Lagos State Police Command says the dispatch rider, Williams Tadule, who was found in the Sangotedo area of Lekki with a 10-month-old child in his courier box did not steal the child.
A video had gone viral on March 11 where a mob attacked a dispatch rider, accusing him of abducting a child. The dispatch rider was rescued by the chairman of Sunview Estate, Sangotedo.
Although the incident was not reported at any police station, Lagos police spokesman Adekunle Ajisebutu said the commissioner of police, Abiodun Alabi, directed that the incident should be investigated.
On Monday, Ajisebutu said that when the mother of the child Lovina Biturs was contacted, she confirmed that Mr Tadule did not steal her child.
“The child was actually taken away and put on the dispatch motorbike by the rider with the consent of his mother. She said that her baby is fond of the rider who is a relative and a neighbour,” the statement said.
“The baby was crying uncontrollably when Tadule 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.”
Ajisebutu said the commissioner of police warned members of the public against any form of jungle justice as such uncivilised action has grave consequences.
