The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 19-year-old woman, Khadija Ibrahim, for allegedly stealing a newborn baby in Zuru Local Government Area of the state and presenting the child to her husband as her own.
The suspect, who resides in Rikoto, Zuru LGA, was arrested on August 14, 2026, following an investigation into the incident, which allegedly occurred on July 23, 2025. Police said Khadija allegedly took the baby shortly after its biological mother, Fatima Muhammad, gave birth.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said the suspect allegedly offered to help the new mother fetch hot water before fleeing with the newborn. The statement said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had allegedly been under social and emotional pressure over not yet having a child, as some of her peers had already given birth”.
Police alleged that Khadija deceived her husband for about nine months into believing that she was pregnant. “After the birth of Fatima Muhammad’s baby, [she] allegedly took the child and presented it to her husband as their own,” the statement added.
The police said the baby was later recovered and safely reunited with the biological mother. The suspect remains in custody and is expected to be charged to court after the investigation is concluded.
The Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State, CP Umar Hadejia, commended the officers involved in the operation for recovering the baby and arresting the suspect. He also assured residents that the command would continue to protect children and bring anyone found responsible for crimes against vulnerable persons to justice.
The police urged members of the public to provide useful information that could help security agencies prevent crimes and protect vulnerable persons.
