On this day, October 7, 2026, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command announced the arrest of a 27-year-old woman, identified as Precious Yohanna, in connection with the alleged killing of her newborn baby in the Jabi area of Abuja.
The case came to public attention after the discovery of the lifeless body of a male infant in a bush near Jabi on October 4, 2026.
Discovery of the Newborn
According to the FCT Police Command, officers received a distress call at approximately 10:30 p.m. on October 4, reporting that an abandoned baby had been discovered in a bush in the Jabi area.
Police operatives from the Jabi Division responded to the report and found the body of a male infant with deep wounds to the throat and abdomen.
The baby was taken to a nearby hospital, where medical personnel confirmed that he was dead.
Following the discovery, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, ordered a manhunt for the person believed to be responsible.
The investigation eventually led police to Precious Yohanna, a 27-year-old woman identified by the police as a native of Riyam in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State and a resident of the Daki-Biu/Jabi area of the FCT.
The police said members of the immediate community assisted investigators in tracing and identifying Yohanna, after which she was arrested in connection with the infant’s death.
What Police Said Happened
According to the police investigation, Yohanna gave birth to the baby inside her room at approximately 4:00 p.m. on October 3, 2026, one day before the infant was discovered in the bush.
The police alleged that after giving birth, she used a razor blade to inflict injuries on the newborn that resulted in his death.
The command further stated that during questioning, the suspect reportedly told investigators that she carried out the act because of hatred for the baby’s father. This reported motive remains an allegation contained in the police account and has not been established by a court.
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Police Investigation Continues
The FCT Police Command described the incident as a serious violation of human life and commended members of the community who assisted officers in tracing the suspect.
The command said Yohanna remained in police custody while investigations continued. Police also stated that she would be charged before a court after the conclusion of the investigation.
The case became one of the notable crime stories reported in Abuja on October 7, 2026, after several Nigerian news organisations reported the police announcement.
The incident remains under investigation, and any further determination of criminal responsibility will depend on the outcome of the legal process.
Source:
FCT Police Command statement, as reported by The PUNCH, Vanguard, other Nigerian news organisations
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