Salesgirl dumps day-old baby by roadside, blames lover

Ifunanya Eme

 A salesgirl, Ifunanya Eme, has been arrested by the police in the Ajangbadi area of Lagos State, for allegedly dumping her day-old baby girl by the roadside.

Our correspondents learnt that Eme, who hails from Enugu State, was arrested on Tuesday by policemen at the Ilemba Hausa division, after residents of Solimo Street raised the alarm.

Eme, who was brought to the Lagos State Police Command headquarters, Ikeja, on Thursday, told PUNCH Metro that she dumped her day-old baby because her lover abandoned her, adding that she had no means of taking care of the child.

Our correspondents gathered that 31-year-old Eme met her lover, identified only as John, who worked as a contract worker with a company in the area, in March 2015.

It was learnt that Eme, who lived with her elder sister in Ajangbadi, informed John early 2016 that she was pregnant.

PUNCH Metro learnt that John ended the relationship, fled the area and allegedly switched off his mobile phone.

It was gathered that Eme was delivered of the baby girl on Monday in her house and wrapped her in a polythene bag.

The suspect allegedly sneaked out of the house and went out to dump the polythene bag by the roadside around 1am on Tuesday.

Residents were said to have woken up to the sight of the baby, after which the police were alerted and the baby was traced to Eme. She was subsequently arrested.

The baby was said to have  been rescued and is currently receiving medical attention.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro, Eme said she had not been able to reach John after she informed him that she was pregnant.

She said, “I am not married. I work as a salesgirl at a supermarket at Church bus stop in Ajangbadi.  I met John last year and we started dating.

“When I discovered that I was pregnant early this year, I called John and he said he was travelling and he was not prepared to take care of any child. Since then, he had not come to see me, and his mobile phone number had been switched off.

“I was delivered of the baby at home on Monday because I could not afford hospital bill. I am an orphan. So, when John left me, I did not have parents that I could give the baby to. I therefore decided to dump her by the roadside where kind-hearted people could pick her up.

“When some neighbours found her, they reported at the police station and the baby was traced to me. It was poverty that forced me to abandon the girl by the roadside.”

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said after the baby had received medical attention, she would be transferred to the appropriate government agency for rehabilitation.

He said, “The woman was arrested in connection with the abandonment of a baby.  She told the police that she abandoned the baby because she did not know the father of the child.

“The baby has been taken into police custody and she is receiving medical care. The suspect is with us and investigation is ongoing. The baby will be taken to the appropriate government agency for rehabilitation.”