A woman in Mpape, Abuja, has been arrested for abandoning her one-day-old baby in a bush near Crush Rock, behind an unfinished Red Bricks Market.
The incident, which occurred on January 3, was confirmed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
The woman, whose identity has been withheld, admitted during interrogation that she left the baby due to her inability to care for it after being deserted by her husband.
FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh in a statement on X on Sunday explained that operatives from the Mpape Division’s Juvenile and Women Care Section (JWC) acted swiftly after receiving a distress call about the abandoned infant.
The baby was found wrapped in cloth and was promptly taken to Mpape Primary Health Care Centre for medical attention, where it was confirmed to be in stable condition.
SP Adeh condemned the act, stating that child abandonment is not only a criminal offence but also a moral failing. She added that the police remain committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
She further disclosed that the baby would be transferred to the Department of Social Welfare for proper care, while the mother faces prosecution under Sections 14 and 16 of the Child Rights Act (CRA), 2003, following the conclusion of investigations.
The police praised the community for their cooperation in reporting the incident and urged residents to stay vigilant and report emergencies or suspicious activities via the command’s dedicated emergency lines.
The statement reads, “The FCT Police Command informs the public of the recovery of a day-old baby abandoned along a bush path near Crush Rock, behind an uncompleted Red Bricks Market, Mpape.
“On 03 January 2025, at about 10:00 AM, Police operatives from Mpape Division’s Juvenile and Women Care Section (JWC) responded to a distress call and found the baby wrapped in a cloth. The child was promptly rescued and taken to Mpape Primary Health Care Center, where medical evaluation confirmed the baby is in stable condition.
“Following a tip-off from the community, the baby’s mother, Khadija Ali, was arrested. During interrogation, she confessed to abandoning the baby, citing her inability to care for the child following her husband’s abandonment.
“The FCT Police Command vehemently condemns this act of child abandonment and reassures the public of its commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of society. The rescued baby will be handed over to the Department of Social Welfare for proper care, while the mother will face prosecution according to the provisions of sections 14 and 16 of the Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003 upon the conclusion of investigations.
“The Command appreciates the cooperation and support of members of the public in this matter and calls on all residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities or emergencies via the Command’s emergency lines: 08061581938, 08032003913, 08028940883, CRU: 08107314192, PCB: 09022222352.”
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