Woman Cries Out Over Stolen Baby - Accuses Nurses Of Complicity

Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha - 17.05.2008

A middle- aged woman, Chizoba Idayi, has alleged that her male child was stolen few hours after delivery at Chibuike Hospital And Maternity Home, Tarzan Junction, Onitsha, Anambra State.

Mrs. Idayi, a divorcee and mother of two, who hails from Ogwashi-uku in Delta State, but resident in Onitsha, alleged that one Mrs Blessing Okonkwo, a staff of Onitsha North Local Government Area, conspired with one nurse at the hospital, to steal her baby, adding that she was told that she sold the baby to Mrs. Okonkwo.

According to her, after delivery at the hospital on Sunday, 4 May, she was injected with sedative which made her to sleep till Monday morning and on waking up around 9am , she asked for her new baby, only to be told that she signed a document that she had sold the baby for N20, 000.00.

When the suspect, Blessing Okonkwo, was contacted, she declined comment, saying that she did not want to make any comment on the matter.

When contacted, the Ogidi Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Roland Omatoje, confirmed the incident, but said that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka.

All efforts to speak with the Medical Director of the hospital proved abortive, as his nurses said he had travelled out of town.

Speaking with newsmen at Onitsha, Mrs.Idayi, disclosed that she came in contact with the suspect when she had a misunderstanding with one of her neighbours, and the suspect was instrumental to the settlement of the quarrel.

She alleged that the suspect, being a worker at Welfare Department of the local government area where she resided, became closer to her and was giving her money and other gifts which endeared her to the woman whom she now referred to as “Aunty”.

She said that the closeness made the suspect to start asking her intimate questions that resulted in the suspect knowing that she was pregnant.

She also disclosed that Mrs Okonkwo, recommended her for ante-natal at the said hospital, arguing that she too attended her ante-natal at the hospital and could vouch for the efficiency of the hospital.

According to her, trouble started when the time given her for delivery came on the said day, as she was preparing to go to the hospital, when the aunty called her to ascertain her condition and she told her that she was in labour. The aunty directed her to proceed to the same hospital without delay.

She informed her people of her destination. But on reaching there she met the suspect, who collected her mobile telephone and deposited some money before she was led to the labour room.