Woman Jailed Three Years for Stealing Four-Month-Old Baby
By Trek Africa Newspaper
A 23-year-old woman, Rejoice Odoh, has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for stealing a four-month-old baby boy at Oye-Emene Market in Emene, Enugu State.
Odoh was convicted by the Enugu Magistrate Court on October 29, 2026, after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy and child stealing.
According to the Enugu State Police Command, the incident occurred on October 20, at about 9:00 a.m., when the suspect allegedly took advantage of her familiarity with the baby’s mother to steal the child.
Police investigations revealed that Odoh had previously approached the mother under the guise of being a customer. On the day of the incident, she reportedly offered to help carry the baby while the mother went to purchase an item from a nearby shop.
However, rather than return the child, she allegedly absconded with him.
The suspect subsequently switched off her phone and conspired with her younger sister, who is currently at large, to present the baby to their family members at Ubahu, Nkanu East Local Government Area, as her own child.
Following a report of the incident and intelligence gathering, detectives from the State Intelligence Department, working with personnel of the Amechi-Idodo Police Division and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, tracked down the suspect.
The police 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.
After investigations were concluded, Odoh was arraigned before the Enugu Magistrate Court and prosecuted by a police prosecutor from the Command’s Legal Section.
The court sentenced her to three years’ imprisonment for conspiracy and another three years for child stealing. Both sentences are to run concurrently, meaning she will serve a total of three years in prison.
Reacting to the conviction, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the police personnel, Neighbourhood Watch members and prosecuting team for their contributions to the arrest, recovery of the child and successful prosecution.
He also appreciated the court for the speedy dispensation of justice.
The police commissioner urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant, prioritise children’s safety and avoid leaving their children in the care of people they do not trust.
He further advised members of the public to report missing-child incidents to the police without delay.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on October 29, 2026, by the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe.
Trek Africa Newspaper reports that the case highlights the importance of vigilance and prompt reporting in efforts to protect children from abduction and other forms of child-related crimes.
