By Deborah Nnamdi
The Niger State Police Command has rescued a six-month-old baby who was kidnapped by her cousin and taken to the Federal Capital Territory to be sold.
The incident happened last Saturday in the Kwamba area of Suleja.
The baby’s mother had asked her cousin, Joy Nuwa, to look after the child while she went on an errand.
Instead, Nuwa, along with some neighbors, took the baby to Kubwa, Abuja, intending to sell her.
According to a statement by the Police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, on Friday, their plan failed when the baby was reported missing to the police.
After an investigation, the police found the baby and returned her to her mother.
Abiodun said all suspects have been handed over to the State Crimimal and Investigation Department, SCID, for further investigation and prosecution.
The statement read in part “On 24th January 2025, at about 10pm, a report of the missing baby was made at Maje Division. The mother, who lives in Kwamba, Suleja, left her six-month-old baby with her cousin, Joy Nuwa, and went out. When she returned, she found both Joy and the baby missing. She immediately tried to reach Joy, who claimed that she had left the baby at home and locked the door.
“During the investigation, officers found no sign of a break-in. This led to the questioning of neighbours, Emmanuel Ezekiel and Favour James, who was later arrested. Emmanuel confessed that they had planned the abduction with Joy and taken the baby to Patience Obana in Kubwa, FCT, to arrange the sale.
“With Emmanuel’s help, Joy, Favour, and Patience were later arrested, and the baby was rescued unharmed. All suspects have been transferred to SCID Minna for further investigation and prosecution,” Abiodun stated.
