By Dimeji Ajibade
Residents of Unity area of Ilorin and passers-by were yesterday, thrown into confusion following the discovery of a dead newborn in Asa river in the state capital.
The discovery of the lifeless body of the baby boy brought some of the eyewitness to tears as they wondered what may have warranted the mother to dump the newborn in the river.
The lifeless body of the baby was discovered during the evacuation of debris from the Asa river by men of the Kwara State Fire Brigade Service as part of efforts to prevent impending flood.
According to an eye witness who identified himself as Tajudeen AbdulFatah, the baby may have been thrown into the river by one of the commercial sex workers on Coca-Cola Road, Ilorin.
He said,”How can a woman carry a baby in her womb for nine months only for her to dump the baby in the river after delivery for reasons known to such heartless woman alone.
“If I am not mistaken, the unfortunate act must have been perpetrated by one of those prostitutes at Coca-Cola Road,” he stated.
Speaking with newsmen, the Director of Service, Abdulwaheed Yakub expressed his disappointment over the series of unwanted things found.
He urged residents of the state capital to desist from dumping refuse into the river.
โWe are carrying out this exercise to compliment the effort of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to avert flooding in the area.
โIt is pathetic that people dump all sorts of things inside the river to the extent of newborn baby. A baby someone has been searching for,โ Abdulwaheed lamented.
He further warned that the city will be open to distortion of movement and overflow of the river if keen attention is not taken with more heavy rain expected over the coming weeks.
This medium however learnt that the state Police Command was notified about the unfortunate development before the remains of the baby was buried.
Meanwhile, the Fire Service boss charged those residing in flood-prone areas to observe the warnings and safety tips to minimize casualties in event of future flooding.
The Director while commending the commitment of the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq over the provision of working materials however urged the governor to provide the Fire Service with flyboats and other materials that will enhance their service.
According to him, men of the fire service have been made to improvise in order to keep the city away from risk.
