The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 19-year-old woman, Khadija Ibrahim, for allegedly stealing a newborn baby in Zuru Local Government Area of the state and presenting the child to her husband as their own.
Ibrahim, a resident of Rikoto in Zuru LGA, was arrested on August 14, 2026, following an investigation into the incident, which allegedly occurred on July 23, 2025.
According to the police, the suspect allegedly took the baby shortly after its biological mother, Fatima Muhammad, gave birth.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said Ibrahim had offered to assist the new mother by fetching hot water before allegedly fleeing with the newborn.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had allegedly been under social and emotional pressure over not yet having a child, as some of her peers had already given birth,” the statement said.
The police further alleged that Ibrahim had deceived her husband for about nine months into believing that she was pregnant.
“After the birth of Fatima Muhammad’s baby, [she] allegedly took the child and presented it to her husband as their own,” the statement added.
The police said the baby was later recovered and safely reunited with its biological mother.
Ibrahim remains in police custody and is expected to be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.
The Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State, CP Umar Hadejia, commended the officers involved for their diligence and professionalism in recovering the baby and arresting the suspect.
Hadejia also assured residents that the command would continue to protect children and ensure that anyone found culpable of criminal offences is brought to justice.
The police urged members of the public to provide useful information that could assist security agencies in protecting vulnerable people and preventing crimes against children.
