A newborn baby boy was stolen at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia, Nasarawa State, just hours after being delivered through an emergency Caesarean Section.
The incident occurred around 6 am on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
According to sources, the caregiver, a relative of the 20-year-old mother, allegedly left the baby in the care of an unidentified stranger.
The suspect, described as wearing a yellow hijab and having a facial mark, took advantage of the caregiver's absence, whisking the newborn away to an unknown destination.
The hospital management has confirmed the incident and stated that the matter has been promptly reported to the police for appropriate action.
The relative is currently in custody, and the hospital is collaborating with the authorities to investigate the case.
Dr. Mohammed Salihu, the hospital's official, mentioned that it was the first time such theft had been witnessed in the hospital.
He explained that the mother, Wosilat, was delivered of the baby at 3 a.m., and the baby was handed over to her relation before mother and child were transferred to the postnatal ward.
The hospital management has promised to review the CCTV footage to help identify and arrest the culprit.
The incident has left the community in shock, and residents are calling for better security measures in hospitals to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
