Police in Kebbi State have arrested a 19-year-old woman, Khadija Ibrahim, for allegedly stealing a newborn baby in Zuru Local Government Area and presenting the child to her husband as her own.
Ibrahim, a resident of Rikoto, Zuru LGA, was arrested after police launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred last month.
According to the Kebbi State Police Command, the suspect allegedly took the baby shortly after its biological mother, Fatima Muhammad, gave birth.
The police said Ibrahim had offered to help Muhammad by fetching hot water but allegedly fled with the newborn.
In a statement issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said the suspect had allegedly been under social and emotional pressure because she had not had a child.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had allegedly been under social and emotional pressure over not yet having a child, as some of her peers had already given birth,” the statement said.
The police also alleged that Ibrahim had deceived her husband for about nine months into believing that she was pregnant.
“After the birth of Fatima Muhammad’s baby, [she] allegedly took the child and presented it to her husband as their own,” the statement added.
Police said the newborn was later recovered and safely reunited with the biological mother.
Ibrahim remains in police custody and is expected to be charged after investigations are completed.
The Commissioner of Police in Kebbi, CP Umar Hadejia, commended the officers involved for their diligence and professionalism in recovering the baby and arresting the suspect.
He also assured residents that the command would continue to protect children and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
The police urged residents to provide useful information to security agencies to help protect vulnerable people and prevent crimes against children.
