Staff and patients at P and G Hospital in Abule-Egba, Lagos State, have foiled an alleged attempt by a woman to steal a newborn baby after disguising herself as a pregnant woman.
The suspect was arrested on Saturday after the alleged plot was uncovered. Police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend her accomplice, who reportedly fled the scene.
The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident on Sunday, adding that the suspect remained in custody and would be charged to court after investigations.
“The alleged perpetrator is currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the accomplice and charge the case to court as soon as the investigation is concluded,” Adebisi said.
The suspect allegedly concealed pieces of cloth beneath her clothing to give the impression that she was pregnant, while another woman reportedly pretended to have accompanied her to the hospital for delivery.
Videos circulating on social media showed hospital workers and other individuals restraining the suspect as the pieces of cloth fell from beneath her clothing.
In one of the videos, a man dressed in traditional attire was seen slapping the suspect as others questioned her over the alleged attempt. Another clip showed the woman being held and escorted into a car.
The incident comes amid previous reports of attempted newborn theft in Lagos.
In 2023, a 49-year-old woman, Modinat Faniyi, was arraigned before the Yaba Magistrates’ Court for allegedly attempting to steal a newborn at Ahmadiya Muslim Hospital in the Ijaiye-Ojokoro area of the state.
The prosecutor, Thomas Nurudeen, told the court that Faniyi allegedly entered the hospital on June 22, 2023, and attempted to leave with the baby while the mother was asleep.
She was arraigned on a one-count charge of attempted theft.