The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 19-year-old woman, Khadija Ibrahim, over the alleged theft of a newborn baby in Zuru Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect was arrested on August 14, 2026, following sustained investigations into the alleged abduction of the baby, which occurred on July 23, 2025.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, the suspect allegedly approached the baby’s mother, Fatima Muhammad, shortly after she gave birth and offered to fetch hot water for her.
The police said Khadija allegedly used the opportunity to flee with the newborn and later presented the child to her husband as their own.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect had allegedly been under social and emotional pressure over her inability to have a child, while some of her peers had already given birth.
She allegedly deceived her husband for about nine months into believing that she was pregnant before taking the newborn and passing the child off as hers.
The stolen baby has since been recovered and safely reunited with the biological mother.
The suspect remains in police custody and is expected to be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Umar M. Hadejia, commended the officers involved in the investigation for their diligence and professionalism, particularly for securing the safe return of the baby.
He assured residents that the command would continue to protect children and ensure that anyone found culpable of such offences faces the full weight of the law.
“The Command remains committed to protecting children and ensuring that anyone found culpable of such offences will face justice,” the police said.
