Police Charge Eight to Court Over Missing Baby in Bayelsa
The suspects were linked to the disappearance of a one-year, 10-month-old girl who went missing from a church premises in June.
The Bayelsa State Police Command has charged eight suspects to court over the disappearance of a one-year, 10-month-old girl, Amarachi Blessing Ogbonna. The child reportedly disappeared from a church premises in the state on June 21, 2026, prompting the police to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
According to the police, the Violent Crime Response Unit took over the investigation from the Ekeki Division following a directive from the Commissioner of Police. Investigators subsequently carried out what the command described as intensive investigations, which led to the identification and arrest of individuals allegedly connected with the child’s disappearance.
The eight suspects have been charged before the High Court of Bayelsa State, Yenagoa Judicial Division, and are awaiting arraignment in Charge No. BYHC/YHC/CR./81/2026. The police said some other individuals who were initially investigated were released on bail after their involvement could not be established.
The command also addressed concerns circulating on social media about an alleged lack of progress in the investigation. Police authorities explained that the delay in the suspects’ arraignment was connected to the court vacation, adding that the courts resumed proceedings during the week. The command said the case would now proceed through the appropriate legal process.
Meanwhile, the investigation into Amarachi’s disappearance remains active, with police officers continuing efforts to locate the missing child and reunite her with her family. The command said it was pursuing credible leads and taking lawful steps to establish what happened. Police also urged members of the public to avoid relying on unverified social-media claims concerning sensitive cases involving children.
