Ndola Woman Arrested For Abducting A Baby

By Comfort Nthala

Police in Ndola District on the Copperbelt Province, have arrested a woman suspected of abducting a one-year-four-months-old child in Twapia.

Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Peacewell Mweemba confirmed the arrest to Mafken News, identifying the suspect as Rebecca Nayame.

According to Mr. Mweemba, the suspect allegedly took the child, identified as Jacqueline Besa, from her mother, Iness Musonda, on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at around 18:00 hours. 

Earlier that day, Nayame had visited Musonda’s home and expressed a desire to take the baby with her, but Musonda’s mother refused, feeling the child was too young.

Mr. Mweemba explained that Nayame returned in the evening and, when Musonda briefly left the child unattended to, to retrieve a pair of socks, the suspect took the opportunity to leave with the child.

He further explained that upon discovering that her daughter and the suspect were gone, Musonda and her family immediately began a search, following leads to various locations, including the suspect’s residence and her grandmother’s house in Mushili.

The Commanding Officer has revealed that on November 18, 2024, as the search continued, they spotted the suspect at Mushili Market, attempting to run but was apprehended with assistance from members of the public. She then led the family to Kabushi Market, where the child was safely found at around 11:00 hours.

Mr. Mweemba noted that the suspect, who had reportedly lost a daughter and appeared to be of unsound mind, expressed in police interviews that she wanted to care for the child as her own. He added that the suspect would undergo a mental evaluation while in police custody.

The child has been taken for a medical check-up and appears to be in good condition.