Hospital Staff Face Probe Over Missing Newborn in Edo

Multiple staff members of a private hospital in Benin City have been taken into custody by the Edo State Police Command over the suspected disappearance of a newborn baby from the facility.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the development on Wednesday, stating that the arrests were made to facilitate a thorough investigation into the incident.

According to her, the affected hospital workers are currently assisting detectives as authorities work to unravel the circumstances surrounding the baby’s disappearance.

She disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, had directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department at the police headquarters for an extensive probe.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

Some health workers from the facility are already assisting with ongoing inquiries,” Ikoedem said.

It was gathered that the private hospital is located on Omouwadiae Street, off Upper Sakponba Road, in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.

Sources familiar with the matter said the incident reportedly occurred after the child’s mother slipped into a postpartum coma shortly after delivery.

The situation allegedly came to light when the woman regained consciousness and requested to see her baby.

However, hospital personnel on duty were reportedly unable to account for the newborn.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the mother immediately raised the alarm after learning that the child could not be located.

“The woman asked to see her baby after regaining consciousness, but the health workers could not produce the child.

The matter was later reported to the police, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance,” the source said.

Efforts to obtain comments from the hospital’s management were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The Chief Medical Director, identified simply as Okungbowa, and a matron who was reportedly on duty when the incident occurred could not be reached for reaction.

Police authorities said investigations are ongoing to determine what transpired and to establish the whereabouts of the missing newborn.