Punch reports that the suspect, Chisa Ejionwu, decided to steal the boy after she was told that her chances of having a baby were slim.

Ejionwu said she stole the boy, Michael, at Ogbogoro in the Obio/Akpo on April 17 and took him to Emeoha where she registered him in one of the schools in the area.

Luck, however, ran out on her when she was seen by a neighbour of the boy’s parents while she was taking him (Michael) to school in the morning.

Ejionwu was immediately dragged to the traditional ruler of the place in Emeoha.

The boy’s grandfather, Mr. Michael Ibiamana, was contacted and he went to the traditional ruler’s palace.

The grandfather said they had been looking for Michael since April and had declared him missing.

“I was surprised when one of my neighbours called me to say my grandson has been found and that I should come to the palace of the traditional ruler.

“When I got there, the lady that stole my grandson insisted that the boy was his son. I went out and brought in a team of policemen, who arrested everybody.

“It was when we were all brought to the state police command headquarters that the lady that stole my grandson confessed,” Ibiamana said.

Ejionwu, who was in tears, said she had undergone an operation and was told that she would no longer be able to bear children.

“I subsequently decide to steal the boy and registered him in a school. It was when I was taking him to school that a lady that recognised the boy confronted me. I was not planning to sell the child. I only wanted to have him for myself,” Ejionwu said.

The boy’s pregnant mother, Evelyn, expressed gratitude to the police, adding that she fainted when she learnt that her son was missing.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, said Ejionwu would be prosecuted at the end of ongoing investigation.