By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
After two agonizing months, a 20-year-old mother in Delta State has been reunited with her infant son, thanks to the relentless efforts of the Delta State Police Command. The baby, abducted in February during a trip from Koko to Warri, was rescued unharmed following an intensive investigation that culminated in the arrest of a 49-year-old woman suspected of orchestrating the crime.
According to the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, the suspect, identified as Mrs. Joy Temitope Oyetimi, allegedly drugged the unsuspecting mother during the journey, taking off with the two-month-old baby while she was unconscious.
“It’s a deeply disturbing case, but the outcome has brought hope and relief,” Abaniwonda said during a press briefing on Thursday in Asaba. “The suspect took advantage of the mother’s trust. This is a chilling reminder of how easily evil can disguise itself as friendship.”
Police reports reveal that the young mother, whose identity has been withheld for safety reasons, had embarked on a business trip with the suspect on February 16, 2025. Along the way, she was offered a drink, unaware it had been laced with sedatives. She reportedly passed out, only to awaken hours later to discover her child missing.
The case sparked a state-wide manhunt, spearheaded by the Ekpan Divisional Police Headquarters. After weeks of gathering intelligence and working closely with local communities, officers finally tracked down and arrested Mrs. Oyetimi.
The suspect, during interrogation, confessed to the crime, leading officers to the baby, now five months old, who was found unharmed and later reunited with his parents in an emotional moment described as “unforgettable” by eyewitnesses.
“The joy of the mother when she held her baby again is something words cannot describe,” said a senior police officer who participated in the rescue operation.
Abaniwonda praised the Ekpan Division and residents who supported the investigation, emphasizing the importance of community vigilance and timely reporting of suspicious activities.
“This rescue shows the strength of community policing and what can be achieved when citizens and law enforcement work hand-in-hand,” he said.
The police are now investigating whether Mrs. Oyetimi acted alone or as part of a child trafficking syndicate.
A community leader in Warri commended the police’s swift response: “No parent should suffer the heartbreak of losing a child to such betrayal. We are thankful to the police for their courage and professionalism.”
The Delta State Police Command urged the public to be cautious in their interactions, especially when traveling, and encouraged citizens to report any suspicious behavior immediately.
“We remain committed to the safety and protection of our people, especially women and children,” CP Abaniwonda said.