Two arrested for allegedly stealing four-week-old baby in Niger
Niger State Police Arrest Two Suspects in Baby Abduction Case
MINNA, Niger State — The Niger State Police Command has arrested two individuals in connection with the alleged abduction of a four-week-old infant. The suspects, identified as Chidi Johnson, 24, known as “Yaron Pastor,” and 22-year-old Zainab Ibrahim, were apprehended as part of an ongoing investigation into the incident.
The abduction occurred on July 14 near the Mobil Roundabout in the state capital, Minna. According to the police, a report was filed at the A Division Police Station, prompting detectives to initiate an investigation.
Police spokesperson SP Wasi’u Abiodun stated that Johnson confessed to the crime, alleging that Ibrahim had approached him with a request to obtain a newborn after purportedly losing her own pregnancy.
Authorities say Johnson deceived a nursing mother by claiming that a benefactor wanted to provide baby food and alms. He persuaded the mother and her baby to accompany him to an uncompleted building in the vicinity. Once there, Johnson allegedly offered the mother snacks and soft drinks to build rapport before taking the baby under the pretense of playing with her.
“After offering them snacks and soft drinks to gain their confidence, the suspect pretended to play with the baby before escaping through the rear exit of the building on a waiting motorcycle with the child,” Abiodun explained.
Zainab Ibrahim was arrested shortly after Johnson. The infant was located and safely returned to her mother.
Both suspects are currently under investigation and are expected to be arraigned in court upon completion of the inquiry.
