Police Probe Alleged Child Theft in Benue, Suspect Complainant Under Investigation

By: Zagazola Makama 

The Benue State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the alleged disappearance of a two-month-old baby in Gboko Local Government Area of the state.

Police sources said the incident was reported at about 1400 hours on June 22 at the ‘A’ Division, Gboko, by Terna Mbaigbaade of Apine Village, Mbayion.

According to the report, the complainant alleged that while he was at the Gboko Main Market on June 20 at about 1200 hours with his infant son, Aondoyaven-ga Terna, an unidentified woman took the child and disappeared to an unknown destination.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer led a team of detectives to the scene and commenced investigations to establish the identity of the suspected woman and trace the missing child.

Police authorities said efforts to identify the suspect had so far proved unsuccessful, while search operations were ongoing to locate and rescue the infant.

However, investigators disclosed that the complainant was also being questioned as part of the ongoing inquiry, as preliminary findings suggested that the circumstances surrounding the report appeared suspicious.

The case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

Police said efforts were continuing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure the safe recovery of the child.