Newborn twin stolen from Koboko Hospital

The case came to light when Asiku Richard, a 43-year-old peasant, and his wife Afekum Baifa, 32, reported their daughter missing five days after the incident. Afekum Baifa had given birth to twins, a boy and a girl, via cesarean section on March 22, with the assistance of Chandiru Beatrice, a 47-year-old helper. The joy of their birth was shattered when one of the twins disappeared while her mother recuperated and her helper was momentarily away.

Police Spokesperson SCP Fred Enanga detailed the sequence of events leading to the disappearance. "While she was asleep, her helper was called by a midwife to assist with a routine task, and upon her return, the female twin was missing," Enanga explained. This incident has underscored the critical lapses in hospital protocols, particularly the involvement of non-staff in sensitive areas of patient care.

A search ensued both within the hospital premises and in the surrounding neighborhood, but it was to no avail.

The incident has since prompted a thorough investigation involving eleven hospital staff members, including midwives, security personnel, and administrators. Their statements have been recorded as part of efforts to uncover the truth behind the abduction and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The phenomenon of newborn theft is not new, as Enanga noted, describing how suspects often prey on new mothers, especially those recovering from cesarean sections. "It is every mother’s nightmare," he said, acknowledging the frequency of such crimes in hospitals. The tactics used by these criminals often involve befriending vulnerable new mothers or their helpers under the guise of offering assistance, only to abscond with their infants.

In response to this heinous crime, police have issued a warning to new mothers to remain vigilant of strangers offering unsolicited help. Furthermore, Enanga urged hospital managers to reinforce security measures within maternity wards to safeguard against such vulnerabilities.

As the community reels from this shocking crime, the police's efforts to trace and recover the stolen baby continue, fueled by the hope of reuniting the newborn with her distraught family. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the need for heightened security and vigilance in places where the youngest and most vulnerable are cared for.

The story of the stolen newborn in Koboko is a stark wake-up call, resonating far beyond the borders of the West Nile Region. It challenges society to ensure the safety of its most precious members and to stand in solidarity with those who have endured unimaginable loss. The fight to recover the stolen twin is more than a police operation; it is a collective endeavor to restore faith in the sanctity of life and the security of our health institutions.

This content was created with the help of an AI model and verified by the writer.