Operatives of the Ondo state police command have arrested one Lukman Isiaka and Abosede Olanipekun for allegedly stealing an 18-month-old baby boy from his mother.

Mr Isiaka, who had expressed interest in dating the victim’s mother, lured her to a plaza under the pretense of buying her a phone but disappeared upon arrival at the plaza.

Meanwhile, Ms Olanipekun, whom Mr Isiaka had falsely introduced as his sister, whisked the baby away under the guise of buying biscuits for him. When the mother returned, she discovered her child was missing.

“Mr Lukman Isiaka and Abosede Olanipekun stole a boy of 18 months from the mother after approaching her with intention to date her and introduced Bose as his sister. She left with the baby under the guise of getting biscuit for him while the man lured the mother to Olukayode plaza to buy her a phone. On getting to the plaza, he abandoned her and left,” the command wrote.

“When she realised she was all alone, she went back to the shop and discovered her child was missing, as both Bose and Lukman had left with her child.”

After the case was reported, both suspects were apprehended in Edo State, where they confessed to selling the child to one Sabina Izuorah. The police subsequently arrested Ms Izuorah in Anambra State, where she was found with 14 children, including four babies.

The police stated through intelligence-led policing: “The 2 suspects were arrested in Ottah village in Edo State. The suspects confessed to having sold the baby to one Mrs. Sabina Izuorah in Ihiala, Anambra State.

“The police moved to the state and arrested the said woman with 4 babies and 10 children (2-6 years).”

According to the statement, some parents have identified their stolen children, while others are yet to locate theirs. Efforts are ongoing to reunite all missing children with their families.