23-year-old woman sentenced to three years in prison for stealing four-month-old baby in Enugu

A Magistrate Court in Enugu State has sentenced a 23-year-old woman, Rejoice Odoh, to three years in prison for stealing a four-month-old baby from Oye-Emene Market.

The incident occurred on October 20, 2026, when Odoh reportedly pretended to be a customer at the market before carrying the baby away.

According to the police, she took the child to her relatives in Nkanu East Local Government Area, where she falsely presented him as her own son.

Following a police investigation, detectives tracked down the suspect and recovered the baby on October 24, four days after he was taken.

Odoh pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and child stealing.

The court subsequently sentenced her to three years' imprisonment on each count, with both sentences to run concurrently, meaning she will serve a total of three years.

Reacting to the development, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the officers involved in the investigation for their swift response and successful recovery of the child.

He also advised parents and guardians to remain vigilant, particularly in crowded public places, to prevent similar incidents.