A housewife has been arrested on allegations of abandoning her newborn baby in a drainage ditch, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the welfare of the child.
Barkisu Sulaiman, a housewife from the Karaworo-Lokoja area in Kogi State, was arrested by local residents for allegedly discarding her newborn baby into a drainage ditch.
The incident took place on Tuesday, October 7, following a tip-off from a woman in Lokoja’s Kabawa area. She had a close relationship with Sulaiman and notified the authorities about the situation.
According to reports, the woman disclosed that Sulaiman had confided in her about being pregnant by one of her ailing husband’s servants living in Adankolo-Lokoja.
The friend also revealed that the supposed father of the baby had refused to take responsibility for the pregnancy and suggested Sulaiman consider termination.
When residents discovered the incident, they apprehended Sulaiman. After her arrest, she admitted to abandoning her one-day-old baby and expressed feelings of guilt for betraying her ailing husband.
Paul Igweibuke, the Commandant of Kogi State for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), confirmed Sulaiman’s arrest on Wednesday and announced that an investigation into the incident is currently underway.
The case has highlighted significant concerns regarding the challenges women encounter in tough situations and the extreme measures that can result from societal pressures.
