There was confusion in Rumuokurusi community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers when an unidentified woman in a commercial tricycle (keke) snatched a 13-month-old baby, Chinazamepkere Eke, and disappeared to an unknown destination.
The unidentified woman had ostensibly instructed the keke rider to get close to a six-year-old girl known as Chinyere Agbai carrying the baby on her back, before pulling her victim into the vehicle to Agbai’s dismay.
It was gathered that the child theft, which happened at about 8.30 am on Monday shocked indigenes of the community, who said that such an incident had never occurred in the area.
The distraught mother of the stolen child, Ms. Oluchi Eke, who spoke with Southern City News on Thursday, said she was in her shop where she sells provisions when she learnt that her baby girl had been stolen.
Eke, who said she had separated with her husband, explained that she was dazed by the information she got about her baby.
The 31-year-old mother of two said it was not the first time her baby would be brought to her in the shop and wondered why a fellow woman would steal her second child in such a manner.
Eke, however, explained that she had reported the matter at Elimgbu Police Station.
According to her, “This thing happened on Monday; my first daughter was carrying the little girl to the shop on the road around Orianwo Street, by Tank junction in Rumuokurusi.
“A woman in a keke dragged the little baby into the Keke and went away with my child. The baby that was carrying the little girl is six years.
“I was in my shop while the two children were coming to meet me because they had returned from their extra-moral class.
“When the thing happened, I went to Elimbgu Police Station to report it. The police said I should be coming to the station. I have put everything in God’s hands.”
Eke, who is from Bende LGA in Abia State, pointed out that she had not called her estranged husband to inform him about the development, adding that she was not sure if her husband was aware of the stolen child.
She, nevertheless, defended her husband, maintaining that her husband, Mr. Okechukwu Agbai, cannot be involved in the stealing of her child.
“I am not in good term with my husband. I am not suspecting my husband to have a hand in the act. The baby is one year, one month now.
“My husband’s name is Mr Okachukwu Agbai. I have not called him after the incident happened. I don’t know if he has heard of it.
“I have been calling his number for over two months now, but it is not going. I have two children, two girls and they have taken one.
“My husband did not claim ownership of the baby. I want the world to hear of the stealing of my child and I appeal to the police to help me to find my baby.”
According to Eke, who is popularly known as Mama Chinaza, her stolen baby has two birthmarks under one of her armpits and big eyeballs.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, said he had yet to be briefed on the matter.
He, however, promised to call the Divisional Police Officer of the area to get details on the stolen child.
Source: Punch
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