A tragic incident occurred in the Wilayat of Ouargla, southern Algeria, on the eve of Eid al-Adha. A newborn baby was abducted from a specialized hospital for mothers and children, with suspicions falling on an unidentified woman. Residents of Ouargla, led by the child's family from the municipality of Rouissat, protested in front of the hospital, demanding accountability from the health facility’s officials.
In response, a state of emergency was declared in the province, with security services launching an extensive investigation to locate the missing infant and apprehend the perpetrator. Within hours, news spread on social media, where Algerians expressed their anger over the incident and sympathized with the family. One commenter remarked, "How can an infant be stolen so easily from within a hospital? There must be collusion on the part of the officials or staff." Another stated, "The security forces and relevant authorities must not rest until they find her."
A concerned individual questioned, "Where are the cameras that are set up in all institutions? Did no one notice the woman stealing the baby?" Their frustration was compounded by the fact that this was not the first incident of its kind. Several months ago, a baby was mistakenly given to another man while the father was awaiting the handover of his son, leading to an investigation that resulted in the detention of an obstetrician and three nurses.
