Day-Old Baby Rescued From Abandoned Well; Mother Arrested

A newborn baby, abandoned only a day after birth, was discovered crying inside a well in the Jigawa State of Nigeria on Friday. The infant’s mother was later identified and arrested in connection with the case.

Locals in the village were passing by the area on their way to a farm when they heard the cries of a child coming from nearby. They followed the cries and discovered the infant inside an abandoned well. The day-old infant was rescued out of the well and found to be in good condition, according to the village head, who spoke to DAILY POST.

Spokesman of the Command ASP Lawan Shiisu Adam confirmed the discovery of the baby that was abandoned in the well. Adam said in a statement to DAILY POST that the baby was found at around 3 p.m. Friday.

The child was taken to the Babura General Hospital and received medical attention after being rescued in unfavorable circumstances. The baby was later discharged and placed under the care of the Social Welfare Department Babura LGA.

Adam also said the investigation led to the arrest of 35-year-old Ni’ima Yakubu, the divorced mother of the abandoned child. Investigation into the case is still underway.

A similar incident took place in Nigeria in the month of August after a baby was abandoned at a dumpsite in Bayelsa. The baby was found after residents in the area went early in the morning to throw away some trash. They heard the incessant cries of the little one coming from the dumpsite, located in front of a primary school, according to P.M.News.

Residents believe the mother of the baby abandoned the child the night before the newborn was found. An unidentified resident said the newborn baby eventually passed away after suffering an entire night of cold and rain before finally being spotted in the morning. The resident also said the child was eventually confirmed dead after the cries stopped.

“It’s unfortunate that innocent children are being wasted in Bayelsa because most of the parents of these unfortunate children are not ready for childbearing but go into relationships to get immediate material needs,” said one resident, Ebimoere Matthew. “...Children are blessings to every family, they should not be killed because of poverty mentality. Government should take action to forestall future occurrence.”