A newborn baby girl has been rescued 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 left inside the carton.
The circumstances surrounding the child’s birth and the whereabouts of her mother remain unknown.
According to an eyewitness and councillor representing the area, Gabriel Mbaukaan, the baby was in critical condition when she was discovered.
Mbaukaan told journalists by telephone in Makurdi on Sunday that maggots were allegedly found crawling around the infant’s body, while a foul smell reportedly came from the carton.
Yisa reportedly raised the alarm and contacted the police outpost in the community.
Police officers subsequently arrived at the location, documented the discovery and directed that the newborn be taken to a medical facility for immediate treatment.
Mbaukaan said he personally visited the scene to assess the situation and determine the condition of the abandoned child.
He explained that the first clinic approached could not admit the baby because of the severity of her condition.
The infant was subsequently taken to Dooshima Clinic in Wuese, where she is currently receiving treatment.
Medical personnel are reportedly administering glucose and NAN infant formula while working to stabilise her condition.
Mbaukaan said medical tests had been conducted on the infant and that she remained under observation in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
He said the baby had been exposed to harsh conditions shortly after birth, making continued medical attention necessary.
The councillor disclosed that he had personally contributed financially towards the infant’s upkeep.
He also appealed to individuals, humanitarian organisations, community leaders and government agencies to assist with the child’s treatment and welfare.
According to him, members of the community are currently coordinating efforts to ensure the newborn receives the care she needs.
He said they had also asked officers at the local police outpost to delay transferring the matter to the divisional office in Tse-Agbaragba while community members continued following up on the case.
Mbaukaan added that he was making efforts to contact the chairman of the local government council, who had not yet been informed about the incident.
Youth leader of Wuese community, Udigi Waya, also confirmed the rescue and expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the abandonment.
Waya suggested that the newborn might have spent approximately three days in the forest before she was found.
He said the infant’s cry was the only indication that she was still alive when the carton was opened.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, said he had not received any official report concerning the incident when contacted.
The baby remains under medical observation as efforts continue within the community to support her recovery and welfare.
