From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued a day-old baby abandoned along a bush path near Crush Rock, behind the uncompleted Red Bricks Market, Mpape.
Police Public Relations Officer Josephine Adeh, who made this known, said the baby, wrapped in cloth, was recovered by operatives from Mpape Division’s Juvenile and Women Care Section (JWC) following a distress call.
Adeh, in a statement, said the baby was immediately taken to Mpape Primary Health Care Centre, where a medical evaluation confirmed the baby is in stable condition.
She said that following a tip-off from members of the community, the baby’s mother, Khadija Ali, was promptly arrested.
During interrogation, Khadija reportedly confessed to abandoning the baby, citing her inability to care for the child following her husband’s abandonment.
Adeh stated, “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.