Baby trafficking youths arrest suspect after newborn stolen in Gboko

Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi

A suspected case of child trafficking has thrown Gboko, the ancient town and traditional headquarters of the Tiv people in Benue State, into shock following the alleged arrest of a woman, identified as Mrs. Yavihi, in possession of a newborn baby reportedly stolen from the Comprehensive Health Centre, Gboko.

The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday and triggered tension in the community as youths apprehended the suspect and recovered the newborn, who was later identified as a baby boy missing from the Division Hospital, Gboko.

The suspect was subsequently taken to the police, first at the A Division Police Station, Gboko, before the matter was transferred to the Benue State Police Command headquarters for further investigation.

The Mirror gathered that the woman is currently being investigated by detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction and determine whether other persons were involved.

The discovery reportedly followed growing suspicions by the suspect’s landlady, Mrs. Benedict, after the woman returned home with a newborn and claimed she had just undergone a Caesarean Section (CS) in a hospital in Vandeikya Local Government Area.
According to Mrs. Benedict, the suspect initially claimed that she had delivered twins but that one of the babies died, leaving only one surviving child.

However, the landlady said several aspects of the woman’s story did not add up.

She explained that when the suspect moved into the compound earlier this year, she had claimed that her expected date of delivery was in March, yet no delivery occurred.

Mrs. Benedict said the woman’s subsequent claim that she had undergone a Caesarean Section further heightened her suspicion because, shortly after allegedly being discharged, the woman was reportedly seen carrying out strenuous household chores without showing signs of the physical discomfort normally associated with a recent major surgical procedure.

She also said the suspect did not appear to exhibit other signs she expected from someone who had just given birth.
According to her, the plaster covering the woman’s alleged surgical wound also appeared unusual.

When questioned about the type of plaster she used, the suspect reportedly told her that the doctor who performed the operation could explain why it was used.

Mrs. Benedict also questioned the reported timeline of the alleged operation, noting that the suspect claimed she underwent CS on Monday and was discharged by Wednesday.
The suspect reportedly attributed the quick discharge to advances in medical technology.

The landlady further disclosed that the suspect had, for about three months, regularly left the house carrying a backpack containing what appeared to be a nurse’s uniform while visiting different health facilities.

She said the suspect’s last outing was on Monday, before she returned the following day with the newborn.

These developments, according to Mrs. Benedict, increased her suspicion that the woman might be concealing something.

She said she contacted her husband, Mr. Benedict, to help unravel the situation, but their initial efforts did not produce any breakthrough.

The situation reportedly changed when a close relative asked Mrs. Benedict whether she had heard about a newborn baby allegedly stolen from a hospital in the area.

The question immediately heightened her suspicion that the baby in her tenant’s possession could be the missing child.

She subsequently contacted an influential woman in the neighbourhood, who sent two associates to question the suspect.

The associates reportedly joined efforts with members of the neighbourhood, who insisted that the suspect be thoroughly searched and questioned.

It was during the process that the community members reportedly concluded that the woman had not given birth to the baby and that the child might have been unlawfully taken from the hospital.

The development reportedly came as a shock to the suspect’s husband, popularly known as Ancheen.
According to the landlady, the man fainted after it became apparent that the newborn was allegedly not his biological child.

He was reportedly rushed to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention.

Mrs. Benedict also said that before the arrival of the neighbourhood youths, she overheard the suspect’s husband quarrelling with her and insisting that the child was not his.

He reportedly urged the woman to return the baby to wherever she had obtained him, but she allegedly maintained that the child was his.

The landlady further alleged that since the woman claimed she was pregnant, she had prevented her husband from having sexual relations with her, claiming that doctors had warned that intercourse could result in miscarriage.

Members of the neighbourhood, however, reportedly said they had not observed the physical signs of pregnancy they expected from the suspect.

Further information gathered by The Mirror suggests that the suspect may have had some familiarity with medical procedures, although her professional status as a nurse could not be independently established at the time of filing this report.

Sources alleged that she had previously worked as a cleaner at Division Hospital, Gboko, and before then worked at a chemist shop where she allegedly acquired experience assisting with deliveries and other procedures.

One source claimed that her familiarity with health-related activities enabled her to gain access to some facilities.
However, a staff member of Division Hospital, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disputed some aspects of the claim.

The staff member said the woman did not work at the hospital during the period being alleged, although she had reportedly been visiting the facility regularly in recent times.

The staff member also said the woman did not possess a hospital identification card and had allegedly told people that she was pregnant with twins and would undergo an operation at TBT Hospital when her delivery date arrived.

These conflicting accounts are expected to form part of the police investigation.

It was also gathered that a commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as an Okada rider, who allegedly transported the suspect home after the baby was taken, later went to the Comprehensive Health Centre after learning about the reported abduction.

He was reportedly taken to the A Division Police Station, Gboko, to assist the police in identifying the suspect and locating her residence.

However, before the process was completed, the suspect had reportedly already been apprehended by members of the community.

There was jubilation at Division Hospital, Gboko, after the missing newborn was recovered and reunited with his mother, Mrs. Hembafan Aondofa.

Residents and people from different walks of life reportedly gathered at the hospital to witness the recovery.
Members of the Gboko Traditional Council, led by the Ter Gboko, Chief Gabriel Shosun, were also said to have visited the facility.

The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of newborn babies in health facilities and the need for stronger security and identification procedures around maternity wards.

The Mirror gathered that nine persons, including some health workers, security personnel stationed at the hospital gate and the father of the newborn, were initially arrested and taken to the State CID for questioning.

The alleged trafficker was later arrested at about 11:00 p.m., while another woman who reportedly claimed to have previously employed the suspect at a chemist shop was subsequently taken away by the police at A Division, Gboko.
The number of persons in police custody had therefore risen to 11 as of the time of filing this report.

The Mirror also gathered that the suspect is originally from Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State, although she had allegedly been telling some people that she was from Vandeikya Local Government Area.

The conflicting identity claims are also expected to be investigated by the police.

The latest incident comes amid growing concerns over alleged trafficking activities in parts of Benue State.

Only last week, a similar incident was reportedly recorded in Gboko involving a Libya-based woman identified as Joy, who was allegedly attempting to facilitate the movement of three young women to Libya.

According to reports, youths reportedly intercepted her during the alleged operation, assaulted her and later handed her over to law enforcement authorities.

The recurrence of such incidents has heightened calls for stronger community vigilance, improved security around health facilities and increased collaboration between residents, traditional institutions, hospitals and security agencies to prevent trafficking and child abduction.

When contacted, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Orchi​a Aondongu, confirmed the development.
The police are expected to provide further details as the investigation progresses.

Authorities are also expected to establish the identity of the newborn’s biological mother, the circumstances surrounding the alleged disappearance of the child from the health facility and whether the suspect acted alone or in collaboration with other persons.

The recovered baby has since been reunited with his mother, while the investigation continues.