FIDA Rescues Infant Abandoned In Rivers Community Shrine

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Rivers State Branch, has rescued an infant who was abandoned at a shrine in Abua community in Abua/Odual local government area of Rivers State.

FIDA chairperson in the state, Tamunoibuemi Life-George, disclosed this in Port Harcourt while giving details of the rescue operation.

Life-George said the organization received credible information on Sunday, June 14, 2026, that a two-week-old male infant had been abandoned in front of a local shrine in Abua central.

She stated that the matter was immediately escalated and the child was rescued with the support of the operatives of the Nigeria Police.

“We immediately escalated the incident and got the child rescued through the support of the police,” Life-George said.

The FIDA chairperson explained that preliminary findings and interviews with the mother revealed that the young woman had initially left the baby in the custody of the child’s father due to a lack of provision of basic necessities.

“Later, the grandfather, who is the father of the infant’s father, allegedly took the baby and dumped him in front of a shrine in the middle of the night,” she stated.

Life-George said that upon receiving the report and ensuring the arrival of the child, the mother, and the good Samaritans at the FIDA Legal Centre, the organization immediately intervened to ensure the safety and survival of the infant.

She disclosed that the following emergency interventions had been provided, including securing the immediate safety of the infant and facilitating initial medical assessments at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).

The FIDA chairperson stated that emergency living support for the young mother to enable her to continue breastfeeding the baby was also provided.

Life-George stated that although the baby is currently stable, comprehensive medical evaluations are still required to guarantee his long-term health.

She said the case is presently being handled at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).