Police arrest man who stole 9-month-old baby in Imo

The Operatives of Umuaka Police Divisional Headquarters in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo state Police Commander have arrested a suspect identified as Bebiana Paulinus, for stealing a 9-month-old baby girl in Amaiyi Umuaka on Wednesday, and disappeared with the baby.

The Operatives also recovered the abducted baby, who has since reunited with her mother, Precious Duru.

The suspect, who is a teacher at St. Saviour Catholic Secondary School Umuaka,  was reportedly apprehended by operatives of the local vigilante, who later handed her over to the police.

An indigene of Umuaka Community and an ex-Nigerian Soldier, Rev Vincent Durugbo told some journalists that three suspects (an accomplice who accommodated the abductor and the baby) had so far been arrested and detained by the police, including the fleeing neighbour.

He said, “I have been following this case up since Wednesday when the poor woman announced her little baby’s disappearance. I didn’t want to report to the police because I have always believed they are compromised”.

He said that they collaborated with the men of Vigilante in Umuaka, who launched a vigorous search for the fleeing neighbour.

According to him, the woman is a teacher at St. Saviour’s Catholic Secondary School Umuaka, which we also visited during our search.

He said: “She has been arrested and detained at Umuaka police Division alongside two other suspects connected to the matter, and the baby recovered alive from her abductor.

The ex-Soldier, who said she hails from Ojukwu village in the Umuaka community, said they were witnesses to the evils that are happening in Umuaka and its environs, adding that the police are doing little or nothing to curtail the rising cases of child trafficking, and kidnapping, thuggery as other social vices.

He said: “I have also fallen victim to last Christmas celebration when I was rounded up by hoodlums and dispossessed of my belongings including a huge sum of money. My community has suddenly turned to a theatre of all manners of absurdities, yet those in authority have kept mum over this.”

When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Umuaka, Martins Ekere, confirmed the arrest and promised to investigate into the matter.

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