ASABA: Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a woman identified simply as Joy for allegedly abducting two infants in a desperate attempt to replace her deceased twins and prevent her partner from leaving her.
The spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the incident while parading the suspect. In a video shared online, Edafe revealed that preliminary investigations showed the suspect targeted unsuspecting traders by pretending to be a customer before making away with their babies.
According to the police, Joy allegedly first stole a four-month-old baby belonging to a groundnut seller before abducting another infant from a woman who sold ticketing stubs.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime, claiming she acted out of fear of losing her relationship.
She told investigators that her partner had previously abandoned her because of repeated miscarriages.
Joy said she later gave birth to a set of twins, a boy and a girl, but both babies died six weeks after birth. Afraid that the loss would lead to another breakup, she concealed their deaths from her partner.
She further revealed that her partner had already made elaborate arrangements for a child dedication ceremony scheduled for Sunday, prompting her to allegedly kidnap two babies and present them as her surviving twins.
The scheme, however, unraveled after the mothers of the missing children separately reported the incidents to the police. Following a coordinated investigation and tracking operation, officers traced the suspect, rescued the two infants and took Joy into custody.
The Delta State Police Command said further investigations are ongoing and that the suspect will be prosecuted accordingly.
