The Ogun State Government on Thursday faulted claims circulating on social media that a two-day-old rescued baby allegedly went missing after being handed over to government officials.Addressing journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, said the two-day-old baby was legally taken into protective custody by the ministry after due documentation by the police, contrary to the allegations in the viral video.
She said, “There’s a clear process for handling abandoned children.
“Once a child is found, the child must be taken to the police who will issue an extract and then transfer the child to our ministry. That process was fully followed.”
The controversy began after a viral video surfaced, showing a woman who claimed to have found the baby in Sayedero Market in the Yewa South area of the state.
The woman later alleged that she was unaware of the baby’s whereabouts, despite following the vehicle that took the child away.
Adeleye explained that after the woman voluntarily handed over the two-day-old male baby to the authorities, she began making new demands and sought financial assistance from politicians such as Sunday Ibadan, Senator Solomon Olamilekan (Yayi), and Ibrahim Dende.
“The woman later returned, claiming she had spent over ₦120,000 on the baby and deserved compensation.
“She even named the child, gave him a haircut, and took him for vaccination before handing him over,” Adeleye said.
She described the woman’s action as an attempt to emotionally blackmail the government and mislead the public.
“The ministry is fully funded by Governor Dapo Abiodun and does not use children to solicit funds,” she stated.
Adeleye emphasised 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 that the baby is now the responsibility of the Ogun State Government; specifically, Governor Dapo Abiodun’s child until the biological parents are found.”
On adoption procedures, she warned the public against bypassing the law, stating that only the ministry, through its Department of Social Welfare, is authorised to process and approve adoptions.
“No orphanage or individual has the right to put a child up for adoption. Anyone found doing so will be charged with abduction,” she said.
While responding to questions on sealed orphanage homes, Adeleye revealed that the licences of all such homes were earlier revoked due to irregularities, but over 30 of them have reapplied after fulfilling the requirements.
She also confirmed that four children have been legally adopted since she assumed office, adding that over 100 adoption applications are currently being processed.
“Even as a Commissioner, I cannot adopt a child since I already have two daughters. Priority is given to childless homes,” she said.
She assured the public that the baby is safe and being cared for, stressing that the government is ready to refund the woman’s expenses upon verification, while continuing efforts to trace the child’s biological parents.
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