The Kwara State Government has taken custody of a newborn allegedly abandoned by her mother, said to be a student, shortly after delivery at a private hospital in the state.

The development was disclosed in a statement made available to Patriotic Insights News on Sunday by the Press Secretary of the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Iyanu Lawal.

According to the statement, the baby was delivered on Thursday at Apalara Medical Hospital and later brought to the Ministry of Women Affairs on Friday by a police officer, Inspector Medinat Garuba, alongside the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Giwa Luqman.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Opeyemi Oluwakemi, said the government had taken immediate responsibility for the welfare of the child, assuring that necessary medical care and protection would be provided.

She stressed that the state remains committed to protecting vulnerable children, noting that every child deserves care, protection and an opportunity to survive.

Oluwakemi also commended those who facilitated the safe transfer of the baby to government custody.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Luqman, explained that the mother had initially requested termination of the pregnancy, but was counselled against it and encouraged to carry the pregnancy to term.

He added that after delivery, the mother allegedly left the hospital and abandoned the newborn.

The commissioner further explained that under the Child Rights Law, abandoned babies could be legally reintegrated into society through fostering or adoption, subject to laid-down procedures and after allowing sufficient time for biological parents to reconsider their decision.

She assured that the ministry would continue to monitor the situation in line with child protection laws in the state.