The Ekiti State Police Command has recovered a day-old baby abducted from a government health facility in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The newborn was stolen from Okeyimi Health Centre on Monday, August 4, 2025. In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 6, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abutu Sunday, confirmed that the child was recovered following a painstaking investigation and a credible tip-off.
The suspect, identified as Deborah Ayeni of Afao Road, Ado-Ekiti, has been arrested in connection with the crime. She reportedly confessed to stealing the infant to cover up a false pregnancy.
“Investigation revealed that the suspect had been parading herself as pregnant and had been deceiving her husband, who resides in the UK,” the statement read. “She admitted that she had collected large sums of money from her husband and, in a bid to maintain the lie, resorted to stealing a newborn.”
The baby has since been reunited with the biological parents, 29-year-old Mustapha Aliyu and 22-year-old Salmatu Lawal.
DSP Abutu noted that the suspect would be further investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, urged residents to remain vigilant and security conscious at all times. He also called for continued collaboration with the police through the provision of credible and timely information that could aid in curbing criminal activities.
