By Abdullahi Tukur
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested 19-year-old Khadija Ibrahim of Rikoto, Zuru Local Government Area, in connection with the alleged theft of a newborn baby.
In a statement, the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said the incident occurred on July 23, 2026, when the suspect allegedly approached Fatima Muhammad, who had just given birth, and offered to assist her by fetching hot water.
According to the police, the suspect instead fled with the newborn.
SP Usman said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect had been under social and emotional pressure over not having a child, as some of her peers had already given birth.
He alleged that the suspect had consequently deceived her husband for about nine months into believing that she was pregnant. Following the birth of Fatima’s baby, she allegedly took the child and presented it to her husband as their own.
The police said sustained investigation led to the suspect’s arrest, while the baby was recovered and safely reunited with the biological mother.
The suspect remains in police custody and will be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations, in accordance with the law.
