The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old woman, identified simply as Deborah, for stealing a newborn baby from a government-owned healthcare facility in the state capital.
The baby was reported missing on Monday from the Primary Health Centre in Okeiyinmi, less than 20 hours after birth, sparking panic among staff and residents. Deborah was arrested on Wednesday at her residence along Afao Road following a credible tip-off.
Parading the suspect at the command headquarters, Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, said the arrest was the result of discreet investigation and the vigilance of members of the public.
According to him, the suspect left behind a polythene bag containing baby items and a receipt traced to a popular supermarket in Ado-Ekiti. Investigators obtained CCTV footage from the store, which led to her identification and eventual arrest.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to stealing the baby to sustain a long-running lie to her UK-based boyfriend, to whom she had falsely claimed to be pregnant.
“I didn’t want to lose my boyfriend who is based in the UK. I had been collecting money from him for years while pretending to be pregnant. When he said he was coming to visit, I knew I had to do something,” she told reporters.
Deborah said she disguised herself as an expectant mother using clothing to pad her stomach, and entered the maternity ward on Sunday morning. Speaking Hausa, she befriended the baby’s mother, who is from the North, and earned her trust.
“When her husband left briefly, I offered to help watch over her and the baby. Around 5 a.m. on Monday, when the mother was asleep and no nurses were around, I took the baby and left for my house,” she recounted.
CP Eribo praised the citizen whose tip-off helped police crack the case, urging residents to remain alert and report suspicious activities in their communities.
“Let us be vigilant and report anything unusual. It was the alertness of one individual who noticed something odd that led to this breakthrough,” he said.
The baby has since been safely recovered and reunited with the family, while the suspect is expected to be charged in court.
