Benue Police Recover Stolen Newborn, Arrest Suspects Following Hospital Theft

Police operatives in Benue State have recovered a newborn infant and arrested multiple suspects following a child theft incident at a hospital in the Gboko local government area.

The command’s spokesperson, Peter Aondongu, confirmed the recovery and arrests on Thursday, stating that several suspects are currently held at the Gboko divisional facility while others have been transferred to the state command headquarters in Makurdi.

The incident occurred on Tuesday shortly after the child’s delivery, when an unidentified woman disguised as a healthcare worker approached the mother in her ward. Claiming the infant needed an additional routine examination, the suspect took the baby under false pretenses before fleeing the premises.

The disappearance triggered tension among family members and hospital visitors, prompting a swift security response to restore order at the facility. Subsequent inquiries by duty personnel confirmed that the suspect was not an employee of the hospital.

Law enforcement authorities confirmed that investigation efforts led directly to the recovery of the child and the apprehension of the key suspects, who now face formal charges upon completion of preliminary inquiries.