Residents of Gboko in Benue State were thrown into shock on Friday after a lifeless newborn baby was discovered dumped along Rice Mill Road.
Eyewitnesses said the infant was seen early in the morning by people passing through the area, causing confusion, sadness, and anger among residents who quickly gathered at the scene.
Many locals described the incident as painful and disturbing, expressing disappointment over what they called a cruel and unacceptable act. Some residents questioned how a newborn child could be abandoned in such a manner and urged authorities to take immediate action.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the rising cases of abandoned babies in different parts of the country. Many observers link such cases to economic difficulties, social stigma, and lack of adequate support systems for vulnerable mothers.
Residents of the area are calling for a full investigation to identify those responsible and prevent similar incidents in the future.
As of the time of this report, the police and other relevant agencies had not released an official statement on the matter. Attempts to reach the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful.