Osun Police hands over missing child to father in Osogbo

AUTHORITIES of the Nigeria Police, Osun State command, on Monday in Osogbo, handed over a missing child, identified as Boluwatife Olanrewaju to his father, Mr Olatunde Olanrewaju.

Speaking shortly before the 8 years old boy was handed over to his parent by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Apomu Division, Mr Sani Mohammed Audu, Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fimihan Adeoye said the boy was not kidnapped as alleged by his father, saying Boluwatife may have strayed away from the premises of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Ori Oke Ayo, Ikoyi, where his parent has gone to pray.

He noted that there was inconsistency in the statements made to the Police by the father of the boy, claiming that Boluwatife was attending a non-existent private school, known as Jummy Group of Schools, in Igando, Lagos State.

Boluwatife, who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune explained that he was attending a public school in Osogbo and never attended any school in Lagos State as claimed by his father.

The boy, who looked unkempt and malnourished was said to have been found begging for food and money in another prayer mountain, located in Ikoyi, by a good Samaritan, who took him to a police station in Apomu of Isokan local government area of Osun State.

In a chat with our correspondent, Olatunde Olanrewaju denied ever accusing the pastors and worshippers on the mountain of kidnapping his son, contending that he only raised the alarm when he discovered that his son was missing.

However, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Adeoye, who directed the Police medical personnel, Dr Adeyemi Babatunde Michael to run medical tests on the boy because of his poor health condition, promised to foot the medical bill incurred, saying “though we are still investigating, I am interested in taking care of the innocent boy medically so that he would be okay”.

Meanwhile, the Pastor in charge of CAC Ori Oke Ayo, Pastor Adekola Timothy said “I did not know anything about the missing boy until Police came to the mountain. I was not around on the day. Some of those that were arrested came for prayers on the mountain for the alleged abduction of the child. That was the report they gave me the second day when I came to the mountain”.

According to him, “the father of the boy can explain better what actually happened because I was told he did not sleep and he was busy making phone calls. When I came around 12.00pm the following day, I met the parents eating on the mountain. I was surprised and shocked that somebody, whose child is missing could be eating”.

“I said they should go and call him for me. When I was asking him questions, he just walked away from my presence. Later, Police came to arrest us. There was nothing like kidnapping of any sort on our mountain. I am the pastor in charge, posted to that church and the mountain by the authorities of the CAC and I don’t have any deputy”, Adekola posited