Police Officer Dismissed Over Alleged Baby Theft In Lagos

An Inspector of the Nigeria Police Force serving with Lagos State Command, Samuel Ukpabio, has been dismissed from the force over alleged baby theft.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the dismissal in a statement on Thursday, noting that the recommendation for Ukpabio’s dismissal was approved following some investigations.

“The recommendation for the dismissal of Inspector Samuel Ukpabio has been approved.

“This automatically paves way for his prosecution.

“The State Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, assures Lagosians of his unwavering determination to police the state within the dictates of rule of law, civility and respect for human life,” Hundeyin noted via his Twitter handle.

Ukpabio Accused

Naija News understands that a 35-year-woman, Fortune Obhafuoso, had earlier approached the state police command to accuse Inspector Ukpabio of conniving with some persons to steal her day-old baby.

According to her, the security personnel who was attached to Panti Division arrested her, accused her of attempting to sell the baby for N3 million and forced her to write a statement to that effect.

Obhafuoso who told the command that she gave birth on Dec. 22, 2022, said the following day, Ukpabio forcefully took away the baby and gave him to an unidentified woman.

She further disclosed that the police officer and his accomplices gave her N185,000 and threatened her never to return for the child or he will arrest her and take the remaining two children from her.

She eventually reported the matter to a rights activist, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the Founding Director, Women Advocates, Research and Documentation Centre, who petitioned security agents to wade into the issue.