Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) on Monday, faulted claim by the Lagos State Police Command that the 10-month-old baby caught in the courier box of a dispatch rider was not stolen.
Recall that the a 10-month-old baby caught with a dispatch rider, Williams Tadule, in the Sangotedo area of the state, with many believing that it’s a case of theft.
But the Lagos State Police Command in a statement on Monday, said the baby’s mother was aware that the dispatch rider was with her baby.
However, HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, alleged that the police were trying to cover up the suspected abduction of the lad to give an untrue impression that Lagos was safe.
“The Lagos State Police Command must go back to their scriptwriters because the script released justifying the dispatch rider’s custody of the baby looks like a Nollywood movie,” he said.
“The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, must answer the following questions:
“Who on earth will keep a 10-month-old baby in a courier box without access to air except for a criminal and kidnapper?
“With the delicate and the exposed manner of motorbikes, who on earth will allow a 10-month-old baby go on a bike with a neighbour just to pacify him save an accomplice?
“There is more than meets the eye in this case. The police must quit attempt at repackaging and explaining away crimes. The police must stop its attempt at image laundering to protect its failures to secure lives and property in Lagos and all over the country.
“Recall that a Bus Rapid Transit passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwole, was recently brutally murdered by her abductors who later dumped dismembered her body on the Carter Bridge by Ogogoro Community in Lagos.
“Also, masked gunmen kidnapped Air Vice Marshal Sikiru Smith (retd.), in the Ajah area of Lagos in September 2021 but later released him after ransom was paid.
“The Lagos police must realise its failures as the security situation in Lagos further worsens and rise up to launch a renewed war against the criminals rather than explaining away crimes.”