Newborn stolen from Benue hospital

A newborn baby boy was allegedly stolen from a Family Healthcare Centre in Gboko, Benue State, shortly after his birth on Tuesday morning. The incident happened when the infant was brought to a ward with his mother for further care following delivery. Reports suggest the baby did not cry immediately following birth, leading a nurse to intervene and help him respond normally.

Upon moving the mother and baby to a ward, a woman who claimed to be a nurse approached the mother to examine the baby once more. The woman took the newborn from his mother and headed towards the labor room. The baby's grandmother noticed the woman's suspicious behavior and followed her, but was told to step back and assured everything was under control.

The woman then vanished with the baby. Hospital staff denied having any involvement, claiming the woman posing as a nurse was not part of their staff. Tensions erupted at the hospital, with family members, sympathizers, and concerned individuals gathering to comfort the distraught mother. Security personnel were deployed to the scene to restore order.

The incident was confirmed to journalists by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, who stated that the matter would be investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). The incident occurred at a Family Healthcare Centre in Gboko but has drawn significant attention, prompting its transfer to Makurdi for further investigation.