Kebbi Newborn Reunited With Mother After Woman Allegedly Steals Baby to Pass Off as Her Own
A 19-year-old woman, arrested by the police in Kebbi State for allegedly abducting a newborn baby in the Zuru Local Government Area of the state, has been reunited with the child’s biological mother.
The suspect, Khadija Ibrahim, was arrested on Wednesday, August 14 after the police investigation into the incident, which allegedly happened soon after the child birth on July 23, 2025.
Police say the suspect allegedly went to the mother of the newborn, Fatima Muhammad, pretending to help by taking her hot water. She allegedly seized the chance to walk out with the baby, and then gave the baby to her husband as her own.
Initial investigations show the suspect experienced social and emotional stress when she didn’t have children, especially given that some of her friends had children by that time, police said.
The baby was later found and returned safely to his mother, police said.
The incident emphasises the need to ensure the safety and security of newborns and the need to continue to develop effective protection around maternity and post-natal care facilities from a child protection point of view. Safe systems of reporting concerns and access to support for families also need to be in place when they are experiencing social or emotional pressures.
The suspect is still in police custody and will be facing legal action once investigations are finalized.
The Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State, Umar Hadejia, praised the officers that recovered the child and reiterated the command’s resolve to safeguard and punish those suspected of committing offences against children.
Police also reminded members of the public to give information which could prevent children being subjected to offending and help to safeguard vulnerable families.
