The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of a newborn baby boy who was stolen after delivery at a healthcare facility in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.
The day old baby was stolen in the early hours of Tuesday by a woman who disguised as a nurse.
The baby was recovered on Wednesday night following a police operation that led to the arrest of a suspected child trafficker at Adekaa area of Gboko.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday, August 13 said the newborn was promptly reunited with the mother at Police ‘A’ Division in Gboko.
Aondongu also said the police have also arrested 11 suspects, including the principal suspect, Mrs. Nguhemen Asugh, in connection with the incident.
“The Benue State Police Command has rescued a newborn baby who was reportedly stolen immediately after delivery in a healthcare facility in Gboko and got eleven (11) suspects arrested in connection with the incident,” the statement read.
“On 12 August 2026, at about 1100hrs, operatives of the Command attached to A Division, Gboko, received a complaint from one Aondofa Chia, whose wife delivered a baby shortly at a healthcare facility in Gboko that the newborn baby had gone missing.
“Upon receipt of the report, Police operatives immediately commenced investigation, which led to the arrest of nine (9) suspects for questioning and to assist in establishing the circumstances surrounding the disappearance.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of two (2) additional suspects at about 10pm on the same date, including the principal suspect, Mrs. Nguhemen Asugh, aged 35 years who stole the infant baby.
“The stolen newborn baby was subsequently rescued from her custody and safely reunited with the mother.
“With the latest arrests, a total of eleven (11) suspects are currently in Police custody in connection with the offence.
“Investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the case, determine the roles played by all the suspects and each person’s degree of culpability.
“The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus C.N. Nwadiogbu, psc(+), mnips, PhD, commends the operatives for their Swift response and professional handling of the incident.
“He reassures the good people of Benue State that the Command remains committed to protecting lives and property and will continue to respond decisively to reports of crime and threats to public safety.
“The Command urges members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities or deliver credible information to the nearest Police station or through the Command’s emergency lines: 08066006475 and 07067374913.”
