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Around 9.00 a.m. on Sunday, attention of officers of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) was drawn by some residents and traders after young lady attempted to dump her 27-day-old baby in front of an orphanage in Magodo area of Lagos state.
According to reports, the lady who blamed the harsh economy in the country for her wicked action, was about dropping the baby along CMD Road when she was arrested and taken to the RRS office in Magodo.
“Around 9.00 a.m. on Sunday at Magodo, the attention of the RRS was drawn to a young lady who was suspected to be dumping a baby in the front of an Orphanage.
“The operatives got there and brought the situation under control,” a police source, who pleaded anonymity, told Lagos Metro.
The suspect identifed as Serah Jegede, a native of Imesi Ile in Osun State, reportedly went to the orphanage home with the intention of handing over her baby to somebody there, and however did not hand over the baby to the officials, since it was a Sunday and the senior officials of the orphanage were not around.
When questioned about her background, the lady who admitted that she could no longer take care of the baby due to her environment and lack of money said: “I came to Lagos in 2009. I lived with my mother at No.1, Ejo Street, Igando.
“It was my mother that used to pay the house rent. One day, we didn’t just see her again. She didn’t come back home.
“She didn’t leave home with anything; all her things are still there. I don’t know her whereabouts. But when the rent expired, I had no choice but to leave the house. That was over a year ago. I live inside market, just any space to sleep.”
On who was responsible for the pregnancy, Serah said: “I only know him as Sunday. I don’t know his surname. I don’t know his parents.
“I don’t know his whereabouts too. That day, I went to sell pure water. Before I came back, he had packed all his belongings and disappeared, leaving me behind. I gave birth to my baby at Ikotun market,” she said.
Serah also told the RRS operatives that the baby was yet to be christened, since she had no intention of keeping her.
At the RRS office, succour came the way of the lady and her daughter as policemen and women, led by the commander, Olatunji Disu, showered them with gifts and money as the lady and her baby were later transferred to the Isheri divisional police station.