly handed the baby to her.

The woman then allegedly headed towards the labour room with the newborn.

The baby’s grandmother, who became suspicious, reportedly followed the woman and stood at the entrance of the labour room.

She was allegedly asked to step aside and assured that everything was under control.

The woman subsequently disappeared with the baby.

The hospital’s nurses reportedly denied taking the newborn from the ward and said the woman who allegedly posed as a nurse was not a member of their staff.

The incident prompted a search for the baby and investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft.

The police have now recovered the newborn and arrested suspects as investigations continue.