In what will come across as a really startling development, the many residents of Adaka community, a suburb of Makurdi, Benue State, were in shock when they woke up to the sight of an abandoned baby girl in the area.

The baby was said to have been bitten by soldier ants before she was found and taken to a health centre at Kwararafa in Makurdi.

A farmer, Joy Kwatse, said she went to her farm on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, when she found the child.

She said, “I had gone to check my farm and saw something tied in a black linen bag on a path to the farm. I did not know what it was, but the sight of it from afar instantly gripped me with fear.

“I thought it was a snake because it moved. Being afraid, I did not go close but decided to go to the roadside and beckon on passersby. I called an Okada man, but he was too afraid to go close and quickly fled.

“I summoned courage, clutched a scapula and dragged it. Then, I noticed that it was a child struggling for survival. She had mud all over her body, even as soldier ants had eaten parts of her head, face and buttocks.”

Kwatse said she wrapped the child and took her to the D Division Police Station from where the matter was referred to the command headquarters.

As of the time of filing this report, the baby had been admitted to the Olive Vine Children Health Centre, Makurdi.

The Medical Director of the centre, Julie Okoko, who confirmed the development, declined further comment, saying she was busy.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said she was not aware of the incident.

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