An elderly woman who reportedly stole her friend’s nine-month-old baby in Lagos and absconded to Anambra State where she was later apprehended by the police, has confessed following interrogation.
It was reported that the Lagos State Police Command had on Tuesday paraded the suspect who was arrested in Okija, Anambra State four days after stealing the baby in Lagos State.
Toke Fagbohun, who is said to be from Osun State, had befriended the baby’s mother, Aina Adetola, for about two weeks, before carrying out the act on Saturday, September 26.
According to news, the 56-year-old said she stole the baby in the Ajegunle area of Lagos and fled to Anambra State so that her unnamed lover could pay her bride price and marry her. She also added that she had lied to her lover in Okija, Anambra State, that the baby was the fruit of their relationship.
According to her, “My mother died when I was in primary five. My father had died a few years earlier. My parents had two of us; but a few years ago, my elder sister died during childbirth. So, I was left alone in Anambra State without any relation.
“I gave birth to a child in 2010, but he died after six months. Last year, I met a man who promised to marry me after I had had a child for him.
“We started living together in October 2014. I was pregnant, but after three months, I had a miscarriage. I was troubled, and started running after traditional doctors and hospitals, but to no avail. I decided to come to Lagos to work and find a way to get a baby.
“I came to Lagos in June 2015. So, I came to the Ajegunle area and I got a job as a fuel attendant. While I was working, I met the baby’s mother and we became friends.
“On that Saturday, I went to her shop, which was near the filling station. I said I was going to the boundary area to buy an item and I would carry her baby with me. She did not object. So, I took the baby from her, and boarded a bus to Anambra State to meet my lover. I did this so that he could pay my bride price and marry me.
“I did not tell the baby’s mother that I was taking him to Anambra. We left on Saturday and got to my place on Sunday. I had the intention to bring the baby back after my bride price had been paid. I lied to my husband that I had been pregnant before I left and gave birth to the baby while in Lagos.
“When the police came,” she continued, “My lover immediately dissociated himself from me. He had not paid the bride price before the police arrested me.”
