The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a woman for allegedly abandoning her newborn in a bush at Akwanga Local Government Area.
The baby, wrapped in a cloth, was found alive near a primary school on AA Koto Street, Akwanga, on Wednesday. Shocked residents quickly alerted the police.
Police Confirm Arrest
Police PRO, SP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the arrest in Lafia on Thursday. He said the Commissioner of Police ordered the case moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for investigation and prosecution.
“The mother of the baby has been identified and arrested. The Commissioner of Police has ordered the transfer of the case to the SCID, Lafia, for thorough investigation and prosecution,” Nansel said.
The suspect is a final-year NCE student at the College of Education, Akwanga.
Public Outrage Over Child Abandonment
The incident sparked outrage among residents, many of whom expressed anger over the rising cases of child neglect in Nigeria.
In July, a farmer in Kamba town, Kebbi State, rescued a newborn buried alive on his farm.
- The farmer, Kabiru Kamba, noticed a strange ridge and invited locals to help dig.
- They found the baby crying and still alive, wrapped in a cloth.
- Authorities later placed her in his custody.
- Out of compassion, he and his wife decided to care for the child and planned a naming ceremony.
Growing Concern in Nigeria
Cases like these highlight the growing problem of child abandonment in Nigeria.
Advocates have urged the government and civil groups to strengthen child protection systems and promote responsible parenting and reproductive health education.
