The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 19-year-old woman, Khadija Ibrahim, for allegedly stealing a newborn baby in Zuru Local Government Area of the state and presenting the child to her husband as her own.
According to the police, the suspect allegedly stole the baby shortly after its biological mother, identified as Fatima Muhammad, gave birth.
The command, in a statement issued on Sunday by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said Khadija had pretended to assist the new mother by offering to fetch hot water but allegedly fled with the newborn.
The police further alleged that the suspect deceived her husband for about nine months into believing that she was pregnant.
‘After the birth of Fatima Muhammad's baby, [she] allegedly took the child and presented it to her husband as their own,’ the statement added.
‘Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had allegedly been under social and emotional pressure over not yet having a child, as some of her peers had already given birth,’ the statement partly read.
The suspect, a resident of Rikoto, Zuru LGA, was arrested on August 14, 2026, following sustained investigation into the incident, which occurred on July 23, 2025.
The police said the baby was subsequently 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 the investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Umar Hadejia, commended the operatives for their diligence and professionalism in recovering the baby and arresting the suspect.
He also reassured residents that the command would continue to protect children and ensure that anyone found culpable of criminal acts is brought to justice.
The police urged members of the public to continue providing useful information to help security agencies protect vulnerable persons and prevent crimes against children.
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