By Okechukwu Onuegbu
An unknown woman in Anambra State has abandoned her one month old baby boy to a another passenger in a commercial bus along Zik's Avenue, Amawbia.
It was learnt that the mother of the baby handed her over to a co-traveller onboard the bus at about 9am on September 6, 2022 and alighted to probably ease herself but never returned even after three hours.
Confirming the report, the Public Relations Officer, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, Mr Edwin Okadigbo, said the woman on whom the baby was abandoned to, further handed him over to an officer of the command.
"The baby is estimated to be about a month old. He was recovered by a staff of the Corps after being abandoned seemingly by its mother in a bus. The baby was handed over to a staff of the Corps on the 6th of September 2022 at about 0900hrs after the mother who she boarded same bus with alighted at a bus stop in a bid to ease herself along Ziks Avenue by Amawbia Correctional Service Awka.
"After about three hours wait and search the baby was recovered by Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Anambra State Command. The infant after necessary medical attention is currently kept at a place of safety while tracing of his unknown parents and relatives continue. A case of abandoned child has been opened and currently under investigation.
"Anyone who knows of a woman or parents who recently gave birth but is suddenly without the child, or knows relatives of the infant is urged to contact Intelligence and Investigation Department of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command on - 08068526902 or 0902 4941882 during office hours. Commandant Isidore Chukwudi Chikere, the Anambra State Commander of the corps has made a clarion call to members of the public to stop abandoning children amid the rising number of cases of abandoned babies and concealed births.