Agbaje Market Ibadan: How an 11-Year-Old Girl Was Allegedly Abandoned by Her Mother
What began as an ordinary business day at the bustling Agbaje Market in Ibadan turned into a heartbreaking scene when an 11-year-old girl, identified as Subomi Akinpelu, was reportedly found crying uncontrollably after being allegedly abandoned by her mother.
According to officials of the Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) unit operating within the market, the young girl was discovered near the market entrance, visibly distressed and unable to hold back her tears. Traders, drivers and passersby were drawn to the scene as concerned members of the public sought to understand what had happened to the child.
The PMS Unit Chairman explained that drivers carrying out their daily activities first noticed the girl standing alone and crying. Efforts were immediately made to calm her down and ascertain her identity. One of the unit officials, popularly known as Alhaji Also, said the girl narrated a disturbing account of how she was allegedly brought to the market by her mother and left behind.
According to him, Subomi claimed that her mother, Mrs. Tawakalitu Dasola Bashiru, dropped her at the location and drove away. The young girl reportedly told sympathisers that she could not understand why such a thing had happened, insisting that she had done nothing wrong to deserve such treatment. Witnesses said her emotional state moved many people at the market, with some struggling to hold back tears as she recounted her ordeal.
Speaking on the development, Subomi's father, an official of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in Oyo State, expressed shock and disappointment over the incident. He disclosed that there had been a long-standing dispute between him and his estranged wife, who had earlier left their matrimonial home. According to him, she allegedly moved out with some household valuables and a sum of money he had borrowed to support a personal business venture.
The father further stated that the matter had previously been reported to the Area Command, Iyaganku, but alleged that the case did not receive the attention he expected. He described the latest incident involving their daughter as deeply troubling and said he never imagined that a child would become caught in the middle of an ongoing disagreement between parents.
While fighting back emotions, he stressed that children should never be used as tools in family disputes, urging parents to place the welfare and emotional well-being of their children above personal differences. He said he was bringing the matter to public attention to serve as a warning and deterrent to others, emphasizing that every child deserves love, protection and care.
The distraught father added that the incident would be formally reported to the nearest police station for investigation, expressing hope that justice would be done and that his daughter would receive the support and protection she deserves.
The incident has sparked concern among residents and traders within the Agbaje Market community, many of whom have called for greater awareness on child welfare and the responsibilities of parents. As the matter unfolds, members of the public continue to express sympathy for the young girl whose tears at a busy marketplace have become a painful reminder of the impact family disputes can have on innocent children.
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