Enugu Baby Stealing Case: 23‑year‑old sentenced to three years

A magistrate court in Enugu State handed down a three‑year prison term to 23‑year‑old Rejoice Odoh on Thursday for baby stealing enugu, after she was found guilty of abducting a four‑month‑old infant from the bustling Oye‑Emene Market on 20 October 2026. Police say Odoh posed as a customer, lifted the child from a vendor’s stall and fled to relatives in Nkanu East Local Government Area, where she tried to pass the baby off as her own son. The child was recovered four days later, and Odoh pleaded guilty to conspiracy and child‑stealing charges.

The court’s judgment required Odoh to serve three years on each count, but the sentences will run concurrently, meaning she will spend a total of three years behind bars. The magistrate noted that the swift investigation and cooperation of market traders were instrumental in locating the infant, and she emphasized that the punishment reflects the seriousness of kidnapping a vulnerable child in a public place. The decision follows a police operation that traced Odoh’s movements from the market to her relatives’ home, where detectives discovered the baby hidden among family belongings.

Enugu State Commissioner of Police Mamman Bitrus Giwa praised the officers who responded to the report, describing their work as “swift and decisive” and highlighting the successful recovery of the child as a proof of effective policing. Giwa urged parents and guardians to stay alert in crowded venues such as markets, bus stations and festivals, warning that criminals may exploit the chaos to target unsuspecting families. He added that the police will continue to monitor high‑traffic areas and increase patrols during peak shopping periods to deter similar attempts.

The incident has sparked concern among market traders and local residents who rely on Oye‑Emene Market for daily commerce. Many vendors recalled the day the baby vanished, describing a frantic search that involved shouting names and checking nearby stalls. Some said they had never witnessed a kidnapping of this nature in the market before, noting that the event has left a lingering sense of unease. Community leaders have called for better security measures, including the installation of CCTV cameras and the deployment of plain‑clothes officers during busy trading hours.

Child welfare advocates in Enugu have used the case to call attention to broader issues of child protection in Nigeria. While the country has laws that criminalize abduction and trafficking of minors, enforcement can be uneven, especially in rural and semi‑urban settings. Organizations such as the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights often stress the need for public education campaigns that inform parents about the signs of potential threats and the steps to take if a child goes missing. The commission has previously partnered with local police to run “Safe Children” workshops, and officials say they will revisit those programs in light of the recent baby stealing enugu episode.

Legal experts note that the concurrent sentencing aligns with precedent in similar kidnapping cases, where courts aim to balance punishment with the possibility of rehabilitation. Professor Chukwudi Nwankwo of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, explained that a three‑year term for a first‑time offender who has shown remorse and cooperated with investigators is within the range of typical judgments. He cautioned, however, that repeat offenders could face much harsher penalties, including life imprisonment, under the Child Rights Act. Nwankwo also pointed out that the public nature of the trial serves as a deterrent, reminding would‑be abductors that law enforcement can track movements even across local government boundaries.

The recovered infant, now back with his biological parents, is reported to be in good health, though the family has expressed lingering trauma from the ordeal. Medical staff who examined the child noted that he showed no signs of physical harm, but psychological support has been recommended to help him and his parents cope with the shock. The parents declined to comment publicly, citing a desire for privacy while they focus on rebuilding a sense of normalcy.

The next step for the justice system involves the formal intake of Odoh into the state correctional facility, where she will serve her three‑year term. Prison officials have indicated that she will be placed in a women’s wing and will be subject to regular reviews to assess her behavior and eligibility for any early release programs. Meanwhile, the Enugu police department has announced plans to hold a community outreach meeting next week, aiming to educate market shoppers on how to spot suspicious behavior and report it promptly. The meeting will be open to the public and is expected to feature representatives from the police, child welfare agencies and local market associations.