The Lagos State Police Command has disclosed that Williams Tadule, a dispatch rider that was recently manhandled in the Lekki area of Lagos for stealing a baby, did not do anything of the sort.
This is contained in a Monday statement titled, ‘Child Found With Dispatch Rider Not Stolen’ and signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adekunle Ajisebutu.
According to the police image-maker, the baby’s mother, Lovina Biturs granted Tadule permission to move around with the 10-month-old baby boy.
He explained that Biturs and Tadule were neighbours and the baby was fond of the dispatch rider.
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He added that on that fateful day, the dispatch rider wanted to pick up something in the neighbour and the baby’s uncontrollable tears disturbed the mother so much that she told Tadule to go with him in a bid to calm him down.
The statement read, “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.”