The Delta State Police Command has arrested a nursing mother, Blessing Jonathan, for throwing her 10-month-old baby into the river.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Bright Edafe disclosed this over the weekend.
He said Jonathan took the drastic action after suffering verbal abuse from neighbours and other ladies who called her baby a bastard.
The police spokesman disclosed that Jonathan got pregnant but unfortunately could not pinpoint who she got pregnant for.
He added Jonathan eventually gave birth and took care of the child for 10 months.
According to him, constant abuse about the paternity of the child eventually got to the nursing mother, who decided to throw the child into the river to be rid of the constant shaming.
He said Jonathan and her aunt reported the baby missing at the police station three days later.
Edafe shared that the police got a hint about a baby floating inside a river and swung into action to retrieve the body.
He said when the body was retrieved, it turned out to be the so-called missing baby.
The police spokesman said that upon sighting the baby’s body, Jonathan broke down in tears and confessed to throwing her child into the river.
In a video shared by the police spokesman, Jonathan can be heard saying she took the action because she was angry with the gossip about the baby’s paternity.
“The father abandoned us and it’s only me and my people that were taking care of the baby,” she said.
She identified the baby’s father as one Mr. Ugo but said he never told her his family name nor showed members of his family while they were together.
“But I decided I would keep the baby, take care of it and give it a family name to bear, but the thing just came over me because of what people were saying.
“Delta girls always judge people. They destroy people. That’s what made me angry,” she said.
She said she felt sad about throwing her baby into the river.
“I’m missing my baby and I’m tired. It feels like I should go and wake up the baby,” Jonathan added.
Edafe said the suspect would be charged to court for murder.
