By Habeeb Ibrahim
The peaceful town of Epe in Lagos State has been thrown into chaos following the abduction of a six-month-old baby, Abdul Fatai Edu, under chilling circumstances. A trusted neighbor, Jimoh Barakat Tolani, allegedly took the child from his mother, Mistura Edu, under the guise of a short visit to the local Ayetoro market.
According to Duke Olabode, the incident occurred last Friday, 6th of September, 2024, when Tolani, who had developed a close bond with the baby, approached the infant’s mother, 20-year-old Mistura Edu, offering to take Abdul along with her on a brief trip to the popular Ayetoro market. Assuring the mother that they would return quickly, Tolani took the baby on a motorcycle and left the Edu family compound.
However, hours passed, and the duo never returned. What began as a short errand soon turned into a nightmare, as there was no sign of Tolani or the baby by the end of the day. By Saturday and into Sunday morning, their whereabouts remained unknown, plunging the entire community into distress.
As panic spread, Mistura visited the Epe Police Station to report the abduction, only to face an unexpected and harrowing ordeal. Officers at the station allegedly detained her, accusing her of orchestrating her own child’s abduction. Mistura was reportedly kept in a cell overnight and only released late on Saturday after selling her phone to secure bail.
The entire situation has sparked outrage within the community, as many express disbelief that a neighbor, trusted by the family, could commit such an act. While some have criticized Mistura for allowing her child to leave with Tolani, others insist that no one can predict misfortune, especially when dealing with familiar faces.
Concerned citizens are calling on key figures to intervene, including the Inspector General of Police, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, and various community leaders. They urge swift action to find both Tolani and the baby and to ensure that cases like this do not become commonplace.
Anyone with information is encouraged to assist the investigation, while the family continues to appeal for help from both the public and the authorities in their desperate search for Abdul.
