OGUN GOVT DEBUNKS BABY MISSING CLAIM, SAYS CHILD IN PROTECTIVE CUSTODY
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Ogun State Government has dismissed viral claims suggesting that a rescued two-day-old baby went missing after being handed over to officials, stating categorically that the child is safe and currently in protective custody.
Addressing the media in Abeokuta on Thursday, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, described the online reports as false and misleading, clarifying that the baby was formally handed over to the Ministry through due legal process involving the police.
“There’s a clear process for handling abandoned children. Once a child is found, they must be taken to the police who issue an extract and then transfer the child to our Ministry. That process was fully followed in this case,” Adeleye said.
The controversy began after a viral video showed a woman claiming to have found the baby at Sayedero Market in Yewa South Local Government Area, alleging later that she was unaware of the baby’s whereabouts despite following the vehicle in which the child was taken.
However, Adeleye said the woman voluntarily handed over the baby and later began making unwarranted demands, including seeking financial assistance from public figures such as Sunday Ibadan, Senator Solomon Olamilekan (Yayi), and Ibrahim Dende.
“The woman claimed she had spent over ₦120,000 on the baby, gave him a name, haircut, and even took him for vaccination. Her actions seem intended to emotionally blackmail the government and mislead the public,” the Commissioner noted.
Adeleye emphasized that once a child is handed over to the government, the rescuer has no legal claim or say in the child’s welfare.
“Let it be clear: the baby is now the responsibility of the Ogun State Government specifically, Governor Dapo Abiodun’s child until the biological parents are found,” she added.
She also warned against illegal adoption processes, stating that only the Ministry’s Department of Social Welfare is authorized to process adoptions.
“No orphanage or individual has the right to place a child for adoption. Anyone caught doing so will be charged with abduction,” Adeleye warned.
On sealed orphanage homes, she said licenses were earlier revoked due to operational irregularities, but over 30 homes have reapplied and are under review.
She also revealed that four children have been legally adopted since she took office, with over 100 applications currently being processed.
“Even as Commissioner, I cannot adopt a child since I already have two daughters. Priority is always given to childless homes,” she said.
Adeleye assured the public that the rescued baby is safe and receiving care, adding that the woman’s expenses will be reimbursed upon verification, while efforts continue to locate the baby’s biological parents.
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