The Benue State Police Command has rescued a newborn baby allegedly abducted from a medical facility in Gboko and arrested several suspects in connection with the incident.

The infant was reportedly taken shortly after birth from a private healthcare facility in Gboko. The mother raised the alarm after discovering that her baby was missing from the maternity ward, prompting the hospital to alert the police.

Following the report, detectives attached to the Gboko Division launched an investigation and commenced an intelligence-led search for the missing child.

Police operatives subsequently traced the suspects to a location where the baby was being held and recovered the infant. Several individuals believed to be connected to the alleged abduction were arrested during the operation.

The rescued baby was taken to a health facility for medical examination and was reportedly found to be in stable condition before being reunited with the mother.

The police said preliminary investigations were focused on determining how the suspects gained access to the healthcare facility and whether the incident was connected to a wider child trafficking network.

The command urged hospitals and other healthcare facilities to strengthen security measures around maternity wards and improve procedures for monitoring access to newborns.

The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue. Police said those found to have been involved would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.

The recovery has also renewed concerns about the security of mothers and newborns in healthcare facilities and the need for stronger measures to prevent child abduction and trafficking.