The Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police have arrested one Khadija Ali for abandoning her one-day-old baby along a bush path near Crush Rock, behind an uncompleted Red Bricks Market, Mpape area of the territory.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Josephine Adeh.
The PPRO said that the arrest by operatives of the Mpape Division followed a distress call by residents that a newborn was abandoned in the area.
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She said upon the receipt of the distress call, the neonate was promptly rescued and taken to the Mpape Primary Health Care Center, “where medical evaluation confirmed the baby is in stable condition”.
She added that the swift response of emergency personnel and concerned residents played a crucial role in ensuring the child’s survival. According to her, the infant is currently under close observation by healthcare professionals, who are providing necessary care and monitoring for any complications.
Authorities have also commenced investigations to trace the circumstances surrounding the abandonment, urging members of the public to provide useful information. She further emphasized the importance of community vigilance and timely reporting of emergencies to help save lives and support vulnerable individuals in society.
According to Josephine, during interrogation, the mother confessed to “abandoning the baby, citing her inability to care for the child following her husband’s abandonment”.
“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”, she added.
