A woman has been arrested for abandoning her one-day-old baby in a bush near Crush Rock, behind the uncompleted Red Bricks Market in Mpape, Abuja. She confessed that she left the baby because she could not care for the child after her husband deserted her.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that officers from the Mpape Division’s Juvenile and Women Care Section (JWC) rescued the baby on January 3. Police Public Relations Officer SP Josephine Adeh explained, “We received a distress call reporting an abandoned infant wrapped in cloth along a bush path. Our operatives quickly responded and rescued the baby.”
The baby was taken to Mpape Primary Health Care Center for a medical evaluation and was found to be in stable condition. The mother was later arrested after a tip-off from members of the community.
Why the Mother Abandoned the Baby
During police interrogation, the mother admitted to abandoning the baby, citing financial difficulties and emotional distress after being abandoned by her husband. “I had no means to care for the baby,” she reportedly confessed.
SP Adeh condemned the act, calling it a violation of the Child Rights Act (CRA), 2003. She stated, “The mother will face prosecution under Sections 14 and 16 of the CRA after investigations are concluded. Child abandonment is unacceptable, and we remain committed to protecting society’s most vulnerable members.”
The baby will be handed over to the Department of Social Welfare for proper care, ensuring its safety and well-being.
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Police Commend Public Cooperation
The police commended the community for their swift action and cooperation in rescuing the baby. “We urge residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities or emergencies to the command,” SP Adeh said.
Residents can contact the FCT Police Command through its emergency lines:
– 08061581938
– 08032003913
– 08028940883
– CRU: 08107314192
The FCT Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of children and other vulnerable members of society. “We will continue to prioritize the safety of all residents,” SP Adeh assured.