Port Loko, May 20, 2025 — Police in Port Loko have recovered a six-day-old baby who was stolen from the maternity ward of the Port Loko Government Hospital, following a brief but intense investigation.
The child’s mother, Zainab Bangura of Kombra Bai village, had recently delivered twins via cesarean section. According to police, she had briefly left the ward to use the restroom, leaving the babies in the care of her own mother. Upon her return, one of the infants was missing.
Officers launched an immediate investigation and recovered a phone believed to be linked to the suspect. That clue led them to arrest Zainab Kamara, a second-year student at Abako College. She later confessed to the abduction and claimed she had acted alone, falsely stating that the baby was hers.
Police said Kamara was unable to provide any medical records or antenatal documentation to support her story. The child was positively identified by his mother through a unique mark on his lower ear.
Authorities confirmed the baby is in good health and has since been returned to his family. The Sierra Leone Police held a briefing to update key stakeholders, including the Port Loko District Council Chairman, the Deputy Mayor, civil society groups, and human rights advocates.
