Eight arraigned over missing baby

The Bayelsa State Police Command has charged eight suspects to court over the disappearance of a one-year, 10-month-old girl, Amarachi Blessing Ogbonna, from a church premises in the state.

The child reportedly disappeared from the church premises on June 21, 2026, prompting an investigation by the police command.

The command, in a statement issued on Friday by its Public Relations Officer,  Musa Mohammed, said the Violent Crime Response Unit took over the investigation from the Ekeki Division on the directive of the Commissioner of Police.

According to the statement, the unit commenced intensive investigations, leading to the identification and arrest of suspects allegedly connected to the child’s disappearance.

The police said eight suspects had been charged before the High Court of Bayelsa State, Yenagoa Judicial Division, and were awaiting arraignment in Charge No. BYHC/YHC/CR./81/2026.

“Based on the facts and evidence so far established, eight suspects have been charged to court and are awaiting arraignment before the High Court of Bayelsa State, Yenagoa Judicial Division, in Charge No. BYHC/YHC/CR./81/2026,” the Command said.

The command explained that other persons whose involvement was not established were released on bail.

It also dismissed claims circulating on social media that the police had been inactive in the case, saying the delay in the arraignment of the suspects was caused by the vacation of the courts.

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“The narrative does not reflect the true nature of event,” the statement said.

The police added that the courts resumed proceedings this week and the case was expected to proceed accordingly.

Meanwhile, the command said investigation into the disappearance remained active, with efforts ongoing to locate the missing child and reunite her with her family.

“The police investigation remains active, with sustained efforts directed towards the safe recovery of Amarachi Blessing Ogbonna and her eventual reunion with her family,” the statement added.

The command said it was pursuing all credible leads and would continue to take lawful steps to establish the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance.