Lawyers save baby left at shrine in Rivers State

The International Federation of Women Lawyers, Rivers State branch, has saved a baby who was left at a shrine in Abua, located in the Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Chairperson of FIDA in Rivers State, Tamunoibuemi Life-George, shared this news during a briefing on Tuesday.

Life-George said they got credible information on Sunday, June 14, 2026, that a two-week-old boy had been abandoned in front of a local shrine.

She mentioned that the situation was quickly reported, and the child was rescued with help from the police. She said, "We immediately escalated the incident and got the child rescued through the support of the police."

Life-George explained that initial findings and interviews with the mother showed that the young woman had left the baby with the father due to not having enough resources.

“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 noted.

After the report came in and the child was brought to safety, the mother and kind-hearted people at the FIDA Legal Centre stepped in to help ensure the baby’s safety and care.

The state FIDA chairperson revealed that they provided emergency interventions. This included securing the baby’s safety, getting initial medical checks at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, and giving emergency support for the young mother to help her breastfeed the baby.

She said that while the baby is stable now, thorough medical evaluations are still needed to ensure his long-term health.

Life-George added that the case is now being handled at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt.

To keep helping, FIDA urgently needs financial help to pay for medical costs and health checks at the RSUTH, nutritional support, and welfare assistance for the young mother so she can care for her child properly.

She asked for support from caring individuals and organizations to contribute financially to cover the baby’s medical needs and provide immediate materials for both mother and child.

When we reached out, a spokesperson for the state police command, Blessing Agabe, said she would check with the divisional police officer and get back to our reporter.

But as of Wednesday afternoon, she had not responded yet. Cases of abandoned infants in Nigeria continue to cause concern, often linked to poverty, lack of support systems, and family issues.

These incidents also show the importance of community organizations and civil society groups in protecting and rescuing children in emergencies.