Two arrested for allegedly stealing four-week-old baby in Niger

The Niger State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly abducting a four-week-old baby in Minna, the state capital.

The suspects, identified as Chidi Johnson, 24, also known as “Yaron Pastor,” and 22-year-old Zainab Ibrahim, were apprehended following a police investigation into the incident, which occurred on July 14 around the Mobil Roundabout area of the state capital.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasi’u Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement in Minna.

According to him, the case was reported at the A Division Police Station, after which detectives launched an investigation that led to the arrest of Johnson.

Police said the suspect confessed that Zainab had approached him to obtain a newborn after she allegedly lost her pregnancy.

Investigators alleged that Johnson deceived a nursing mother by telling her that a benefactor wanted to give her baby food items and alms.

He reportedly persuaded the woman and her four-week-old baby to accompany him to an uncompleted building near the Mobil Roundabout.

Abiodun explained that after offering the mother and her companion snacks and soft drinks, Johnson allegedly took the baby under the guise of playing with the child before escaping through the back of the building.

According to him, “After offering them snacks and soft drinks to gain their confidence, the suspect pretended to play with the baby before escaping through the rear exit of the building on a waiting motorcycle with the child.”

The police said Zainab was subsequently arrested, while the baby was rescued and safely reunited with the mother.

Abiodun said both suspects are being investigated and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.