Police
Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have cracked a child abduction syndicate, arresting a self-proclaimed clergyman and his female accomplice for allegedly stealing a four-week-old baby in Minna, the state capital.
The breakthrough was confirmed in a statement released on Saturday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun.
According to the police, the incident unfolded on July 14, at about 10:00 a.m., when a distressed mother reported that her newborn had been deceitfully taken from her near the Mobil Roundabout area of Minna.
Detectives from the ‘A’ Division swiftly launched an investigation, utilizing technical intelligence to track down and arrest the prime suspect, 24-year-old Chidi Johnson, popularly known as “Yaron Pastor”, at his residence in Abdulsalam Quarters.
Upon interrogation, Johnson confessed that he was hired by 22-year-old Zainab Ibrahim. Ibrahim, who hails from the Alagbado area of Minna but resides in Sokoto State, allegedly contracted Johnson to procure a newborn baby for her following a recent miscarriage.
The Bait and the Escape
Detailing how the crime was executed, the police spokesperson revealed that Johnson lured the unsuspecting nursing mother and her friend to the Kasuwan-Gwari area on July 13 under the guise of connecting them with a wealthy benefactor who wanted to donate food items and alms.
Upon their arrival, Johnson led the mother and her friend into an uncompleted building near the Mobil Roundabout.
To lower their guard, the suspect bought them snacks and soft drinks while pretending to play with the four-week-old infant. However, while the mother was distracted, Johnson bolted through a rear exit of the building, escaping on a waiting motorcycle to an unknown destination.
Swift Rescue
The police command confirmed that follow-up operations led to the immediate arrest of the mastermind, Zainab Ibrahim. Fortunately, the stolen baby was safely rescued by detectives and has since been reunited with the traumatized mother.
SP Abiodun added that both suspects remain in police custody undergoing further interrogation and will be formally arraigned in court once investigations are concluded.
