Two nurses and a serving female soldier have been arrested in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State over the alleged theft and sale of a newborn baby.
The incident came to light after 19-year-old Justina Valentine Boniface from Aningeje village raised alarm that her newborn son was stolen shortly after delivery at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Aningeje on August 12, 2025.
Boniface said she had been receiving antenatal care at the same PHC and gave birth there. However, while she was asleep after delivery, the two nurses on duty—Ndifon Nelly Ekpu (45) and Obi Mary Baken (38)—told her that the baby had died and was buried within the facility.
Suspicious of the explanation, Boniface investigated and later found out the baby was not dead. She reported the case to the police.
Following the report, police arrested the two nurses, who later confessed to selling the child to a serving soldier, W/Sgt. Aisha Yakubu, of the Nigerian Army. The soldier has also been taken into custody.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the arrests and said efforts are ongoing to trace the final buyer of the child and ensure the safe return of the baby.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents, with calls for a thorough investigation and prosecution of all involved.
