'Why I stole my friend's baby' - Suspect

Jennifer Onyebuchi, the 26-year-old Okija, Anambra State born lady, who allegedly stole her friend's baby in Lagos State, on September 26, and fled to her hometown before the police traced her there and nabbed her, has given reasons why she engaged in that grave act.

Read: "Heart Of Stone: Woman steals friend's baby in Lagos, escaped to Anambra"

Onyebuchi who claimed to be an orphan, told the police at the state Police Command when she was paraded on Tuesday, October 6, that she stole the baby to convince her boyfriend to marry her since he had promised to pay her bride price if she had a baby for him.

She added that she had lied to her Okija based lover that the baby was the fruit of their relationship.

Read: "Got You: Mother of 7 arrested for stealing baby"

Onyebuchi told the police that she started living with the man in October 2014 but that he refused to pay her bride price until she had a child for him, and that prompted her to come to Lagos and steal the baby so as to convince him to pay her bride price.

“My mother died when I was in primary five. My father had died a few years earlier. My parents had two of us; but a few years ago, my elder sister died during childbirth. So, I was left alone in Anambra State without any relation.

“I gave birth to a child in 2010, but he died after six months. Last year, I met a man who promised to marry me after I had had a child for him.

We started living together in October 2014. I was pregnant, but after three months, I had a miscarriage. I was troubled, and started running after traditional doctors and hospitals, but to no avail. I decided to come to Lagos to work and find a way to get a baby. I came to Lagos in June 2015.

So, I came to the Ajegunle area and I got a job as a fuel attendant. While I was working, I met the baby’s mother and we became friends.

On that Saturday, I went to her shop, which was near the filling station. I said I was going to the Boundary area to buy an item and I would carry her baby with me. She did not object. So, I took the baby from her, and boarded a bus to Anambra State to meet my lover.

I did this so that he could pay my bride price and marry me. I did not tell the baby’s mother that I was taking him to Anambra. We left on Saturday and got to my place on Sunday.

I had the intention to bring the baby back after my bride price had been paid. I lied to my husband that I had been pregnant before I left and gave birth to the baby while in Lagos.

He believed me, and I took good care of the baby for four days before the police showed up in our apartment.

My lover immediately dissociated himself from me. He had not paid the bride price before the police arrested me.

I stole the baby in order to take care of him as mine. I have suffered so much embarrassment because of my childless state. It was the devil’s handiwork. When he wants to work, he takes total control of one,” the tearful suspect narrated.