Rivers vigilante rescues newborn baby abandoned in refuse dump

A local vigilante group has rescued a newborn abandoned in a refuse dump in front of Mile 3 motor park in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. 

The baby girl, who was still carrying her placenta, wrapped with clothes and left in the cold, was rescued by the vigilante who were on routine patrol at about 3am, on Friday, April 28, 2023. 

The Chief Security Officer of Nkpolu Oroworukwo community, Mile 3 Diobu under the Diobu Vigilante, Godstime Ihunwo, confirmed the incident to newsmen

He said on the discovery, he put a call across to a human rights activist, Prince Wiro, who accompanied him to the police station to lodge a formal report.

“At 3am this morning (Friday), while on routine patrol, I discovered a newborn baby who is less than six hours old. At the point of discovery, the baby was still wrapped in clothes and placenta,” Ihunwo said. 

“I rescued the child and immediately called a female nurse for urgent medical attention to be given to the baby. Upon inspection by the nurse, the baby was discovered to be a female. I called Prince Wiro, who immediately came to my office and accompanied me to Nkpolu Police station to make a formal report,” 

The vigilante leader blamed the development on the absence of street lights in most parts of Port Harcourt.

“I want to use this medium to appeal to the Rivers State Government to prevail on the contractors in charge of Ikwerre Road street lights to ensure the lights are always on at night.” he added. 

Mr Prince Wiro, who is the Coordinator of Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, said the baby is responding to treatment.