40-Year-Old Woman Arrested for Kidnapping 11-Month-Old Baby at Ajumako Market
A 40-year-old woman, identified as Rebecca Ofori, has been arrested for abducting an 11-month-old baby girl at the Ajumako Market Centre in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam District of the Central Region.
According to information gathered by Yaw Boagyan of GHOne News, the suspect, a native of Enyan Abaasa, currently resides with her husband at Tarkwa Banso in the Western Region. Reports indicate that Rebecca, who has no children with her husband, deceived him by claiming she was pregnant and traveling to her hometown to give birth.
On Monday, July 14, 2025—coinciding with a market day at Ajumako—the suspect visited the market and targeted the baby girl. Pretending to assist the baby’s mother, who was selling cassava, she waited for an opportunity when the mother was distracted and fled with the child.
A CCTV camera at the market captured the suspect fleeing with the baby. Despite efforts by the mother and other market women to locate her, their search proved futile. The incident was promptly reported to the Ajumako District Police Command.
Further investigations revealed that after abducting the child, Rebecca initially hid in her hometown, Enyan Abaasa, before traveling at dawn to Tarkwa Banso. Upon arrival, she falsely claimed to her husband and neighbors that she had returned after giving birth to a healthy baby girl.
However, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the baby reportedly cried uncontrollably, raising suspicion among neighbors. They had seen reports circulating on social media about a woman being hunted by police for allegedly kidnapping a baby in the Central Region. The neighbors alerted the Tarkwa Banso Police, leading to the suspect’s arrest.
The Ajumako police, accompanied by the baby’s mother, traveled to Tarkwa Banso to take custody of the suspect and bring her back to the Central Region for further investigation.
During interrogation, Rebecca admitted to stealing the child, citing her desperation to give her husband a child. She also disclosed that she already had five children from a previous relationship.
The suspect is currently in police custody at the Ajumako District Police Command and is expected to be arraigned before court soon.
The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ajumako District Police Command has been widely praised for their swift and effective action in resolving the case.
Credit: Yaw Boagyan
