Two women have reportedly been arrested after they were caught attempting to take a four-month-old baby from a six-year-old child at Umuechem Market in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
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The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, after a mother visited the market with her six-year-old child and her four-month-old baby.
According to an account shared about the incident, the woman left the baby in the care of her six-year-old child while she briefly entered the market to purchase some items.
While the mother was away, two women reportedly approached the six-year-old and gave the child an apple. They allegedly took advantage of the moment to attempt to leave with the four-month-old baby.
However, the six-year-old reportedly resisted and began struggling with the women before raising an alarm.
The child’s mother reportedly returned after hearing the commotion and asked her child what had happened. The six-year-old then explained that the women had attempted to take the baby away.
Community security personnel were alerted and reportedly apprehended the two women. They were questioned before the matter was reported to the police, who took custody of the suspects for further investigation.
A statement shared alongside a video of the incident read:
“🚨 COMMUNITY SECURITY ALERT | UMUECHEM MARKET, ETCHE LGA, RIVERS STATE
Wednesday, 19th August 2026
A disturbing incident was reported today at Umuechem Market, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, involving a four-month-old baby and two women who were allegedly attempting to take the child away.
According to the information gathered, a woman went to the market with her 6-year-old child and her 4-month-old baby. She left the six-year-old with the baby while she entered the market to purchase some items.
While the mother was away, two women allegedly approached the six-year-old, gave the child an apple, and attempted to take the four-month-old baby away. The six-year-old reportedly resisted and raised an alarm while struggling to prevent them from taking the baby.
Fortunately, the children’s mother returned immediately after hearing the commotion and asked what was happening. The six-year-old reportedly explained what had occurred.
Community security personnel were immediately alerted. The two women were apprehended and questioned, after which the matter was reported to the police. The suspects were subsequently handed over to the police for further investigation and appropriate legal action.
🚨 This is a serious reminder to parents and guardians to remain extremely vigilant when taking children to public places. Never underestimate the importance of keeping young children within sight and under close supervision.
We commend the community members and security personnel who responded promptly and helped ensure that the matter was reported to the appropriate authorities.”
See video below………..