The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that a 10-month-old child found with a dispatch rider was not kidnapped.

Williams Tadule, the dispatch rider, was spotted with a little child around Sangotedo, Ajah, Lagos, on Friday. Passersby suspected he “stole” the child and raised the alarm.

Williams was then subjected to physical assaults from an angry mob. Videos of this incident have been widely circulated on social media.

The story and videos making the rounds on social media imply that Williams stole a little child. The mob also accused the dispatch rider of keeping the child in his courier box.

The dispatch rider was removed from the mob by the police. He was later questioned and an investigation was carried out.

Officers of the Lagos Police Command sought out and found Lovina Bitrus, the mother of the child. She said Williams was, in fact, her relative, and got her consent to take the child on a ride.

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She explained that her child is fond of the dispatch rider and wanted to go with him.

Contrary to the opinion of the passersby, Williams did not conceal the child in his courier box, said the police.

All this is contained in a statement released by the Lagos State Police Command on Monday and signed by CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, the Lagos police public relations officer, as follows:

CHILD FOUND WITH DISPATCH RIDER NOT STOLEN – POLICE

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 afterall 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.