by Isi Esene

A couple in Ekiti State, Dada Ojo, and his wife, Adejoke, were on Friday arrested for allegedly dumping their new born baby in the bush.

Adejoke, 26, was said to have delivered the baby at home on Wednesday without any medical assistance because she could not afford hospital bills.

She reportedly dumped the baby in the bush around Ikere Local Government Area but the baby’s cry attracted residents of the area who sought to know who the parents are.

Ojo, a commercial driver, claimed he was not privy to his wife’s plan. He said he got home from work to discover that she had given birth and she simply told him that the baby had died when he asked.

Adejoke told the police she was driven by poverty to dump the newborn baby in the bush knowing they cannot possibly cater for the child.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Victor Babafemi, confirmed the arrest when he was contacted.

He said that the couple was arrested but added that the wife had since been released to the Welfare Department of the state Ministry of Women Affairs where she and the baby were being given treatment.

“The man is still with us but the mother and child are being taken care of by the welfare department. The authorities of Ikere Local Government Area and the ministry are involved. They will take over the welfare of the baby,” Babafemi said.