Four arrested for stealing newborn from mentally-ill woman

The suspects. Photo: Police

The Abia State Police Command has arrested four suspects for allegedly stealing a four-day-old baby from its mother, who is mentally challenged, and selling the infant to another person.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

She identified the suspects as Gladys Nathaniel, 48; Victor Udochukwu, 47; Chijioke Obunwa, 59; and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43.

According to Chinaka, operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit and Rapid Response Unit, Obehie, arrested the suspects on September 16, 2026, following what she described as “credible and actionable intelligence.”

She said investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly conspired to steal the four-day-old baby from its mother and subsequently sold the infant to another person.

“The suspects allegedly conspired to steal a four-day-old baby from her mentally unstable mother and subsequently sold the infant to another person,” the statement read.

Chinaka said the suspects were apprehended following investigations by the operatives, adding that the baby and its mother were subsequently rescued.

She said the mother had been released to her family for proper care and medical attention, while the infant was handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody.

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“The baby and mother were rescued. The mother has been released to her family for proper care and medical attention, while the infant has been handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody,” she stated.

The PPRO said the suspects remained in custody while the investigation was ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department.

She added that they would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and ensuring that those responsible for such crimes were brought to justice.

PUNCH Metro reported in August that the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons sealed a residential apartment in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, suspected to have been converted into an illegal maternity facility by a child-trafficking syndicate.

The agency also arrested the owner of the facility, whom it identified as a facilitator in the alleged sale of babies, as well as another staff member.