Police arrest mother over killing of newborn in Abuja

Police in the Federal Capital Territory have arrested a 27-year-old woman, Precious Yohanna, over the alleged killing of her newborn baby in the Jabi area of Abuja.

The arrest followed the discovery of the lifeless body of a male infant in a bush near Jabi on October 4, the FCT Police Command said on Wednesday.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said police received a distress call about an abandoned baby at about 10:30 p.m. and immediately mobilised to the scene.

She said the infant had deep wounds on his throat and abdomen and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

Following the discovery, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, ordered a manhunt for the person responsible.

Adeh said community members assisted the police in tracing and arresting Yohanna, a native of Riyam in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, who resides in the Daki-Biu/Jabi area.

According to the police, investigation revealed that Yohanna gave birth to the baby in her room at about 4 p.m. on October 3 and allegedly used a razor blade to inflict the fatal injuries.

“Police said the suspect admitted that she carried out the act out of hatred for the baby’s father,” Adeh said.

The command condemned the incident as a “grave and unacceptable violation of the sanctity of human life” and commended residents who assisted in the arrest.

Yohanna remains in police custody and will be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations, the command said.

The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities or incidents to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.