A vigilante squad in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, rescued a newborn abandoned in a garbage dump in front of Mile 3 motor park.
The infant girl was rescued by vigilantes on normal patrol 3 a.m. on Friday, April 28, 2023, while still carrying her placenta and wrapped in garments.
Godstime Ihunwo, the Chief Security Officer of Nkpolu Oroworukwo village, Mile 3 Diobu under the Diobu Vigilante, verified the event to newsmen.
He stated that after learning of the finding, he contacted a human rights activist, Prince Wiro, who accompanied him to the police station to file an official report.
Ihunwo said, “I discovered a newborn baby less than six hours old at 3 a.m. this morning (Friday), while on routine patrol.” The baby was still wrapped in clothes and placenta at the time of discovery.
“I rescued the child immediately summoned a female nurse for the baby’s immediate medical attention.” The baby was determined to be a female after the nurse examined it. “I called Prince Wiro, who came to my office right away and accompanied me to Nkpolu Police Station file a formal report.”
The vigilante leader blamed the incident on the lack of street lighting in much of Port Harcourt.
“I would like to use this medium to appeal to the Rivers State Government to pressure the contractors in charge of the Ikwere Road street lights to ensure that the lights are always turned on at night,” he said.
The infant is responding to therapy, according to Mr Prince Wiro, Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign.
