News Investigators/ The Police Command in Jigawa says it has detained two suspects over alleged theft of a baby boy at Babura General Hospital in Babura Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Spokesperson, Lawan Shiisu, confirmed this in a statement on Friday in Dutse.
Mr Shiisu said the suspects were apprehended after police received a distress call from the hospital about the disappearance of a child from its pediatric ward.
He explained that the suspects, a 20-year-old female suspect, is from Kaduna, while the 25-year-old male suspect is a nurse at the affected health facility.
“The command has arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged abduction of a one-and-a-half-year-old baby boy.
“The breakthrough followed a distress call received from Babura General Hospital reporting the disappearance of the child from the pediatric ward.
Acting swiftly on credible intelligence and investigative leads, police operatives tracked and arrested a 20-year-old female suspect at the outskirts of the town in possession of the abducted child.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of a 25-year-old nursing officer attached to Babura General Hospital, who allegedly conspired with the woman in carrying out the criminal act,” he said.
The spokesperson added that during interrogation, the woman confessed to taking the child to an orphanage in Kaduna state with the intention of selling him for N2 million.
According to him, the rescued child has been placed in protective custody and will be reunited with his parent family after the completion of necessary procedures.
“Investigations continue to ascertain the full extent of the conspiracy and identify any other accomplices,” the spokesperson said.
In another development, Shiisu said the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) foiled a suspected armed robbery in Dutse town.
Mr Shiisu said on Thursday, the VCRU team on routine patrol in Dutse intercepted a tinted Sharon Galaxy motor vehicle, ash in color with reg. no. ABC 440 KJ, conveying seven occupants whose movements aroused suspicion.
“Upon being signaled to pull over for routine security checks, the driver refused to comply and sped off, prompting the operatives to give the vehicle a hot chase.
“The pursuit ended when the suspects eventually stopped the vehicle at Baranda bush and opened fire on the police team in a desperate attempt to evade arrest,” Shiisu said.
He said the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled to the bush after the operatives responded professionally.
According to him, after a thorough search of the vehicle, one of the suspects was discovered inside with injuries sustained during the exchange and was immediately evacuated to a medical facility for treatment, but was later confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
He said that efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigation is in progress.
The Jigawa Commissioner of Police, Tijjani Murtala has commended the bravery, professionalism, and prompt response of the operatives involved in both operations.
Mr Murtala reassured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property and urged members of the public to continue supporting the police by providing timely and credible information that will aid in preventing and combating crime across the state.
NAN
