Community Comes Together to Save Abandoned Newborn in Plateau State

Residents rescued a baby boy who was left alone in an unfinished building at a mining site in Naraguta community, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The baby, with his umbilical cord still attached, was found on Sunday at the site along Ardo Lane.

Sources who spoke to PUNCH Metro in Jos on Monday said the baby was discovered after some children playing near the uncompleted building heard his cries. They quickly informed the family of Lukman Yusuf Wayas, who called security officers for help.

The security team took the baby to a hospital for medical care.

Wayas explained that he heard a baby crying around 11pm on Saturday but thought it was a newborn from a nearby house.

He said, "When the children heard the cry again this morning, they alerted us, and we immediately informed security operatives, who took the baby to the hospital for medical attention.

“We later returned to the scene with a health worker and discovered remains of the placenta, which suggested that the baby was delivered at that location.”

The Chairman of the Elders’ Association for Angwan Rogo, Rimi, Zinaria and Sabon Layi, Alhaji Yusuf Wayas, reacted to the incident. He urged parents to pay more attention to their children and protect vulnerable people in their communities.

“This is a serious matter. Parents need to pay closer attention to what is happening within their families and communities,” he said.

The Ardo of Yanjin, Aliko Sa’adu, also spoke about the situation. He noted that similar cases had happened in the community before and called for a thorough investigation into this recent event.

“We have reported the matter to the relevant authorities to investigate and identify the mother of the child. We want them to establish what happened and reunite the baby with the mother where possible,” he said.

Sa’adu emphasized that the safety and welfare of the newborn should be a top priority while investigations are ongoing.

Attempts to reach the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful. His phone was switched off when contacted for comments on Monday.