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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Police arrest fake pastor, woman over abduction of four-week-old baby

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Niger State Police have arrested a fake pastor and an accomplice for allegedly abducting a four-week-old baby.
  • The suspects allegedly lured the mother and child with the promise of aid from a benefactor.
  • The baby has been rescued and reunited with its mother, and the suspects are in custody pending prosecution.

Authorities in Niger State, Nigeria, have apprehended a self-proclaimed pastor and his alleged accomplice in connection with the abduction of a four-week-old infant. The Niger State Police Command announced the arrests, which followed a report filed on July 14 regarding the baby's disappearance from the Mobil Roundabout area in Minna.

Upon receipt of the report, police detectives from the division immediately commenced investigation and deployed technical intelligence, which led to the arrest of Chidi Johnson, aka ‘Yaron Pastor’, 24, of Abdulsalam Quarters.

— Wasiu AbiodunDetailing the police's investigative process.

According to police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun, detectives initiated an investigation using technical intelligence, which led to the identification and arrest of Chidi Johnson, also known as "Yaron Pastor." Johnson, 24, reportedly confessed that Zainab Ibrahim, 22, had hired him to procure a newborn baby after claiming to have suffered a miscarriage.

During investigation, he confessed that Zainab Ibrahim, 22, of Alagbado Area, Minna, but residing in Sokoto State, had contracted him to procure a newborn baby following her reported miscarriage.

— Wasiu AbiodunExplaining the alleged motive behind the abduction.

Investigators detailed how Johnson allegedly deceived the baby's mother and her friend on July 13. He lured them to the Kasuwan-Gwari area, promising food items and alms from a benefactor. Upon meeting them near an uncompleted building by the Mobil Roundabout, Johnson offered the mother and child snacks and drinks to gain their trust while pretending to play with the baby.

Johnson said it was on the pretext that the child would be given food items and alms by a benefactor.

— Wasiu AbiodunDescribing the method used to lure the mother.

During this ruse, Johnson allegedly fled with the infant through a rear exit, escaping on a motorcycle to an undisclosed location. Following Johnson's arrest, Ibrahim was also apprehended. Authorities confirmed that the four-week-old baby was successfully rescued and has been reunited with its mother. Both suspects remain in custody as the investigation continues, with charges expected to be filed for prosecution.

Upon arrival at the uncompleted building, Johnson offered snacks and soft drinks to gain their confidence while pretending to play with the baby.

— Wasiu AbiodunIllustrating the deceptive tactics employed.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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