Benue mother reunites with missing baby weeks after Enugu road crash

A Benue State trader, Mrs Catherine Ugema, has been reunited with her nine-month-old son several weeks after they became separated following a tragic road accident along the Ugwu Onyeama axis of Enugu State.

The emotional reunion took place on Tuesday, July 14, after a coordinated search involving the Enugu State Government, the Custos Care Foundation and other partner organisations.

Ugema, who hails from Taraku in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, was travelling with her son, Tomuter Ugema, to Aba, Abia State, on June 23 to sell foodstuffs when the commercial vehicle they boarded was involved in a crash.

She reportedly lost consciousness after sustaining injuries, while the confusion that followed the accident led to the disappearance of her baby.

Unaware of his mother’s whereabouts, the injured infant was rescued by a Good Samaritan and taken to the Children’s Emergency Unit of ESUT Parklane Teaching Hospital in Enugu, where doctors provided urgent medical care.

As the child’s condition required specialised treatment, the Head of the Children’s Emergency Unit, Dr Chiesonu Nzeduba, appealed for public assistance.

The appeal prompted support from the Enugu State Government and the wife of the governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, who assisted with the baby’s medical care and welfare.

Further intervention came from the Custos Care Foundation in partnership with the Peter Mbah Foundation, the Enugu State Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, the Children’s Emergency Unit of ESUT Parklane Teaching Hospital and the Enugu State Management Board for the Protection of State-Owned Social Homes (EMBOPSS).

The combined efforts ensured the child received blood transfusions, surgery and other life-saving treatments that aided his recovery.

In addition to medical care, the organisations provided baby supplies, welfare support and other relief materials throughout his rehabilitation.

After being discharged from the hospital, the child was moved to EMBOPSS, where he remained under care while authorities continued efforts to identify and locate his family.

Weeks of collaboration involving healthcare workers, social welfare officials, security agencies and government institutions eventually led to the successful tracing of the child’s mother.

The reunion ceremony was attended by the child’s uncle, Gregory Aswa, an officer of the Enugu State Driver’s Rescue Service (DRS), as well as the investigating police officer attached to the State Traffic Office at Abakpa Junction, Inspector Ugwuanyi Cecelia.

Speaking after receiving her son, an emotional Ugema thanked the Enugu State Government, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, the Good Samaritan who rescued the baby, the Custos Care Foundation, medical personnel and everyone whose efforts helped save her son’s life and made the reunion possible.