Police Commissioner Emmanuel Mbock of the Central Police station
A 38 year old woman has been arrested in Bamenda after abducting a three week old baby.
The lady was picked up at the Bamenda Upstation area after keeping the child for close to a month.
The Commissioner of the Bamenda Central Police, Emmanuel Mbock explains that Priscilla met with the mother of the child (Catherine) at the Tubah District Hospital in Bambui. She familiarized with the woman and asked for her contact details to visit the child when she puts to birth.
On that faithful 7th January, Priscilla came visiting with two tablets of soap. Priscilla then pulled out a 500 Frs bank note and gave it to the lady to purchase a bottle of top which they both shared.
Priscilla, suspect
Few hours later, she complained of acute pain on the belle and needed to drink top milk. She pulled another 500 Frs and handed to her to purchase it.
Upon her return, she could not find the baby nor Priscilla. After crying and cursing, Catherine a lady from Ndu, reported the matter to the Bamenda Central Police.
The baby at just three weeks old was carried to Bafut. The Bamenda Central Police Commissioner explains that Catherine's phone was taken in the process and she could barely remember the number that Priscilla used to call her.
It took the unmatched expertise of the police to finally get to Priscilla who was spotted in Bafut. Understanding how difficult Bafut is to access, the police had to lure her to bring the baby to Bamenda. She felt for the plot and came out of her hiding on Thursday 30th January 2025 where she was arrested and investigations opened.
The mother of the baby, Catherine, speaking to The Observer, lamented that she has not slept since the baby was stolen.
"I have not been able to sleep. I pray. I pray everyday. I had even cursed this woman who took away my baby." Catherine said carrying her almost two months old baby.
Catherine, victim
The mother of two was visibly satisfied throwing praises at the police as she carried her baby.
Priscilla quizzed as to why she had to abduct a baby, in disjointed sentences said "I wanted to help the baby." Priscilla explained that she does not have a child so she wanted to take the baby and help her. She posits that she wanted to help the child but cannot say why she didn't open up to the mother.
"I saw the condition of the child. The child was born and wasn't fine. So I wanted to support her financially. I am a petty trader." Priscilla said.
Priscilla went further to say that she had a miscarriage in the past and till date doesn't have a child.
While her act is punishable under Section 352 and 353 of the Cameroon Penal code, Police Commissioner Emmanuel Mbock explained that this is the first time the Central Police station has dealt with the kidnapping of a toddler.
He advises the public to consult with his service in case they are faced with such a circumstance.
Priscilla will be brought before the competent judicial services to answer for her crime.
By
Ndi Tsembom Elvis
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