Prophetess, couple arrested over theft of 9-day old baby

Adelowo Oladipo, Lagos - 13.03.2008

The police in Lagos State have arrested the pastor and founder of Truth Visionary Mission, Igando, Lagos, Prophetess Ngozi Okafor, over an alleged theft of a nine-day old baby boy.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that Prophetess Okafor was arrested when a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Uche Ogoh, hosted a party for the naming ceremony of a newborn baby somewhere in Igando.

It was further gathered that soon after people in the neighbourhood got wind of the party held by the couple, they became suspicious and reported to the police.

Nigerian Tribune further learnt that some of the concerned neighbours alerted the police to the strange naming ceremony being held by the couple and the policemen from Igando police station arrested the couple.

It was also gathered that after interrogation by the police, the couple confessed that the baby was sold to them by the prophetess.

The couple and Prophetess Okafor are now being detained at the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba.

Sources at the SCID said Mr. and Mrs. Ogoh confessed after several denials, adding that the boy in question had been taken to an undisclosed hospital pending when the biological mother would be found.

The state Police Public Relations Officer Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the incident in an interview on Wednesday.

In another development, residents of Gowon Estate in Egbeda area of the state were on Tuesday thrown into pandemonium following the crushing of four commercial motorcyclists and an unidentified 11-year old street hawker.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that a truck marked XE 268 NND allegedly lost control around 31 Road in the estate and crashed into the victims.

The truck was said to have taken off at 11 Road at top speed when its brakes failed.