Mother, accomplice nabbed for killing newborn in Yobe

The Yobe State Police Command has arrested a woman and another suspect over the alleged killing of her newborn baby girl in Damaturu, describing the incident as a “heinous and inhuman act.”

According to a statement issued on Monday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Dungus Abdulkarim, the newborn was allegedly strangled, after which her remains were hidden in a box and dumped behind a mosque in the Anguwar Boka area of Damaturu.

The command said operatives of its Violent Crime Response Unit acted on a distress call received on Tuesday concerning the alleged killing of the infant and the concealment of her remains.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that a female suspect, who recently gave birth to the baby, was allegedly involved in an incident where the child was strangled and the remains concealed in a box before being abandoned behind a mosque at Anguwar Boka area of Damaturu,” the statement read.

The command added that swift police action led to the arrest of two suspects who were under police investigation.

“Following swift police action, two suspects were arrested and are currently assisting the investigation. The case remains under investigation as the Command continues to gather facts and ensure that justice is served,” Abdulkarim stated.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Yobe State Command, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, strongly condemned the alleged act, stressing that every child has a fundamental right to life, protection, and dignity under the law.

“The incident is a heinous and inhuman act. Every human life is precious and must be protected,” the commissioner said, warning that the police would not tolerate any form of violence against children or other vulnerable persons.

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“The command will not tolerate any act of violence against children or any vulnerable person, and anyone found responsible will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Jibrin added.

The command reiterated that every child born possesses inherent rights and deserves care, protection, and dignity, warning that anyone found culpable of violating those rights would face the full weight of the law.

The incident comes barely days after operatives of the Anambra State Police Command foiled an alleged attempt by a 21-year-old woman to sell her newborn baby girl in Igbariam, Anambra East Local Government Area.

In a statement issued on June 22, the Anambra Police Command disclosed that officers attached to the Oyi Divisional Headquarters acted on credible intelligence and successfully prevented the transaction.

“Operatives of the Anambra Police Command attached to Oyi Divisional Station, acting on credible intelligence on June 19, successfully foiled an alleged attempt by a 21-year-old woman to sell her newborn baby,” the command stated.

“The police promptly secured both the mother and her infant daughter and facilitated their reunion with family members to ensure proper care, protection, and support,” it added.

The two incidents have renewed concerns over crimes involving infants and vulnerable children, with law enforcement agencies reiterating their commitment to protecting children’s rights and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.