Mother of boy dumped at filling station arrested

Blessing Goodluck, the mother, who on Thursday tortured her nine-year-old son, Kingsley, and dumped him at a filling station on Ijaiye Road in the Agbado area of Lagos, has been apprehended by the police.

The police trailed the 23-year-old mother to Ojuelegba, where the son claimed they lived, without success.She was eventually traced to a residence on Sule Babalola Street, Agbado.

Kingsley, whose body bears scars from lashes, was beaten by his mother for greeting a neighbour with whom she had grudges. Some Good Samaritans  fed him before taking him to the Ijaiye-Ojokoro Police Station.

The primary two pupil was taken to a general hospital for treatment. He was seen playing around on Sunday at the police station.

Blessing, who admitted that her action was wrong, said she was frustrated, describing her son as being troublesome.

She said, “I have realized that I over reacted. Kingsley is very stubborn and troublesome. He won’t sit at home. He will be jumping from one house to another. I was frustrated. I promise it will never happen again. I have learnt my lesson.”

A police source said that Blessing wept all night in custody. The source also that said Kingsley has been counselled to turn a new leaf.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said Blessing was still under interrogation and would be charged to court afterwards.

He said, “This is a case of child abuse. The 23-year-old mother was arrested on Sule Babalola Street, Agbado. The boy was abandoned in a bad condition. He was treated at the Lagos State General Hospital, Ile Epo. The mother is under interrogation.” 

Punch