The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, (WARDC) has issued the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, a 14-day...
The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, (WARDC) has issued the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, a 14-day ultimatum to find and produce one Baby Joseph who it claimed is in possession of a Police officer, Samuel Ukpabio.
The ultimatum is with effect from Wednesday 8th March, and expected to last till March 22, 2023, following which the women will March on the street of Lagos to attract national and international attention to drive home their grievance.
Inspector Ukpabio is attached to the the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, Lagos.
The group alleged that Insp. Ukpabio took the child away from his mother, Fortunate Obafuoso, while claiming to be acting for a government ministry.
WARDC, Founding Director, Dr. Abiola Akinyode-Afolabi gave the ultimatum while addressing a press conference, at its commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day, with the theme: DigitALL: Innovation & Technology for Gender Equalit
Over 140 women groups, market and civil right organisations gathered in Lagos to discuss the issues affecting women and how to mitigate their problem.
The women wants the government to address the issue of sexual and gender-based violence among other challenge
Speaking further, Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi, said, “Today is International Women’s Day and we are looking at how digitalisation can be use to promote gender equality.
Dr. Akinyode-Afolabi who advocated on behalf of the mother of the ‘missing’ baby, alleged a policeman’s involvement in abduction of the victim's baby, which she claimed she gave to the police officer under duress.
She accused the Police officer, Samuel Ukpabio, at the State Criminal Investigation Department, of seizing her six-hour old baby from his mother, Fortune on the same day the baby was born, on the premise that she was arrested over human trafficking violation.
According to her, “We cannot celebrate International Women’s Day when a woman has experienced such a grievous violation without forthcoming justice
She stated that the women group are displeased at the silence on transfer of the case against Mr. Samuel Ukpabio for unlawful abduction and human trafficking of a-day old baby of Mrs. Fortunate Obhafuoso to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP.
She informed the media, that a petition has been sent to the Police to produce the baby.
WARDC said a petition addressed to the Police is yet to be responded to
She said” On 6th February 2023, a petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police to transfer the case against Mr. Samuel Ukpabio; a Police officer at the Child Trafficking Department, Panti C.I.D of the Nigeria Police Force, Yaba Lagos, for Abduction and Human Trafficking of a day-old baby of Mrs Fortunate Obhafuoso to an unknown person and destinatio
Concerned about this circumstances, 141 human and women’s rights organisations led by WARDC petitioned the Inspector General of Police to transfer the case to National Agency For The Prohibition of Trafficking In Person, NAPTIP, for prompt prosecution and rescue of the baby.
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