ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has rescued two abandoned babies in separate incidents in Kurudu and Gwagwalada, with authorities urging parents to seek lawful and humane alternatives if they cannot care for their children .
In the first incident, a day-old baby boy was rescued in the Kurudu area of Abuja after a concerned resident reported hearing cries from a nearby bush. Officers from the Kurudu Police Division responded swiftly and found the infant wrapped in a cloth. The baby was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation and care.
In a separate case, another newborn was found abandoned near a church in Gwagwalada. The baby, believed to be just a few hours old, was discovered by passersby who alerted the police. Officers from the Gwagwalada Division rescued the child and ensured medical attention was provided.
The FCT Police Command said that both babies are in stable condition and receiving medical care and proper attention. The Command has launched efforts to trace the parents or families of the children and urged anyone with useful information to contact the nearest police station.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, expressed concern over the increasing cases of child abandonment in the FCT, noting that the Command would intensify community engagement and awareness campaigns to address the root causes . The FCT Police Command reiterated its commitment to child protection and ensuring that abandoned babies are safeguarded and properly cared for .
The rescue of the two infants comes amid broader concerns about child abandonment in the FCT. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has reported an increase in cases of baby dumping and child trafficking in recent years, often driven by poverty, stigma, and lack of access to support services . The FCT Administration has also launched initiatives to provide support to vulnerable mothers and prevent child abandonment, including the establishment of child protection units and partnerships with civil society organisations .
Adeh also stressed the importance of reporting such incidents promptly to prevent harm to vulnerable infants. The Command called on residents to report any suspicious activities that could lead to child abandonment, assuring that all reports would be treated with confidentiality . The FCT Police Command said both babies would be handed over to the Department of Social Welfare for proper care and placement .
