By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
The Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Command has taken disciplinary action against Inspector Samuel Ukpabio who was indicted on baby theft.
The Police authorities on Thursday approved the dismissal of Inspector Samuel Ukpabio and subsequent prosecution for his unlawful act.
The command’s spokesman Superintendent of Police (SP) Benjamin Hundeyin revealed the information on his verified Twitter handle.
He disclosed that the recommendation of Ukpabio’s dismissal was approved by the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.
“The recommendation for the dismissal of Inspector Samuel Ukpabio has been approved. This automatically paves way for his prosecution.
“The State Commissioner of Police (CP) Idowu Owohunwa, assures Lagosians of his unwavering determination to police the state within the dictates of rule of law, civility and respect for human life,” Hundeyin said.
Recall that Vanguard reported that a 35-year-woman, Fortune Obhafuoso, had accused Ukpabio, who was attached to Panti Division of the Nigeria Police, of conniving with others to steal her day-old baby.
The single mother of three claimed that Ukpabio arrested her, accused her of attempting to sell the baby for N3million and forced her to write a statement to that effect.
Obhafuoso, who claimed that she gave birth on December 22, 2022, said the following day, Ukpabio forcefully took away the baby and gave him to an unidentified woman.
According to her, she was given N185, 000 and threatened by Ukpabio never to return for the child or he will arrest her and take the remaining two children from her.
She eventually reported the matter to a rights activist, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the Founding Director, Women Advocates, Research and Documentation Centre, who petitioned security agents to wade into the issue.