A 23-year-old woman named Rejoice Odoh has been handed a three-year jail term by an Enugu Magistrate Court after being found guilty of abducting a four-month-old infant at the Oye-Emene Market in Enugu State.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Enugu State Police Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the command said Odoh was convicted of conspiracy and child stealing after pleading guilty to the offences.
The police said the incident occurred on October 20, 2026, at about 9 a.m., when the suspect allegedly took the baby under the guise of helping his mother carry him while she went to purchase an item from a nearby shop.
“Investigation revealed that the suspect, who had previously posed as a customer to the child’s mother, took the baby under the guise of helping to carry him while going to buy an item from a nearby shop, but absconded with him,” the statement said.
According to the command, the suspect subsequently switched off her phone and allegedly conspired with her younger sister, who is currently at large, to present the baby to their family members in Ubahu, Nkanu East Local Government Area, as her own child.
The police said detectives from the command’s State Intelligence Department, working with personnel of the Amechi-Idodo Police Division and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, arrested Odoh and recovered the baby at Idume, Amankanu, in Nkanu East LGA, on October 24 at about 10:30 p.m.
“The child was subsequently reunited with his parents,” the statement added.
Following the conclusion of investigations, the suspect was arraigned before the Enugu Magistrate Court and prosecuted by a police prosecutor from the command’s Legal Section.
The court convicted her on October 29 after she pleaded guilty, sentencing her to three years’ imprisonment for conspiracy and another three years for child stealing, with both sentences to run concurrently.
The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the officers and other individuals involved in the arrest, recovery of the child and prosecution of the case.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, mspsp, smicm, commends the police personnel, members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, and the prosecuting team for their roles in the suspect’s arrest, recovery of the child, and securing of the conviction,” the statement said.
The commissioner also appreciated the court for what the command described as the expeditious dispensation of justice.
He urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and prioritise their children’s safety.
He further advised them to avoid leaving children in the care of untrusted persons and to promptly report missing-child incidents to the police.
What You Should Know
This case highlights the growing concern over child abduction schemes where criminals gain the trust of unsuspecting parents under the guise of offering help. Fortunately, collaborative efforts between security personnel, local vigilantes, and the police led to the safe rescue and reunion of the infant with his family.
- Positive Impact: The swift response and cooperation between the police, neighborhood watch, and local community successfully rescued the baby unharmed and secured a quick conviction.
- Potential Concerns: The incident serves as a serious warning for parents and guardians to remain extremely vigilant and avoid leaving young children in the care of strangers or untrusted individuals.
