Nigerian Man And His Italian Wife Arrested For Abducting Newborn Baby After Faking Pregnancy

Moses Omogo Chidiebere, 43, of Nigeria, and his Italian wife, Rosa Vespa, 51, were detained in connection with the kidnapping of a one-day-old baby from a clinic in Cosenza, Calabria, in Southern Italy.

Following a three-hour manhunt, police captured Vespa, a Cosenza resident, and Chidiebere on Tuesday, January 22, 2025, in connection with the abduction.

On Friday, January 25, a preliminary inquiry court (GIP) in Cosenza ordered Chidiebere’s release since he was unaware of the scam, according to his counsel.

Vespa, who had reportedly pretended to be pregnant for nine months and announced on January 8 the alleged birth of a baby boy, Ansel, posed as a nurse at the clinic and took the baby from the mother’s room, claiming she needed to take her to the clinic’s paediatrician for a check-up.

Officers identified the couple based on security footage inside the clinic that captured them as they removed the infant.

When they broke into their home, they discovered the couple celebrating the baby’s birth with family.

According to investigators, the baby was dressed in blue.

Vespa reportedly told relatives that they couldn’t attend the clinic while she was giving birth, stating that her kid had to be hospitalized for longer owing to a health concern.

The abducted newborn, Sofia, was discovered to be in good health after a medical examination and brought home to her parents and six-year-old sibling on Thursday, January 24.

Gianluca Garritano, the Nigerian man’s defence counsel, stated that his client was unaware of the kidnapping and believed his wife was indeed pregnant.

Travel guide blog According to the counsel, Vespa feigned to be pregnant with her husband before to the abduction and had a “belly that made her seem pregnant”.

“My client was considered entirely reliable when he said he believed his wife was pregnant”, said Garritano.

“There are pictures portraying Moses while he kisses his wife’s belly.”

“She even showed her husband a letter of dismissal from the clinic,” he added.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli