Police arrest hospital workers in Edo over missing newborn

The Edo State Police Command has detained several employees of a private hospital in the state following allegations that a newborn baby went missing from the facility.

ASP Eno Ikoedem, the command’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrests in Benin City and said they were made to allow police officers to investigate the incident.

Ikoedem added that the detained staff are cooperating with the investigation.

She reported that the hospital’s employees had been taken into custody and were assisting investigators.

“Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Agbonika, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Police Headquarters for a comprehensive investigation,” she said.

“He has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, and some health workers are currently assisting the police with ongoing inquiries,” she added.

The hospital is located on Omouwadiae Street, off Upper Sakponba Road, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

The incident reportedly occurred after the mother of the baby fell into a postpartum coma shortly after delivering the child.

A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said confusion began when the woman regained consciousness and asked to see her baby.

The source said the health workers on duty allegedly failed to produce the newborn.

He added that the mother immediately raised the alarm after being informed that the child could not be accounted for.

“The woman demanded to see her baby after regaining consciousness, but the health workers could not produce the child,” he said.

“The matter was subsequently reported to the police, leading to the commencement of investigations into the circumstances surrounding the baby’s disappearance,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director, identified only as Okungbowa, and a matron who was reportedly on duty when the incident occurred could not be reached following the police complaint.

All attempts to obtain comments from the hospital’s management were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.