The Lagos State Police Command has approved the dismissal of Insp. Samuel Ukpabio over alleged baby theft.
SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the command’s spokesperson, announced the dismissal on Thursday on his verified Twitter handle.
Hundeyin stated that the recommendation for Ukpabio’s dismissal was approved on Thursday.
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“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,” he said.
Fortune Obhafuoso, a 35-year-old lady, had accused Ukpabio, who was assigned to Panti Division, of conspiring with others to abduct her day-old baby.
According to the single mother of three, Ukpabio detained her, accused her of attempting to sell the baby for N3 million, and compelled her to write a statement to that effect.
Obhafuoso claimed she gave birth on December 22, 2022, and that the next day, Ukpabio forcibly removed the baby and gave him to an unidentified woman.
According to her, she was handed N185,000 and blackmailed by Ukpabio not to return for the child or he would arrest her and remove her other two children.
She subsequently reported the matter to a rights activist, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the Founding Director of the Women Advocates, Research and Documentation Centre, who petitioned security officers for an investigation.