Lagos rescues four children sold for N60, 000 by parents

Lagos state government, yesterday said it rescued no fewer than four children in the last one year sold by their parents and guardians for a minimum of N60, 000, to aid their financial needs.

The state government however said that 187 cases of child abuse and domestic violence were reported and treated by the state government in the year under review.

Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire  disclosed this at the 2013 ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa,Ikeja, to commemorate the sixth year anniversary of Governor BabatundeFashola’s administration.

Adefulire who also doubles as the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, said that the last one was rescued by the government six months ago, adding “the child was rescued where it was sold by her grandmother for N 300, 000.”

According to her, “the state government also rescued four children sold for a minimum of N60, 000. The last was rescued about six months ago but we have also rescued the child who was sold for about N300, 000. This child we rescued is nine months old now. Those children are in our homes and we have sent them back to school, to continue their studies.  When their parents are ready, they will come forward to reclaim their babies. I remember  that I brought this issue to the state government six months ago. The woman who bought the child travelled  to America and we had to wait for her to return and we  collected  the baby from her.

“Presently, we are investigating a  woman now who we  suspected bought all the five children in her custody”.

She assured residents of the state that  government will never relent in ensuring  that issues relating to child care wouldn’t be treated with levity. She further disclosed that the state government  has concluded plans to establish a special mother centre where young girls who were forced into pregnancy can be taken care of until they deliver their babies.

“Also  we created a mini-clinic closer to the centre because they may want to deliver their babies at the midnight.

“After  delivery, we will keep their babies for about five years. These children will be living in our motherless home. We believe that by then, they must have been able to acquire funds to cater for the children. Sometimes, this may be the only child they will be able to give birth to“,she emphasized.

She explained that this will help curb issues of sold babies that may occur in the state.

“Orelope-Adefulire warned that the state government would intensifying its enforcement of the Child Right Law and other laws related to domestic violence in the state.“She noted that the state government recently embark on investigation and it discovered that some residents of the state have become agents to child trafficking in the state.

“The deputy Governor warned that there wouldn’t be any hiding place for rapist and others violating the state laws in the state.“ON THE CHILD ABUSE AND OTHJER CASES“On the breakdown, she said “Giving a breakdown of the statistics, Orelope-Adefulire said “53 cases of child trafficking/labour, sexual abuse; 43, Child Custody, 33; child neglect 13, sale baby 2, physical abuse 37 and teenage pregnancy 1.