A newborn baby girl has been rescued alive after she was allegedly abandoned inside a carton near Ashar Forest in Wuese community, Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State.
The infant was reportedly discovered on Saturday by a passerby, Mrs Mbakasev Yisa, who found her wrapped in clothes and placed inside the carton.
The circumstances surrounding the child’s birth and the identity of her mother remain unknown.
Councillor representing the area, Gabriel Mbaukaan, told journalists on Sunday that the baby was in critical condition when she was found.
He said the infant was reportedly covered with maggots and that a foul smell was coming from the carton.
Mbaukaan said Yisa immediately alerted the police outpost in the community, prompting officers to visit the location and document the discovery.
The police subsequently directed that the baby be taken to a medical facility for urgent treatment.
According to Mbaukaan, the first clinic approached could not admit the infant because of the severity of her condition.
The baby was eventually taken to Dooshima Clinic in Wuese, where medical personnel began efforts to stabilise her.
“She is being treated and fed with glucose and NAN infant formula as medical personnel work to stabilise her,” Mbaukaan said.
He added that medical tests had been conducted and that the infant remained under observation in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
The councillor said the child had been exposed to harsh conditions shortly after birth, prompting concerns about her survival and long-term wellbeing.
Mbaukaan said he had personally contributed financially towards the baby’s upkeep and appealed for wider assistance.
“I have made a financial donation towards the child’s upkeep and appealed to the medical personnel to ensure that the infant receives continuous and effective treatment,” he said.
He called on individuals, humanitarian organisations, community leaders and government agencies to support the newborn’s treatment.
The councillor said the community was currently managing the situation while efforts were being made to secure additional assistance.
He also disclosed that he was trying to contact the chairman of Konshisha Local Government Area to inform him about the development.
Meanwhile, youth leader of Wuese community, Udigi Waya, expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the abandonment.
Waya said the baby might have remained in the forest for about three days before she was discovered.
According to him, the infant’s cry was the only indication that she was alive when the carton was opened.
The Newborn rescued Benue incident has raised concerns among residents over the circumstances that led to the child being abandoned in the forest.
However, when contacted, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, said he had not received any official report concerning the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the abandonment remain subject to further investigation as the infant continues to receive medical attention.
