The parents of the twin infants whose lifeless bodies were found in a drainage channel along Cooperative Street, Nwokedi, Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria, have been arrested by the police.
The bodies, according to residents, were found on Sunday morning wrapped inside a box with baby clothing by some passersby, who immediately alerted personnel of the Okpoko Police Division.
A resident, simply identified as Uche, who was among those who first saw the bodies and raised the alarm, said the lifeless bodies of the infants were disposed of in a manner that made them easily visible to passersby.
She said, “This is shameful and must not be encouraged, as people now engage in such acts at will. How can someone in her right senses do this type of thing in this age, when we have many orphanages around?”
Another eyewitness said the babies might have been dropped by an irresponsible girl, lady, or woman who may not have been ready to take up the responsibility of their upbringing.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Sunday.
Ikenga disclosed that the biological parents of the infants had been traced and arrested and were currently in police custody, assisting investigators in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He added that the state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, described the discovery of the lifeless bodies of the twin infants as a “disturbing case of man’s inhumanity to man” and a gross violation of the sanctity of human life.
According to him, the CP commended police operatives for their swift response and diligent investigative efforts that led to the arrest of the parents of the deceased infants shortly after the incident was reported.
He stated, “The police operatives attached to Okpoko Divisional Police Headquarters, in the early hours of Sunday, June 21, 2026, received information about the discovery of two lifeless infant twins abandoned in a drainage channel along Cooperative Street, Nwokedi, Okpoko.
“Following the report, operatives immediately swung into action, secured the scene, gathered vital evidence, and commenced investigations.
“The preliminary investigation led to the identification and arrest of the biological parents of the infants, who are currently in police custody and assisting investigators in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, condemned the act in strong terms, noting that every child deserves protection, care, and the opportunity to live.
“He reiterated the Command’s commitment to ensuring that anyone found culpable in the incident faces the full weight of the law.
“Investigation into the matter is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated in due course.”
Source: Punch
