Update: Woman arrested for allegedly stealing newborn baby from Benue hospital

Police have arrested a woman for allegedly stealing a newborn baby in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday at a healthcare centre after the baby was taken to a ward with his mother for further care following his delivery. 

Activist Zege Orkwande, who confirmed the development on Thursday, said the suspected child trafficker was arrested at Adekaa in Gboko. 

“Following good intel, she was tracked through Okada from Tarka LGA and arrested in Gboko. Meanwhile, about nine (9) persons were arrested and detained at Benue State Police Command, Makurdi,” he added.

According to Daily Trust, the baby did not cry immediately after birth, prompting a nurse on duty to intervene before the newborn eventually responded normally.

Consequently, the mother and baby were moved to a ward, but a woman allegedly approached the mother, claiming to be a nurse who wanted to examine the baby again.

The woman allegedly collected the newborn from his mother and headed towards the labour room while the baby’s grandmother, sensing something was wrong, reportedly followed the woman and stood at the entrance of the labour room.

However, she was allegedly asked to step back and was assured that everything was under control, prompting her to comply.

The woman was said to have disappeared with the baby shortly afterwards. 

The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the incident to journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday night. 

Aondongu said the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further probing.

He said the case happened at a Family Healthcare centre in Gboko but was being transferred to Makurdi for further investigation.

The PPRO has not confirmed the arrest of the suspect.