19-year-old woman allegedly steals newborn baby in Kebbi

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, a resident of Rikoto in Zuru LGA, was arrested on Aug. 14, 2026, following sustained investigations into the incident, which occurred on July 23, 2025.

According to the police, Ibrahim allegedly stole the baby shortly after its biological mother, Fatima Muhammad, gave birth.

The police said the suspect had visited the new mother and offered to assist her by fetching hot water.

She allegedly used the opportunity to flee with the newborn instead of returning with the water.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect had been under social and emotional pressure over her inability to have a child, particularly as some of her peers had already given birth.

The police further alleged that Ibrahim had 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 police statement said.

The command said the baby was subsequently recovered and safely reunited with the biological mother.

The suspect remains in police custody and is expected to be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police in Kebbi, CP Umar Hadejia, commended the operatives for their diligence and professionalism in recovering the baby and arresting the suspect.

Hadejia also reassured residents that the command would continue to protect children and ensure that anyone found culpable of criminal acts was brought to justice.

The police urged members of the public to continue providing useful information that could assist security agencies in protecting vulnerable persons and preventing crimes against children.