VIDEO: Woman Poses as Nurse to Steal Newborns in Anambra

There was shock in Anambra State on Tuesday when a woman dressed as a nurse tried to steal newborns in a hospital.

This incident took place at Divine Mercy Hospital, a private hospital located in Awada, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra.

Sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the woman entered the hospital and said she was a new nurse there.

According to the sources, she had a bag containing a nurse's outfit and went to the children's ward where she reportedly tried to take some newborns.

Some video clips shared on Facebook showed patients and new mothers accusing the woman of being “a child trafficker and criminal.”

In one of the clips seen by PREMIUM TIMES, people, including the hospital staff, confronted the woman.

In the video, one patient explained what happened.

“This is what is happening in Divine Mercy (Hospital) today (Tuesday). Somebody walked into the hospital, wore a white gown and claimed she is a nurse and tried to carry some newborns and she was caught,” the patient said in Igbo language.

Another patient, in a different clip, mentioned that the woman had asked new mothers about the gender of their babies.

The patient said after asking about the gender, the woman went outside, called someone and asked what gender of children the person wanted.

Police Reaction

The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the event in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the woman is now under “protective custody” after police officers from the Awada Divisional Headquarters rescued her from an angry crowd.

“The suspect is currently in protective custody and assisting the investigating police officers in identifying others involved,” he said.

The spokesperson noted that this case is suspected to involve child trafficking and that police are investigating it.

He said: “According to eyewitness accounts, the suspect on the afternoon of 23rd June 2026 allegedly entered the hospital dressed like a nurse and was seen making secret video recordings of newborn babies in the maternity ward.

“When questioned by hospital staff and others present, she reportedly claimed to be an employee of the hospital.

“However, upon checking, the hospital management confirmed that she was not one of their staff.”