The Ogun State Government has dismissed claims circulating on social media that a two-day-old baby rescued and handed over to officials has gone missing.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abeokuta on Thursday, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, clarified that the infant is in the custody of the Ministry, following proper procedures and documentation.
“There’s a clear process for handling abandoned children. Once a child is found, they must be taken to the police who will issue an extract and then transfer the child to our ministry. That process was fully followed,” Adeleye stated.
The controversy began after a viral video showed a woman claiming she had found the baby at Sayedero Market in the Yewa South area. She later alleged she was unaware of the child’s whereabouts, despite following the vehicle that took the baby.
Adeleye explained that the woman voluntarily handed over the baby to the authorities, but later began making fresh demands, including financial assistance from prominent politicians like Sunday Ibadan, Senator Solomon Olamilekan (Yayi), and Ibrahim Dende.
“The woman claimed she spent over ₦120,000 on the baby and deserved compensation,” Adeleye said. “She even named the child, gave him a haircut, and took him for vaccination before handing him over.”
She condemned the woman’s actions as an attempt to emotionally manipulate the public and mislead the media, stressing that the government does not use children to solicit funds.
“The Ministry is fully funded by Governor Dapo Abiodun and does not engage in such practices,” she added. “Once a child is handed over to us, the rescuer has no legal claim. That child becomes the responsibility of the state — essentially, Governor Abiodun’s child — until the biological parents are located.”
Addressing adoption processes, Adeleye emphasized that only the Ministry’s Department of Social Welfare is authorized to process adoptions, warning that any orphanage or individual attempting to put a child up for adoption outside this framework would be prosecuted for abduction.
She also noted that while the licenses of all orphanage homes were previously revoked over irregularities, more than 30 have since reapplied and are under review.
Since assuming office, Adeleye confirmed that four children have been legally adopted, with over 100 adoption applications currently being processed.
“Even as a Commissioner, I cannot adopt a child because I already have two daughters. Priority is given to childless couples,” she explained.
Adeleye concluded by assuring the public that the rescued baby is safe and well cared for, and that the government is willing to reimburse the woman’s expenses once verified, while continuing efforts to trace the child’s biological parents.
