Fake pastor lured nursing mother before stealing baby – Police 

A four-week-old baby allegedly stolen through deception has been rescued by the Niger State Police Command following the arrest of a man posing as a clergyman and a woman said to have masterminded the plot.

The command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday in Minna, saying the two suspects are being investigated for criminal conspiracy and child abduction.

According to him, the case was reported to the ‘A’ Division in Minna on July 14 after a nursing mother informed police that her infant had been taken near the Mobil Roundabout.

Abiodun said detectives immediately launched an investigation, using intelligence gathering and technical support to trace and apprehend one of the suspects.

“Upon receipt of the report, police detectives from the division immediately commenced investigation and deployed technical intelligence, which led to the arrest of Chidi Johnson, aka ‘Yaron Pastor’, 24, of Abdulsalam Quarters.

“During investigation, he confessed that Zainab Ibrahim, 22, of Alagbado Area, Minna, but residing in Sokoto State, had contracted him to procure a newborn baby following her reported miscarriage,” he narrated.

Police said the suspect revealed that the plan began a day before the incident when he allegedly persuaded the nursing mother to accompany him with her baby to the Kasuwan-Gwari area, claiming a benefactor wanted to distribute food and other relief items.

Abiodun explained that after the woman and a friend arrived, they were instructed by Ibrahim to contact Johnson, who escorted them to an uncompleted building close to the Mobil Roundabout.

“Johnson said it was on the pretext that the child would be given food items and alms by a benefactor.

“On arrival, the victim and her friend were instructed by Ibrahim to contact Johnson, who subsequently met them and led the victim into an uncompleted building near Mobil Roundabout.

“Upon arrival at the uncompleted building, Johnson offered snacks and soft drinks to gain their confidence while pretending to play with the baby.

“Unfortunately, in the process of playing with the baby, the suspect fled with the baby through a rear exit of the building on a motorcycle to an unknown destination,” he said.

The police spokesperson added that officers later arrested Ibrahim, rescued the infant unharmed and reunited the child with the mother.

“Meanwhile, the suspects are in custody undergoing investigation after which they will be charged to court for prosecution,” he stated.