By ABIODUN LAWAL

The Police Command in Ogun says it has arrested a couple for allegedly stealing a baby just as it rescued two other children in the Mowe area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abeokuta.

Babaseyi said the suspects were arrested by detectives attached to the Mowe Division.

He explained that the arrest followed a complaint lodged on Sunday by a resident of Omo Onile area, Mowe, over the disappearance of her four-month-old baby.

According to him, the complainant reported that the female suspect visited her at a clinic on Saturday under the guise of checking on her condition.

Babaseyi said the suspect allegedly collected the baby from the mother on the pretext of assisting her while she rested and later disappeared with the child.

He stated that detectives, led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Folake Afeniforo, immediately launched an intelligence-led operation after receiving the report.

The police spokesperson said surveillance was mounted at motor parks and strategic locations within the area to track the suspects.

He added that detectives eventually traced the suspects to their hideout at Kekere Ekun area of Mowe on Monday at 7:55 p.m.

Babaseyi said the stolen baby was rescued alongside two other children found in the suspects’ possession.

He disclosed that preliminary investigation revealed that one of the rescued children had earlier been declared missing in a 2024 child stealing case.

According to him, the child was allegedly stolen from a hairdressing salon using the same deceptive method of pretending to offer assistance.

Babaseyi stated that the biological parents of two of the rescued children had identified their wards after being contacted by the police.

He said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for further investigation.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bode Ojajuni, commended officers of Mowe Division for their swift response and professionalism.

Babaseyi said the commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to combating child trafficking, abduction and other violent crimes in the state.(NAN)

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