Shock in Rivers as Newborn Abandoned at Shrine

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Rivers State Branch, has rescued a two-week-old baby boy who was allegedly abandoned at a shrine in Abua, Abua/Odual Local Government Area of the state.

The Chairperson of FIDA Rivers State, Mrs. Tamunoibuemi Life-George, disclosed the development on Tuesday, describing the incident as both heartbreaking and disturbing.

According to her, the organisation received credible information on Sunday, June 14, 2026, that a newborn baby had been abandoned in front of a local shrine in the community.

Upon receiving the report, FIDA immediately mobilised and, with the support of the police, successfully rescued the infant.

“We immediately escalated the incident and got the child rescued through the support of the police,” Life-George said.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the organisation revealed that the child's mother had initially left the baby in the care of the infant's father due to financial hardship and the inability to provide basic necessities for the child.

However, Life-George disclosed that the baby's grandfather, who is the father of the child's father, allegedly took the infant and abandoned him at the shrine in the middle of the night.

“Later, the grandfather, who is the father of the infant’s father, allegedly took the baby and dumped him in front of a shrine in the middle of the night,” she stated.

Following the rescue, FIDA immediately provided emergency support for both the child and the young mother.

The interventions included securing the infant's safety, facilitating initial medical examinations at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), and providing emergency welfare assistance to enable the mother continue breastfeeding the child.

Life-George said the baby is currently stable but noted that comprehensive medical evaluations are still required to ensure his long-term health and well-being.

She added that the case is presently being managed at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt.

To sustain the intervention, FIDA appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, corporate organisations, and development partners to support the child's ongoing medical care and welfare needs.

According to the organisation, urgent financial assistance is needed to cover medical diagnostics, clinical evaluations, nutritional support, and other welfare requirements for both mother and child.

Life-George called on individuals and organisations to contribute towards ensuring the infant receives the care and protection he deserves.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she would obtain details from the Divisional Police Officer handling the matter and provide an update. However, no official response had been received as of the time of filing this report.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the growing cases of infant abandonment in parts of Nigeria, often linked to poverty, family instability, and inadequate social support systems.

It also highlights the critical role played by civil society organisations and community-based groups in child protection, rescue, and emergency welfare interventions.