Zambian police have arrested two women for conniving to steal a baby after one of them lied to her husband that she has been pregnant for six years.

The women, Bertha Kasonde, 32, and Mercy Chingambo, 35, reportedly conspired to steal the baby in order to help Bertha maintain her marriage, which was reportedly on the rocks due to her inability to conceive.

Bertha, who is married and has been trying to have a child for six years, had allegedly lied to her husband that she was pregnant.

Their target was Janet Mushota, an 18-year-old mother, who was walking on the street with her newborn baby. Bertha and Mercy allegedly accosted her, claiming to be social workers who needed to take the baby for a medical examination.

They promised to bring the baby back in a few hours. However, they did not return with the baby, and Janet became worried and reported the matter to the police.

The police launched a search and were able to track down the two women, who had taken the baby to a nearby market.