Metro

Two Female Suspects Detained Over Missing Baby

Published

3 years ago

January 11, 2023

The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of two female suspects in connection with the disappearance of a baby at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who spoke to our correspondent on the phone, however, said the baby had yet to be found.

The policeman attached to the SCID, Samuel Ukpabio, had took the child from his mother, Fortune Obafuoso, while claiming to be acting for a government ministry.

Obafuoso said on Friday, December 23, 2022, when she was delivered of her baby, the policeman arrested her and took her alongside her children, including the newborn, to the SCID on the allegation that she wanted to sell the baby, a claim she denied.

The 35-year-old explained that Ukpabio, while interrogating her at the police formation, forcefully took the baby and handed him over to a yet-to-be-identified woman.

The cop subsequently gave her N15,000, and threatened her not to return for the baby.

He sent her another N170,000 after she kept demanding the child.

The police spokesman, Hundeyin, had confirmed the arrest of the policeman.

Providing an update on the matter on Tuesday, he said, “Two ladies have been arrested; the inspector (Ukpabio) mentioned the person he gave the baby to and we arrested that person. The person is in detention now. During interrogation, that person mentioned that she gave the baby to another person and the person has been arrested and detained.

“Both of them have not denied collecting the baby but we still don’t know where the baby is. We are still working and by the end of tomorrow (Wednesday), we should be able to tell where they took the baby to. So, we have a total of three people in detention now; the inspector, and the two ladies.”

Meanwhile, the Country Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, said the manner Obafuoso was treated by the police was appalling, adding that justice must prevail and the baby returned.

Ojigho said, “Section 30 of the Child’s Rights Act prohibits the sale of children. The police officer involved in intimidating and harassing the woman seeking the return of her child must be investigated and prosecuted.

“It is disheartening that the police leadership has delayed in doing the right thing. It is important that the child is returned to the mother and the illicit transaction the officer facilitated or acted as an intermediary exposed.”

PUNCH

Metro

Vigilante Shoots Father Who Prevented Kidnapper Son’s Arrest In Kwara

Published

5 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Police Command in Kwara has confirmed the death of a man who helped alleged kidnap suspect escape.

The Police Commissioner in Kwara, Mr Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Wednesday in ilorin.

Ojo further disclosed that a vigilante member who sustained injuries from the incident was receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

The commissioner of police said the deceased struck a vigilante member, who was holding the alleged kidnap suspect, with a machete, enabling the suspect to escape.

He added that investigation was ongoing.

Eyewitnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria that the deceased prevented vigilante members from arresting his son over alleged involvement in kidnapping.

An eyewitness said the incident occurred on Tuesday at the Shaare Cattle Market in Kwara, as the deceased attempted to help his son evade arrest.

According to the source, the man attacked one of the vigilante members with a machete, creating an escape route for his son.

“In response, the vigilante member shot the man, who later died from his injuries,” the source said.

NAN

Metro

Police Arrest Six Suspected Cultists In Anambra Black Spot Raid

Published

6 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has raided a black spot in Ogidi, the Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, arresting six suspects, including a female.

The spokesman for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a press statement released on Wednesday, adding that police operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad in Enugwu-Ukwu, carried out the operation on Tuesday.

Ikenga said the team recovered one fabricated Beretta pistol without a magazine and quantities of illicit drugs, including Mkpuru Mmiri (crystal meth), during the raid.

The statement read in part, “Police operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad Enugwu Ukwu on August 12, 2025 at about 2.30pm and acting on credible intelligence, stormed a black spot at 7th Mile, Ogidi, Idemili North LGA.

“The team arrested six suspects, including a female, and recovered one fabricated Beretta pistol without a magazine and quantities of illicit drugs, including Mkpuru Mmiri (crystal meth), during the raid.

“The suspects are: Olisaemeka Izuchukwu ‘M’ aged 21 years, Isioma Chisom ‘M’ aged 22 years, Chinonso Izuchukwu ‘M’ aged 20 years, Chinaza Isioma ‘M’ aged 24 years, Onyekwelu Miracle ‘M’ aged 19 years and Mrs. Chinenye Eloka Okeke ‘F’ aged 35 years.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, commended the operatives for their swift action and reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to sustain the tempo against cultism, drug trafficking, and other crimes in the state.

“The suspects would be charged to court on the conclusion of the investigations.”

Metro

Ekiti Court Remands Lady For Stealing New Born In Health Facility

Published

6 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District, has ordered the remand of a 34-year-old lady, Deborah Ayeni, at the correctional centre in Ado Ekiti over alleged stealing of a day-old baby at a health centre in the state capital city.

The prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court on Wednesday that “the defendant was alleged to have committed the offence which attracted public sympathy and interest as a result of the prevalence case of child stealing in Ekiti State and reported on August 4, 2025, against her.”

Oriyomi said, “The offence is punishable under Section 292 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021 within Ado Ekiti Magisterial District”.

He urged the court to remand the defendant at the correctional centre, saying, “She is reasonably suspected to have committed the offence”, as he prayed the court to grant his application for remand of the lady.

The police prosecutor said that the duplicate case file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

The defendant was represented in court by Stephen Ademuwagun.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abayomi Adeosun, granted the prosecutor’s application for the remand of the defendant.

The chief magistrate adjourned the case till September 12 for mention.