Four people arrested for stealing a baby from a mentally ill mother

The Abia State Police have arrested four people for allegedly stealing a four-day-old baby from its mother, who has mental health issues. They then sold the baby to someone else.

Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, shared this news in a statement on Monday.

The suspects are Gladys Nathaniel, 48; Victor Udochukwu, 47; Chijioke Obunwa, 59; and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43.

Chinaka said that officers from the Violent Crimes Response Unit and Rapid Response Unit in Obehie arrested the suspects on September 16, 2026. She mentioned this was based on “credible and actionable intelligence.”

Investigations showed that these suspects plotted to steal the baby from her mother and later sold the infant to another person. “The suspects allegedly conspired to steal a four-day-old baby from her mentally unstable mother and subsequently sold the infant to another person,” the statement said.

Chinaka added that the suspects were caught after the police conducted their investigations. The baby and her mother were rescued soon after.

The mother has been sent back to her family for proper care and medical attention. The baby is now with the Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody.

“The baby and mother were rescued. The mother has been released to her family for proper care and medical attention, while the infant has been handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody,” she stated.

The PPRO mentioned that the suspects are still in custody. The investigation is ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department.

She also said that they will be taken to court after the investigation wraps up.

The Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, responded to the incident. He assured the public that the police are committed to protecting vulnerable people and ensuring that those behind such crimes face justice.