Police say baby found in dispatch box not stolen

The Lagos State Police Command has said a baby who was said to have been discovered hidden by a dispatch rider in his box was not stolen.

The video of the baby in the dispatch box went viral at the weekend, with many commenters alleging the rider was a kidnapper.

Adekunle Ajisebutu, the spokesperson for the command,gave the clarification on Monday.

Ajisebutu said that the child’s mother, Lovina Biturs, was contacted and she confirmed that the child was taken away and put on the dispatch motorbike by the rider with her consent.

“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 to go with the rider,” the statement said.

“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, according to Ajisebutu.

The police spokesperson warned citizens against taking laws into their hands.