A tragic discovery rocked the Abia State capital on Thursday morning, as a lifeless newborn was found abandoned in a deep gutter along Umuwaya Road, opposite Abam Street. The sight of the baby’s small body in the gutter drew an emotional crowd of locals, who expressed anger and sorrow at the heart-wrenching scene, condemning the unknown person responsible for the act.
Eyewitness Egwu Ifeanyi Anya, who shared images from the scene, recounted his shock upon encountering the tragic sight. “I was in Abia State this morning for a crucial engagement. I drove past this spot multiple times, noticing the crowd each time, but only stopped out of curiosity on my fourth pass. Seeing this broke me,” Anya wrote, adding, “To whoever did this, life will fix your appointment with God so you can explain.”
Other witnesses echoed Anya’s outrage, decrying the abandonment of a defenseless child and questioning why the mother hadn’t turned to social services or welfare institutions. “There are many places like the government welfare home, churches, or motherless babies’ homes where a child could have been safely taken. It’s tragic that anyone would choose this,” said a bystander.
The child’s cause of death is currently unknown, as Abia State Police Command has yet to release a statement on the matter. Attempts to contact the police for further comment have so far been unsuccessful.
Concerns Over Rising Child Abandonment in Abia State
Thursday’s tragic discovery adds to a growing list of child abandonment cases that have unsettled communities in Abia State. Local social welfare advocates say such incidents underscore the need for greater awareness around maternal and child welfare resources. Recent studies indicate that economic hardship and social stigma often push vulnerable individuals to take drastic measures, and experts are urging local authorities to step up preventive measures and support for struggling mothers.
This latest case has ignited fresh calls from residents for the Abia State government and social welfare organizations to increase public outreach, offering support to those facing crisis pregnancies and parenting challenges.
