The woman who allegedly stole a three-day-old baby from Plateau State Specialists Hospital in Jos, the state capital, has given reasons for her action.
The police arrested Mrs. Leritshimwa Dungjil Diyal early this week for stealing an infant after she lied to the mother that a doctor requested for the baby for treatment.
She said she took the action because she is barren.
The suspect said she had been married for seven years and could not bear a child.
Mrs. Diyal, who was paraded at the police commandโs headquarters in Jos on Thursday, also said she had tried to adopt a child but was not successful.
โI am desperate to have a child. That was why I decided to steal one to cover myself of shame in the society,โ she said.
The command also paraded 16 other suspects for crimes ranging from culpable homicide, kidnapping, armed robbery and cattle rustling.
Police Commissioner Isaac Akinmoyede, who paraded the suspects at the commandโs headquarters in Jos, said they will be arraigned in court after investigation.
On the stolen baby, Akinmoyede said: โDue to the painstaking and diligent investigation, coupled with medical reports, the police discovered that Leritshimwa Dungjil Diyal had not given birth as she claimed.
โWhen confronted with this obvious and naked reality, she broke down and confessed to the commission on the crime. The police are investigating her claim that the crime was committed by herself alone.โ
Mrs Diyal, who addressed reporters, confirmed that she committed the crime and regretted her action.
She said: โHonestly, I regret my action. I wish I was dead. I have been married for seven years without a child. I have tried to adopt a child, but to no avail. Honestly, my husband was not aware of the incident. I was just desperate to have a child to call my own.โ
