Two held as Ondo mothers, babies die in deliveries

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two women, Elizabeth Aremu and Blessing Effiong, who allegedly posed as midwives, over the deaths of two women and their newborn babies at separate health facilities in different parts of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt this in a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, on Sunday.

According to the statement, the two incidents occurred separately at Emure-Ile in Owo Local Government Area and Akure, the state capital, within the month.

The PPRO said, “The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with separate cases of alleged maternal and infant deaths recorded under suspicious circumstances in Akure and Emure-Ile.

“In the first incident, reported on April 16, 2026, one Remilekun informed the police that her brother, Mr Bawa Lawal, had received information concerning the death of his wife, Mrs Bawa Blessing, who had gone into labour at a private residence in the Gloryland area, off Ado Road, Akure.

“The residence is reportedly owned by one Elizabeth Aremu, who allegedly presented herself as a midwife. The victim was said to have developed complications shortly after delivery and died before she could be transported to a medical facility.

“During the investigation, detectives visited the scene, where the lifeless body of a newborn infant was discovered wrapped in a sack.

The suspect was promptly arrested.

“In a separate development, on April 11, 2026, one Augustine Kufre reported that his girlfriend, Genifer Sunday, aged 20, was taken to a church in Emure-Ile due to labour pains.

“The prophetess of the church, identified as Blessing Effiong, allegedly undertook the delivery. The newborn infant reportedly died at the scene, while the mother later died on the way to the hospital following complications. The suspect in this case has also been arrested.”

Jimoh said the command had begun investigations into the two cases, while the remains of the deceased mothers and their infants had been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, and the Federal Medical Centre morgue, respectively, for preservation and autopsy.

The PPRO stated that diligent investigations were ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the tragic incidents and ensure that all persons found culpable were brought to justice.

“The command strongly advises members of the public to always seek medical care from qualified and licensed healthcare providers, particularly in critical situations such as childbirth, and to avoid unregulated facilities or individuals posing as medical practitioners,” the statement read.