By Festus Ahon
UGHELLI—A 30 year old woman narrowly escaped being lynched yesterday in Afiesere, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, for allegedly stealing a two-month-old baby. 

As at press time,  the woman, who was rescued by the police from the hands of angry mob was being detained at the ‘A’ Police Division in Ughelli.

The woman was apprehended eight days after a two-week-old baby was allegedly stolen by a strange woman in Eruemukowhoarien community in the council.

Vanguard learnt that the two months old baby was stolen from its mother, Mrs. Beatrice Festus at Ekiugbo- Iyede, Isoko North Local Government Area.

It was futher gathered that the woman was caught in Afiesere while trying to escape with the child. Residents of the community had alerted the police after apprehending the woman.

Effort made to reach the Divisional Police Officer on the incident proved abortive.  However, a senior police officer in the Division confirmed the incident and said the woman admitted to stealing the child during an oral interview.

The police officer, who pleaded anonymity, said the suspect confessed to the police that she stole the child to replace one of her child that died.

Adding that the woman disclosed that she deposited the copse of her deceased child in a bush close to Mariere Memorial Central Hospital Ughelli.