The Lagos State Police Command has disclosed that a dispatch rider, identified as Williams Tadule, did not steal a child reportedly found in his courier box.
A video went viral, last Friday, in which the dispatch rider was seen being mobbed by a crowd, along Sangotedo area of Ajah, having been accused of concealing the stolen child in the courier box.
However, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, in a press release, said the child was not stolen, adding that he was not kept in the courier box, as alleged by the mob.
He said the police made the discovery following an investigation carried out on the matter on the instruction of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Abiodun Alabi.
Ajisebutu said further investigation revealed that the child was taken away by the dispatch rider, following the consent of his mother, Lovina Biturs.
“On 11 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 uncivilised action has grave consequences,” the release stated.
