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FCT Police Arrest Woman Who Abandoned Her Day-Old Baby In Mpape
Khadija confessed to abandoning the child, citing her inability to provide care after being deserted by her husband.
Abuja, Nigeria– Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested a woman, identified as Khadija Ali, for abandoning her day-old baby along a bush path near Crush Rock, behind the uncompleted Red Bricks Market in Mpape.
Khadija confessed to abandoning the child, citing her inability to provide care after being deserted by her husband.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the arrest and announced that the rescued baby has been handed over to the Department of Social Welfare for proper care.
“The mother will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” SP Adeh stated, reiterating the commitment of the command to protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring justice is served.
The statement read, “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.
Adeh explained that 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.
She said that 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 Commands emergency lines: 08061581938, 08032003913, 08028940883, CRU: 08107314192, PCB: 09022222352,” Adeh added.
