Residents of Ogbuagu Street in Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt were left in shock and grief on Wednesday morning following the discovery of a dead premature baby in a roadside drainage.
The heartbreaking find was made by Mr. Ogechi Ehirim, a landlord in the area, while he was carrying out his usual early morning cleaning routine in front of his compound.
“I was sweeping as I normally do every morning,” Ehirim recounted. “At first, I noticed something in the gutter that looked like a child’s doll. I didn’t pay much attention because I assumed it was just a toy.”
But that assumption quickly changed when a concerned neighbor urged him to take a closer look.
“When I bent down and examined it more carefully, I realised with horror that it was a human baby lifeless and premature. I was shaken to my core.”
The incident has thrown the neighborhood into mourning, with many questioning how such a tragic act could happen unnoticed.
Adding to the emotional weight of the situation, Mr. Ehirim spoke of a series of strange, unsettling experiences he claims to have endured since purchasing the property.
“Since I bought this compound, I’ve known no peace,” he said, visibly distressed. “At night, I often hear cats crying near my window. Sometimes I step outside and see things I can’t explain. I honestly don’t know why all this is happening.”
Ehirim has since reported the incident to the Nkpolu Police Division, located near the Rivers State University roundabout, and is appealing for public assistance in identifying the person responsible for abandoning the baby.
“I did not commit any crime by buying this property. I worked hard for it I didn’t steal. I’m pleading with the police, with the public, anyone who can help please, help me find out who did this.”
As of the time of reporting, the Rivers State Police Command has not yet issued an official statement, but local authorities are expected to launch a full-scale investigation into the incident.
The disturbing discovery has reignited conversations around abandoned babies, mental health, and access to reproductive services in Nigeria, with many calling for urgent action to prevent similar tragedies.
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