What kind of mother would allow her infant to be placed inside a courier box and driven round town on a motorcycle? Such mother should be interrogated and made to prove that she is the biological mother of the baby.
The Lagos State police command should do more than believing what the ‘mother’ of the child found in the dispatch box last weekend has said.
Recall that the video of a Lagos dispatch rider carrying a baby in a box mounted on a motorcycle went viral on Saturday, March 11, 2022.
It was reported that the rider was caught earlier that day with a baby in his courier box in the Sangotedo area of the state.
In the video, the infant was removed from the box while an enraged crowd was seen assaulting the dispatch rider.
The police on Monday said in a statement entitled ‘Child found with dispatch rider not stolen’ the 10-month-old baby found with the dispatch rider whose name was given as Williams Tadule was couriered with the consent of the mother, Ms Lovina Biturs.
Police spokesman, Mr. Adekunle Ajisebutu said in a statement on Monday that both the child’s mother and Tadule were neighbours adding that the baby was fond of Tadule.
He said Tadule wanted to go pick up something in the neighbourhood and the baby’s uncontrollably cries would not let his mother be.
“The 10-month-old baby is fond of the rider who is a relative, a neighbour and was crying uncontrollably when he (rider) wanted to go pick up something in the neighbourhood. To pacify the baby, his mother allowed him go with the rider,” said Ajisebutu.
The statement reads: “On 11th March, 2022, a video of a dispatch rider accused of concealing a suspected stolen child in a courier box went viral on the social media, causing apprehension.
“Although the incident was not reported at any police station, however, the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, fdc, mnim, psc, directed that the incident should be investigated immediately.
“In compliance with the directive, investigation was initiated which led to the discovery of the scene. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the child was not stolen after all and that he was not kept in the courier box as alleged by the mob.
“The child’s mother, Lovina Biturs, was contacted. It was then revealed that the child was actually taken away and put on the dispatch motorbike by the rider with the consent of his mother.
“According to the mother, the 10-month-old baby is fond of the rider who is a relative, a neighbour and was crying uncontrollably when he (rider) wanted to go pick up something in the neighbourhood. To pacify the baby, his mother allowed him go with the rider.
“Passersby who saw the child with the rider along Sangotedo area, Ajah on the said day, became suspicious and concluded that the child might have been stolen, raised the alarm which attracted a mob. The mob subsequently pounced on the rider, beating him without finding out the truth.
“The dispatch rider later identified as Williams Tadule, was said to have been rescued by the chairman of the Sunview Estate, Sangotedo.
“The commissioner of police therefore warns members of the public against any form of jungle justice as such uncivilized action has grave consequences.”
