By Annette Ikponmwonba | October 19, 2026
Key Points
· Patients and staff at P and G Hospital in Abule-Egba, Lagos, foiled an alleged attempt by a woman to steal a newborn baby on Saturday
· The suspect reportedly pretended to be pregnant by stuffing pieces of cloth under her clothing
· Another woman allegedly posed as someone who had come to assist her with delivery
· Lagos Police Command confirmed the suspect is in custody and will be arraigned after investigations conclude
· Police are still searching for the fleeing accomplice
· A similar case was reported in 2023 at Ahmadiya Muslim Hospital in Ijaiye-Ojokoro
Main Story
Some patients and hospital staff members at the P and G Hospital in Abule-Egba, Lagos State, on Saturday, foiled an alleged attempt by a woman to steal a newborn baby. Metro learnt from the Lagos State Police Command on Sunday that the suspect had been detained and would be arraigned after the conclusion of investigations, The suspect reportedly pretended to be pregnant by stuffing pieces of cloth under her clothing, while another woman allegedly posed as someone who had come to assist her with delivery.
In one viral video seen by Metro, the suspect was forced onto a seat as the pieces of cloth under her clothing fell to the floor. As she was being dragged towards the seat, a man in traditional attire was seen slapping her across the face while others questioned her. Another video showed the suspect being held as she was made to enter a car.
The Issues
The incident points to a recurring security gap in hospitals, where newborns can be vulnerable to people who pose as patients or helpers. The alleged use of a fake pregnancy and a second woman acting as a birth assistant suggests a planned operation designed to blend in with normal maternity activity, It also raises questions about access control in maternity wards, including how visitors and companions are screened. The quick action of patients and staff prevented harm in this case, but it relied on vigilance rather than formal safeguards.
The viral videos showing the suspect being slapped and dragged also raise concerns about mob action. While public anger over such an alleged crime is understandable, suspects are entitled to due process, and the police have stepped in to handle the case.
What’s Being Said
Lagos Police Command spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi confirmed the incident in response to an enquiry by Metro. “The alleged perpetrator is currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the accomplice and charge the case to court as soon as the investigation is concluded,” she said, No statement from the hospital or the suspect was included in the report.
What’s Next
The suspect is expected to be arraigned once investigations are concluded, while police continue efforts to arrest the fleeing accomplice. Attention will also turn to whether the hospital or health authorities announce tighter security measures in maternity wards.
The case recalls a 2023 incident in which Modinat Faniyi, 49, was arraigned at the Yaba Magistrates’ Court on a one-count charge of attempted theft after allegedly trying to take a newborn from Ahmadiya Muslim Hospital in Ijaiye-Ojokoro. The prosecutor said she entered the hospital on June 22, 2023, and tried to leave with the baby while the mother was asleep.
Bottom Line
Quick action by patients and staff stopped an alleged newborn theft in Abule-Egba, but with one suspect in custody and an accomplice still at large, the case highlights the need for stronger security in hospital maternity wards.
