The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects in connection with separate cases of suspected maternal and infant deaths in Akure and Emure-Ile, raising fresh concerns over unsafe childbirth practices in the state.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the arrests followed incidents recorded earlier in April under troubling circumstances.
In the first case reported on April 16, a woman identified as Remilekun alerted the police after her brother, Mr. Bawa Lawal received news of the death of his wife, Mrs. Blessing Bawa, during childbirth. The incident occurred at a private residence in the Gloryland area, off Ado Road in Akure.
The residence, reportedly owned by one Elizabeth Aremu, who allegedly posed as a midwife, was said to have been used for the delivery. Police said the victim developed complications shortly after giving birth and died before she could be moved to a medical facility.
Detectives who visited the scene made a disturbing discovery — the lifeless body of a newborn baby wrapped in a sack. The suspect was immediately arrested.
In a separate incident on April 11, Augustine Kufre reported that his 20-year-old girlfriend, Jenifer Sunday, was taken to a church in Emure-Ile after going into labour. The delivery was allegedly handled by a prophetess identified as Blessing Efiong.
Police said the newborn died at the scene, while the mother later died on the way to the hospital due to complications. The prophetess has also been taken into custody.
Authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing in both cases. The remains of the deceased mothers and their infants have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital in Akure and the Federal Medical Centre morgue for preservation and autopsy.
The police urged residents to seek medical care only from qualified and licensed healthcare providers, especially during childbirth, warning against the dangers of unregulated facilities and untrained individuals.
The Command reiterated its commitment to ensuring justice and preventing further loss of lives through unsafe medical practices.