By Kola Alhassan
The Lagos State Police Command has refuted claims that the child allegedly found in courier box of a dispatch rider was stolen.
Tension was rife in Lagos on 11th March, 2022,when a video of a dispatch rider accused of concealing a suspected stolen child in a courier box went viral on the social media.
In a statement earlier today, Police Public Relations Officer,CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu,noted that upon investigation as directed by the Commissioner of Police Abiodun Alabi, it was discovered that the child was not stolen afterall and that he was not kept in the courier box as alleged by the mob.
Ajisebutu noted that the child’s mother, identified as Lovina Biturs revealed that the child was taken away and put on the dispatch motorbike by the rider with the consent of his mother.
Ajisebutu said in the statement: “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.”
