Woman captured by CCTV with stolen one-year-old arrested

A woman, Zainab Salisu, who allegedly disguised as a customer to abduct a one-year-old girl, Fehintola Lawal, in the Abule Egba area of Lagos State has been arrested by the police.

Salisu was arrested on Wednesday by policemen attached to the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba, in the Idimu area of the state.

It was learnt that Fehintola and another toddler were found at the hideout, rescued from the suspect before she was whisked away by the police.

PUNCH Metro had reported exclusively on Thursday, May 19, that Salisu, who had earlier identified herself as Mama Oyin, disguised as a customer and allegedly abducted Fehintola in the Abule Egba area on Monday, May 16.

The suspect, on the preceding Saturday, had met the victim’s mother and grandmother, saying she wanted to buy some items from the women who were retailers in a shop in the Abule Egba area.

The items were said to be unavailable.

The suspect was reported to have returned on Monday around 11am after which Fehintola’s mother, Damilola, followed the suspect to get the items in Agege.

The suspect was said to have offered to strap Fehintola to her back when the girl fell asleep while she handed over her bag to the girl’s mother as they proceeded to Agege.

The alleged abduction had taken place on Olaniyi Street in the Oko Oba area, where Salisu, who was on a separate motorcycle, allegedly escaped with the baby.

PUNCH Metro had also reported on Friday, May 20, that a Closed Circuit Television Camera at a supermarket in the Abule Egba area captured the suspect with the one-year-old girl on her back before allegedly escaping with her.

Our correspondent learnt on Wednesday that the woman had been arrested and detained at the SDCI, Yaba.

Fehintola’s aunt, Lolade Oseni, told our correspondent on the telephone that the woman was arrested in the Idimu area.

She said, “The woman was arrested on Koleade Street, Council bus stop in the Idimu area. She was arrested around 1pm on Wednesday. She has confessed to the abduction. She told the police that she wanted to make  Fehintola her own child.

“Another child was found in her apartment. Some other suspects were picked up along with the woman. The police did a good job. The family members are happy.”

Our correspondent learnt that the police were perfecting preparations to release Fehintola to her family members.

The police spokesperson, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed Salisu’s arrest, adding that the girl had been reunited with her family members.