Police in Niger State say they have arrested a 24-year-old, Chidi Johnson also known as Yaron Pastor, of Abdulsalam Quarters in Minna for allegedly stealing a newborn baby.
The incident, which occurred around the Mobil roundabout area on July 14, was reported at the A Division, Minna, prompting the detectives of the Division to immediately commence investigation and deploy technical intelligence, which led to the arrest of the suspect.
In a statement by the police spokesman, Superintendent Wasi’u Abiodun, said during investigation, the suspect confessed that a 22-year-old Zainab Ibrahim of Alagbado area, Minna, but residing in Sokoto State, contracted him to procure a newborn baby following her reported miscarriage.
He further disclosed that in carrying out the task, he lured a nursing mother and her four-week-old baby to the Kasuwan-Gwari area under the pretext that a benefactor would give the child some food items and alms.
On arrival, the victim and her friend were instructed by Zainab to contact Chidi, who subsequently met them and led the victim into an uncompleted building near Mobil roundabout, offering snacks and soft drinks to gain their confidence. While pretending to play with the baby, the suspect fled with the baby through the rear exit of the building using a motorcycle to an unknown destination.
The said Zainab was also arrested, the baby was rescued, and the child has since been reunited with the mother, while the suspects are in custody awaiting prosecution.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
