Lagos Agency Rescues Four Nursing Mothers, Babies From Lagos Dumpsite

Four nursing mothers and their babies have been rescued from an illegal dumpsite in Agboju, along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, by the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as KAI.

The women and their children are now receiving medical attention, according to the Corps Marshal of LAGESC, Olaniyi Cole, who said they would be reunited with their families or referred to the appropriate welfare authorities once cleared.

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.

The rescue, carried out on Monday, was part of an ongoing inter-agency cleanup of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway corridor targeting illegal dumpsites, shanties and other environmental infractions, a statement on the agency's X page said on Tuesday.

Cole said operatives were shocked to find the young mothers living with their babies in what he called inhumane conditions at the dumpsite, adding that the youngest of the babies rescued was only nine days old and had been living amid filth, poor air quality and inadequate access to basic necessities.

"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 conditions in these illegal dump sites and shanties, hence the need to rescue them, offer medical assistance, before reuniting them with their families or the welfare authorities," Cole said.

He appealed to relatives who may be searching for the women to reach out to the relevant authorities, noting that the mothers and children were currently under medical care.

He added that LAGESC was working with government and humanitarian agencies to ensure the women and their children are properly rehabilitated and reintegrated.

Cole also used the occasion to urge parents and guardians to pay closer attention to the welfare of their children, noting that some young people end up on the streets over alleged maltreatment at home.

He reiterated the Lagos State Government's stance against child abuse and neglect, warning that culpable parents and guardians could face prosecution.