Young Delta mother arrested for throwing her baby into river

Young Delta mother arrested for throwing her baby into river

The Delta State Police Command has paraded over 30 suspects involved in various crimes, including robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and murder.

Among the suspects was a young woman, Ms. Blessing Ibuku, who shocked the public with her confession of killing her 10-month-old baby, Prevail Jonathan, by throwing the infant into a community river.

The state Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, disclosed this during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Asaba on Tuesday. He explained that Ibuku’s heinous act stemmed from the emotional trauma of being mocked for having a “fatherless” child.

Commissioner Olufemi, who assumed office as the 22nd Commissioner of Police in February 2024, highlighted the command’s achievements in tackling crime.

The recent operations led to the recovery of 150 arms, including 32 AK-47 rifles, as well as the arrests of suspects linked to major criminal activities across the state.

“This incident involving Ms. Ibuku underscores the depth of societal challenges that fuel crime and violence. Our efforts are geared toward ensuring such acts are curbed,” Olufemi stated.

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The arrests and recoveries are part of an ongoing strategy by the Delta State Police Command to rid the state of criminal elements. The commissioner assured residents that the command remains committed to maintaining law and order while addressing the root causes of crime, including socio-economic pressures and mental health issues.

While addressing the media, Commissioner Olufemi called on community members to assist the police with timely information to prevent similar tragedies. He also emphasized the importance of addressing societal stigmas that push vulnerable individuals to desperate acts.

“These suspects were arrested in the past month. While we have faced challenges, the support of other security agencies, stakeholders, and the good people of Delta State has enabled us to restore peace to a reasonable extent,” he said.

One of the cases highlighted was the tragic death of a 10-month-old baby, Prevail Jonathan, reported missing on December 4, 2024.

The police later recovered the child’s lifeless body from the Aviara community river.

During the investigation, the baby’s mother, Blessing Ibuku, confessed to throwing her child into the river on November 31, 2024.

According to her confession, she acted due to mockery from friends who teased her about the child being fatherless.

The suspect is currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing.

Also on November 27, 2024, the CP said the command acted on a distress call regarding a kidnapping incident along DLA Road in Asaba.

Four hoodlums operating in a Toyota Camry with registration number BLF 490 AA abducted a man and a woman and stole a Toyota Camry belonging to one of the victims.

The command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad led by its commander, tracked the suspects to the Asaba-Benin Expressway.

Although the kidnappers had released the victims, they abandoned their operational vehicle upon sighting the police and fled into a nearby bush.

Recovered from the suspects’ vehicle was an AK-47 rifle with a defaced breach number, two pump-action guns, one magazine, eight rounds of AK-47 ammunition, and 21 live cartridges concealed under the engine.

In another operation on December 2, 2024, operatives of SAKCCS, in collaboration with the Rapid Response Squad and Buffalo Squad, raided a hideout behind Anioma Market, Asaba. Ten suspects linked to a series of robberies in Asaba, Okpanam, and Issele-Uku were arrested, and arms were recovered.

Olufemi also revealed the arrest of one Destiny Lawrence, who confessed to being hired by a native doctor, Jonah, from Otolokpo community, to kidnap a young boy for N30,000. He said Lawrence lured the victim to an uncompleted building, where Jonah reportedly slit the boy’s throat.

Providing a scorecard of the command’s achievements, Olufemi said a total of 678 suspects were arrested, while 150 arms, including 32 AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, were recovered within the review period.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Delta State Police Command to ensuring the safety and security of residents while calling for continued cooperation from the public in providing actionable information.