The Niger State Police Command has arrested a man posing as a pastor and his alleged female accomplice in connection with the abduction of a four-week-old baby in Minna, the state capital.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday, revealing that the baby has been rescued and safely reunited with its mother.
According to the police, the incident was reported at the ‘A’ Division, Minna, on July 14 at about 10:00 a.m. The report indicated that a four-week-old infant had been deceitfully taken from its mother around the Mobil Roundabout area.
Abiodun said detectives immediately launched an investigation and deployed technical intelligence, which led to the arrest of 24-year-old Chidi Johnson, popularly known as “Yaron Pastor,” a resident of Abdulsalam Quarters, Minna.
During interrogation, Johnson reportedly confessed that a 22-year-old woman, Zainab Ibrahim, originally from the Alagbado area of Minna but currently residing in Sokoto State, had approached him to procure a newborn baby after she allegedly suffered a miscarriage.
Police investigations revealed that on July 13 at about 12:00 p.m., Johnson lured the baby’s mother and her four-week-old child to the Kasuwan-Gwari area under the false pretence that a kind-hearted benefactor wanted to provide them with food items and alms.
Upon getting to the area, the nursing mother and her friend were instructed by Ibrahim to contact Johnson, who then met them and escorted the mother to an uncompleted building near Mobil Roundabout.
According to the police, Johnson offered the women snacks and soft drinks to gain their trust while pretending to play with the baby. However, while holding the infant, he allegedly escaped through the rear exit of the building and fled on a motorcycle to an unknown destination with the child.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Ibrahim, while police operatives successfully rescued the abducted baby and reunited the child with the mother.
SP Abiodun said both suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue. He added that they will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
