It will be recalled that the infant was abducted from Okeyimi Health Centre on Monday, August 4, 2025.
Confirming the development on Wednesday, August 6, in Ado-Ekiti, the spokesperson for the Ekiti State Police Command, Abutu Sunday, revealed that the baby was found following a thorough investigation aided by credible intelligence.
The police arrested one Deborah Ayeni, a resident of Afao Road, Ado-Ekiti, in connection with the crime.
The child has since been reunited with the biological parents, 29-year-old Mustapha Aliyu and 22-year-old Salmatu Lawal.
“The suspect, apprehended today, August 6, 2025, has confessed to the crime, and the baby has been safely recovered from her,” said the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO).
Further investigation showed that the suspect had been pretending to be pregnant and had deceived her husband, who lives in the United Kingdom, into believing she was expecting a child.
She admitted to kidnapping the baby in a desperate attempt to conceal her false claims, having already received significant financial support from her husband under the pretense of pregnancy.
The police have since returned the rescued child to the parents, while the suspect remains in custody and will face further investigation and prosecution.
The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, has urged citizens to remain vigilant and security conscious at all times. He also appealed to the public to continue assisting the police by providing credible and timely information that can help track down criminal elements within the community.