The Benue State Police Command has rescued a newborn baby who was reportedly stolen immediately after delivery at a healthcare facility in Gboko, Gboko Local Government Area of the state, and arrested 11 suspects in connection with the incident.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Orchia Aondogwu.

He said that on August 12, 2026, at about 11 am, operatives attached to A Division, Gboko, received a complaint from one Aondofa Chia that his wife had delivered a baby at a healthcare facility in Gboko and that the newborn had gone missing shortly after birth.

Aondogwu said that upon receiving the report, police operatives immediately commenced an investigation, which led to the arrest of nine suspects for questioning and to assist in establishing the circumstances surrounding the disappearance.

He said further investigation led to the arrest of two additional suspects at about 10 pm on the same day, including the principal suspect, Mrs Nguhemen Asugh, 35, who allegedly stole the newborn baby. The infant was subsequently rescued from her custody and safely reunited with the mother.

Aondogwu said that with the latest arrests, a total of 11 suspects are currently in police custody in connection with the offence. He added that investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the case, determine the roles played by all the suspects and ascertain each person’s degree of culpability.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed allegations of increased smuggling, revenue leakage, recruitment impropriety and manipulation of succession within the Service, describing them as a misrepresentation of its operations and administrative processes.

A report had alleged intensified smuggling along the Seme, Idiroko, Ilaro, Ipokia and Igbeti-Kishi corridors, as well as manipulation of the 846 valuation code at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and PTML Area Commands.

NCS National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, stated in a statement on Thursday, that the claim of a surge in smuggling was inconsistent with the Service’s enforcement activities and pointing to regular seizures recorded along the affected corridors.

“Our responsibility is to reduce smuggling to the barest minimum, not to claim that it can be completely eradicated,” he said.

On the 846 valuation code, the NCS explained that it was a digital tool designed for vehicles with non-standard or non-compliant Vehicle Identification Numbers, including specialised heavy equipment, classic vehicles and customised models.

“The 846 code is an established digital valuation code within the Customs portal, specifically designated for vehicles with non-standard or non-compliant Vehicle Identification Numbers,” Maiwada said.

He added that standard vehicles were assessed automatically through manufacturer-linked databases, while 846 applications were subjected to secondary approval by valuation officers and Area Controllers.

Maiwada said discrepancies discovered through post-clearance audits could lead to Demand Notices for the recovery of short-collected duties and sanctions against offending operators, adding that revenue collections at major ports had reached historic levels under the digital framework.

On the recruitment of Assistant Superintendents of Customs II, the Service said the exercise was conducted under the authorisation of the Nigeria Customs Service Board and in line with the NCS Act 2023 and Federal Character Commission guidelines.

It said successful candidates were issued provisional offers subject to medical verification, background checks and formal acceptance.

The Service also rejected allegations of succession manipulation and favouritism among officers, saying promotions were determined by seniority, merit, promotion examinations and available vacancies in accordance with established regulations.

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested two men over the alleged illegal transportation of Tramadol capsules worth N5.25 million.

The suspects, Bashiru Ibrahim, 27, and Mustapha Labbo, 26, are both residents of Jamtari. Police said they were arrested while allegedly transporting the drugs from Jamtari to Garwa in Cameroon.

According to the police spokesperson, Suleiman Nguroje, the suspects were intercepted on August 11, 2026, by a patrol team from the Area Command, Yola, at Dabala Village near Malabu.

He said, “A search conducted by the patrol team led to the recovery of 150 packs containing a total of 150,000 Tramadol capsules, with an estimated street value of five million, two hundred and fifty thousand naira (N5,250,000).”

The suspects and the recovered drugs have been taken into police custody, while an investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the drugs and identify other persons involved.

The command urged residents to continue providing useful information to the police to help prevent crime and protect their communities.

“The Adamawa State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Kabir Hassan, reiterates its commitment to combating the trafficking and abuse of illicit and controlled substances in the state,” the statement added.

In a separate development, the police said a child whose identity remains unknown was found by a resident and handed over to the police.

The child was found at the Temporary Market Bypass by Shitu Mahmudu, a resident of Wuro Hausa in Yola South Local Government Area.

Police said the child is currently unable to provide sufficient information about his identity or family and is being kept safely at the Yola Division.

Members of the public who may have useful information, or can identify the child and locate his family are requested to contact the Divisional Police Officer of Yola Division via 08034645512, 08148026762 or visit the nearest police station.