•Refuse dumpsite in Lagos
The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps, popularly known as KAI, has rescued four nursing mothers and their babies from an illegal dumpsite at Agboju along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Lagos State.
According to a statement on the agency’s X page yesterday, the rescue was carried out on Monday as part of an ongoing inter-agency cleanup of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway corridor aimed at removing illegal dumpsites, shanties and other environmental infractions.
The statement noted that the Corps Marshal of LAGESC, Olaniyi Cole, disclosed that operatives were shocked to discover young mothers living with their babies in what he described as inhumane conditions at the illegal dumpsite.
According to him, one of the babies rescued was only nine days old and had been living in an environment characterised by filth, poor air quality and inadequate access to necessities.
The rescued women were identified as Fareedat Muyideen, 23, from Kwara State, with her two-year-old child; Ayomide Ayomoke, 25, from Ondo State, with her 10-month-old baby; Amanda Oziema Abalihi, 20, from Anambra State, with her nine-day-old baby; and Chisom Ugo, 24, from Imo State, with her 11-month-old child.
He said the women and their children were rescued because of concerns over their health and safety, adding that they were receiving medical attention before being reunited with their families or referred to relevant welfare authorities.
The inter-Agency cleanup of the Lagos-Badagry expressway which has been ongoing for weeks now, is aimed at removing infractions and hindrances on that corridor which has been successful but to our utter amazement, we discovered that there are young nursing mothers living in inhumane condition in these illegals dump sites and shanties, hence the need to rescue them, offer medical assistance before reuniting them with their families or the welfare authorities,” the statement quoted Cole as saying.
Cole appealed to relatives who may be searching for the women to contact the relevant authorities, noting that the rescued mothers and children were currently receiving medical care.
He also said LAGESC was working with relevant government and humanitarian agencies to ensure the rehabilitation and reintegration of the women and their children.
The Corps Marshal urged parents and guardians to pay closer attention to the welfare of their children, noting that some young people end up on the streets because of alleged maltreatment at home.
He reiterated the Lagos State Government’s position against child abuse and neglect, warning that parents and guardians found culpable could face prosecution.
