Nurses, soldier arrested for alleged theft, sale of newborn in Cross River
Two nurses and a serving female soldier have been arrested in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State over the alleged theft and sale of a newborn baby.
According to security analyst, Zagazola Makama, the suspects were apprehended following a complaint by 19-year-old Justina Valentine Boniface from Aningeje village, who raised the alarm after discovering her baby had been taken.
Boniface said she gave birth to a baby boy on August 12 at the Primary Health Centre in Aningeje, where she had received antenatal care.
She alleged that while she was asleep after delivery, the two nurses on duty—Ndifon Nelly Ekpu, 45, and Obi Mary Baken, 38—conspired to steal her child.
The nurses allegedly told Boniface that the baby had died and was buried within the facility.
However, after discovering the story was false, she reported the matter to the police.
The police confirmed the arrest of the nurses, who confessed to selling the baby to W/Sgt. Aisha Yakubu, a serving soldier in the Nigerian Army. Yakubu has also been taken into custody.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the final recipient of the baby and ensure the child’s safe recovery.
Nurses, soldier arrested for alleged theft, sale of newborn in Cross River
