The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with separate cases of suspected maternal and infant deaths in Akure and Emure-Ile, raising fresh concerns over unsafe childbirth practices in the state.
Spokesperson of the command, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, noting that the arrests followed disturbing incidents recorded earlier in April.
In the first case, reported on April 16, a woman identified as Remilekun alerted the police after her brother, Bawa Lawal, was informed of the death of his wife, Blessing Bawa, during childbirth. The incident occurred at a private residence in the Gloryland area, off Ado Road in Akure.
The residence, said to belong to one Elizabeth Aremu, who allegedly posed as a midwife, was reportedly used for the delivery. Police said the victim developed complications shortly after giving birth and died before she could be taken to a medical facility.
Detectives who visited the scene also discovered the lifeless body of a newborn baby, leading to the immediate arrest of the suspect.
In a separate incident on April 11, Augustine Kufre reported that his 20-year-old girlfriend, Jenifer Sunday, was taken to a church in Emure-Ile after going into labour. The delivery was allegedly handled by a prophetess identified as Blessing Efiong.
According to the police, the newborn died at the scene, while the mother later died on the way to the hospital due to complications. The prophetess has also been arrested.
The police say investigations are ongoing in both cases, while the remains of the deceased mothers and their infants have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital in Akure and the Federal Medical Centre morgue for preservation and autopsy.
The Command has urged residents to seek care only from qualified and licensed healthcare providers, especially during childbirth, warning against the dangers of unregulated facilities and untrained individuals.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring justice and preventing further loss of lives linked to unsafe medical practices