Authorities in Nigeria’s Ekiti State have detained four individuals in connection with the mysterious disappearance of a day-old baby from a public health facility in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti.
The infant was reportedly stolen overnight from the Okeyimi Health Centre, shortly after being delivered around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. Police say the incident has sparked a full-scale investigation.
Spokesperson for the Ekiti State Police Command, Superintendent Sunday Abutu, confirmed the development to journalists on Monday. He stated that several individuals, including healthcare workers and security personnel on duty at the time, were currently in custody and assisting with inquiries.
“The Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Eribo, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to launch a thorough investigation with the goal of recovering the missing child and bringing those responsible to justice,” Abutu said.
Sources at the facility told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the baby’s absence was discovered by a nurse during a routine postnatal check early Monday morning. The nurse reportedly entered the ward to attend to the mother and infant, only to find the child missing.
Attempts to obtain an official response from the management of Okeyimi Health Centre have so far been unsuccessful.
The case has drawn public concern and renewed calls for improved security protocols in maternity and postnatal wards across Nigeria, where incidents of baby theft have previously made headlines.
