Uncertainty is growing over the case of a five-month-old baby boy allegedly stolen at Asafo Market in Kumasi, Ghana. The baby was reportedly stolen from the Cape Coast Bus Terminal section of the Asafo Market, specifically an area known as Opera Site, in the early hours of Sunday, September 20, 2026. The traumatised parents, Freda Owusu and her husband, Emmanuel Acheampong, immediately lodged a formal complaint at the Asokwa Police Station on the day of the incident, prompting the police to launch a manhunt.
Two days after the incident, the case took a dramatic turn. The family received a tip-off around 4:00 p.m. on Monday, September 21, that police at Ejisu had arrested a woman travelling with a baby. According to the information received, the woman had boarded a VIP bus heading towards Accra, but her interaction with the infant aroused the suspicion of other passengers. Upon reaching Ejisu, the passengers reportedly lodged a complaint at the Ejisu Divisional Police Command, leading to her arrest.
Relatives of the missing child went to the Ejisu police station, where officers on duty reportedly confirmed that a woman with an infant in her custody had been arrested on suspicion of child stealing but had subsequently been released. The police released the woman after a man appeared at the station claiming to be her husband and insisting that the baby belonged to them. The family was told by the police to return home and report back on Tuesday, September 22, as efforts were being made to re-arrest the suspect.
The Ejisu Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Samuel Kofi Gamson, confirmed the arrest and subsequent release of the woman. He clarified that the suspect was arrested on Sunday and was granted bail in line with police procedures. During that time, no official baby theft case had been filed by anyone. Chief Supt Gamson assured that efforts were underway to locate and bring in the woman, the baby and the man who allegedly presented himself as her husband to secure her bail for further investigations.
Chief Supt Gamson stated that the suspect, the baby, and the man are currently in Accra, and he has sent his officers to bring them in for further investigations. An identification parade is planned to determine whether the child in the woman’s custody is indeed the missing child. The parade is crucial in verifying the identity of the baby and confirming whether the suspect is the one who stole the child from Asafo Market.
The family is seeking answers and is anxious to be reunited with their missing child. Mr Osei Kuffour, an uncle of the missing child, expressed frustration and disappointment with the developments in the case, stating that the family was not adequately informed about the suspect's arrest and release. The family is now waiting for the police to bring in the suspect and the baby for further investigations.
The police are working to resolve the case, and Chief Supt Gamson expects the suspect, the baby, and the man to arrive by 11 a.m. the following day for further investigations. The identification parade will be a crucial step in determining the truth behind the alleged baby theft and bringing the perpetrator to justice.
Key points
- The prime suspect in the alleged baby theft was granted police enquiry bail, sparking concerns among the family.
- The police are working to locate and bring in the suspect, the baby, and the man who allegedly presented himself as her husband to secure her bail.
- An identification parade is planned to verify the identity of the baby and confirm whether the suspect is the one who stole the child from Asafo Market.
