A 19-year-old woman, Khadija Ibrahim, has been arrested for allegedly stealing a newborn baby in Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

To lay the foundation for the crime, Khadija Ibrahim, according to the police, deceived her husband for about nine months into believing that she was pregnant, only to steal a newborn baby and present to him when she was supposed to be due for delivery.

Her story was told in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Kebbi Police Command, SP Bashir Usman in Birnin Kebbi, this Monday, August 17, 2026.

The incident, he said, occurred on July 23, 2025, when the suspect, while pretending to assist Fatima Muhammad, who had just given birth, offered to fetch hot water but instead fled 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.

“She consequently deceived her husband for about nine months into believing that she was pregnant and, after the birth of Muhammad’s baby, she took the child and presented it to her husband as their baby,” the police said.

The suspect, he said, was arrested on Friday following sustained investigation.

“The baby was found and has been safely reunited with the biological mother,” he said.

Usman said that the suspect would remains in police custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Umar Hadejia, has commended the operatives for their diligence and professionalism in securing the safe return of the baby and arresting the suspect.

“The CP has assured the public that the command remains committed to protecting children and bringing anyone found culpable to justice,” he said. (Adapted from a NAN report)