Ogun: Mother arrested after alleged attempt to drown baby in Sagamu River

The Ogun State Police Command on Sunday, reported the apprehension of 30-year-old Olubunmi Ajayi for attempting to drown her five-month-old baby, Imole Anifowose, in the RSS River, Sagamu. A statement from SP Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the state police command, revealed that Olusola Sonaya, who happened to be near the river, intervened and rescued the baby after the mother tossed her into the water.

The incident occurred on January 21, 2024, around 17:30hrs, prompting a swift response from the concerned citizen who witnessed the attempted murder. The rescued baby was promptly taken to Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, for urgent medical attention and was reported to be in stable condition at the time of the statement.

The released statement stated, “A five-month-old baby, Imole Anifowose, is now in stable condition after Olusola Sonaya, a resident of RSS River Sagamu, averted a premeditated drowning by the mother. Oluwabunmi Ajayi, aged 30 years, was sighted by a humanitarian dropping her child into the river.”

It further explained that the baby’s survival was attributed to the prompt action of the witness, who rescued the child from drowning. Authorities have taken the mother into custody, and she is currently under observation to assess her mental health. Efforts are underway to contact relatives or the husband for the appropriate welfare of the baby in the hospital.