Police probe baby theft at Manyara health centre

BABATI: MANYARA Regional Police are continuing with investigations into the disappearance of a oneday-old baby girl from Dareda Kati Health Centre in Babati District, Manyara Region, as efforts intensify to identify those responsible.

The incident, which allegedly occurred at around 9pm on August 8, this year, has caused alarm among residents of Dareda Kati Village in Ayagalaya Ward after individuals posing as nurses reportedly took the baby, claiming they were going to vaccinate her, but never returned.

The delay in returning the baby raised concerns for the child’s biological mother, Rahma Mpinga (19), who later began following up on the matter without success.

Speaking to journalists recently, Manyara Regional Police Commander, Ahmed Makarani, confirmed the incident, saying police are conducting thorough investigations to identify and apprehend those involved.

ALSO READ: Foundation sets aside 650m/- for Monduli health centre

Earlier, the Babati District Defence and Security Committee, led by Acting Babati District Commissioner, Remidius Mwema, visited the health centre to assess the circumstances surrounding the incident and issued government directives. Rahma appealed to the government to help trace those responsible so that her baby can be found.

She said the suspects introduced themselves as nurses and claimed they wanted to vaccinate newborn babies. “They asked about the baby’s sex and about other children born that day before taking my baby and disappearing to an unknown destination,” said Rahma.

Rahma’s family said the suspects allegedly arrived in a Noah vehicle before fleeing with the baby, describing the incident as deeply distressing and appealing to the government and security organs to help locate the child. Babati District Medical Officer, Madama Hosea, confirmed the incident, noting that it was the first of its kind at the facility. He said the suspects were allegedly a man and a woman.

He added that the incident was immediately reported to police and clarified that the health centre does not offer vaccination services at night, indicating that the individuals were not staff at the facility.

Dareda Kati Village Chairperson, Barnabas Qrasani, said local authorities are continuing to cooperate with police in following up on the incident.