Prophetess, Couple, Others Nabbed For Kidnap Of 5-day Old Baby

By Tola Oyewale

A self-acclaimed Prophetess of a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Iragbiji, and a couple Femi and Funmi Oladejo who have just delivered of a baby boy are presently in police net for alleged kidnap of a five-day old baby in Ilare-Ijesa, Obokun East Local Council Development Council Area of Osun State.

The prophetess allegedly kidnapped the baby and claimed that it was his father, Femi, a furniture maker, popularly known as ‘Alebale’ who offered to sell the baby to her.

The newly-born baby is the 9th child of the couple.

A resident of the community had told OSUN DEFENDER that one Atilola Ganiyu, a Fuji singer, who was suspected to be a man friend to the prophetess had introduced Funmi Oladejo to her when she was pregnant on the agreement that she would be performing spiritual cleansing on her for safe delivery.

When the woman gave birth to the child last week, the resident said that the prophetess was informed and she came to Ilare from Iragbiji after four day on the pretence of taking care of the baby.

“When she came, Atilola Ganiyu lodged the Prophetess in a house opposite the house of the baby’s parents. The following day, she went to bath the new baby, back her, after which the mother of the baby left the house for a programme.

“When the mother of the baby returned, it was discovered that the Prophetess had packed her luggage out of where she was lodged and escaped with the baby.

“After shouting for help, the police from Ibokun Police Station were invited and arrested Atilola Ganiyu and the landlord of the house where the prophetess was lodge. The prophetess was later trailed to Iragbiji, but when she was not found, his son was arrested”.

He said that after some frantic efforts, the prophetess was eventually arrested in Ipetu-Ile with the baby in her hand and detained at the police station in Ibokun.

In the course of interrogation, the woman reportedly claimed that it was the father of the baby who offered to sell him for N500,000, but a sum of N40,000 had been paid as advance payment. This was denied by the father of the baby.

As at the time of filing this report on Wednesday morning, the arrested persons in connection with the crime are still detained at Ibokun Police Station.

Speaking on the matter, the Owalare of Ilare, Oba Emmanuel Otebolaku who confirmed the alleged crime appealed to the police to get to the root of the matter and the ensure that the law takes its course on whoever is found guilty.

The monarch who hinted that he had been informed that the prophetess had confessed to the crime wondered why such crime would be committed against an innocent baby.

The Owalare who attributed the crime to the lack of fear of God, urged the people to always have the fear of God and be mindful of consequences before venturing into any action.