The Ogun Command of Nigeria Police on Monday in Abeokuta said it has arrested a 30-year-old woman, Olubunmi Ajayi, for attempting to drown her five-month-old baby.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed news of the arrest in a statement.
She said a “good Samaritan”, Olusola Sonaya, had rescued the baby from River RSS in the Sagamu area of the state.
Odutola said the baby was immediately taken to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu for medical attention, where she was found to be in a stable condition.
“Sonaya, a male, averted a premeditated drowning by the mother.
“An attempted murder case had occured on Sunday at 5:30 p.m when Ajayi, a 30-year-old female, was sighted by Sonaya who saw her dropping her little child into the river.
“The person who saw her dropping the child into the river raced to the river and rescued the baby from drowning.
“The baby was rushed to OOUTH for immediate medical attention and examination, and she was reported to have survived,” she said.
The police spokesperson explained that the mother had since been apprehended and was currently under observation to ascertain her mental health.
“Efforts have been made to contact relatives or the husband to hand over the baby in the hospital, for appropriate welfare,” she said.