The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old woman, Joy Nuwa, along with three accomplices, for stealing a six-month-old baby and attempting to sell the child in Abuja.
According to the police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the incident occurred in Suleja when the baby’s mother entrusted Joy, her cousin, with watching over the child while she ran an errand. Instead, Joy conspired with two neighbors, Emmanuel Ezekiel and Favour James, to take the baby to Kubwa, Abuja, in search of a buyer.
Upon returning home on January 24, 2025, the mother discovered both her baby and Joy missing. When questioned, Joy initially claimed she had locked the baby inside the house. However, police found no signs of forced entry, prompting a deeper investigation. Further inquiries led to the arrest of Emmanuel and Favour, with Emmanuel confessing to their involvement in the crime. He revealed that the baby had been taken to a woman identified as Patience Obana in Kubwa.
On January 25, 2025, police arrested all four suspects and successfully rescued the baby, who was unharmed and reunited with the mother. The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further legal proceedings. Authorities have reiterated the need for parents to remain vigilant about whom they entrust with their children, as cases of child trafficking and abduction continue to rise.
