Fake Nurse Steals Newborn From Benue Hospital

The Benue State Police Command has arrested several suspects in connection with the alleged abduction of a newborn baby from a hospital in Gboko Local Government Area.

Police spokesperson Peter Aondona confirmed the development in a telephone interview on Thursday, saying the baby had been recovered.

“I can confirm to you that some suspects have been arrested in connection with the theft of a newborn baby in Gboko on Tuesday.

“Some of the suspects were earlier transferred to the state headquarters in Makurdi, while other suspects are currently in police custody at the Gboko Division,” Aondona said.

The baby was allegedly taken from his mother at the hospital just hours after he was delivered on Tuesday.

The incident sparked panic at the facility as family members, sympathisers and other concerned persons gathered after the newborn’s disappearance. Security operatives were later deployed to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a woman allegedly posed as a nurse and approached the baby’s mother shortly after the delivery.

According to the eyewitness, the baby did not cry immediately after birth, prompting medical personnel to intervene before the newborn eventually responded normally.

The mother and child were later moved to a ward.

The eyewitness alleged that a short time later, the woman, who was unknown to the family, approached the mother and said she wanted to examine the baby again.

Believing she was a member of the hospital’s medical team, the mother reportedly handed the newborn to her.

The woman allegedly carried the baby towards the labour room. The baby’s grandmother, who was at the hospital, reportedly followed but was asked to remain where she was and assured that everything was under control.

Moments later, she realised that both the woman and the baby had disappeared.

The eyewitness said the family immediately raised the alarm and began searching for the newborn.

“Immediately after the baby was born, the infant did not cry as expected. The nurse on duty reportedly intervened, and the newborn eventually responded normally.

“Afterwards, both the mother and the baby were taken to a ward. Not long after, a woman approached the mother and claimed she wanted to check the baby again.

“She took the baby from the mother and headed towards the labour room. Shortly afterwards, she disappeared with the newborn,” the eyewitness said.

It was gathered that nurses on duty denied taking the baby from the ward and told the family that the woman who allegedly presented herself as a nurse was not a member of their staff.

Police have since recovered the newborn and arrested several suspects as investigations continue to determine how the baby was taken from the hospital and identify everyone involved.

The command said further details would be made available as the investigation progresses.