The fate of a
lady, identified simply as Ifeoma, who is believed to be between 16 and 17
years old, has been giving residents of Ilaro, in the Yewa South Local
Government Area of Ogun State, a cause for concern.
It was said
that she had been beaten and impregnated before being dumped in Ilaro, where
she had been living beside a building on Upper Leslie Road, Ilaro, for over
nine months at the mercy of the elements.
Ifeoma was
said to have been dumped by the roundabout along Upper Leslie Road around May
2014 by an unidentified person.
On the fateful
day she was dumped at the spot, the residents recalled that her face was
swollen, while marks were seen over her body.
It was
gathered that Ifeoma exhibited traits of someone who was mentally-challenged,
such as smiling when there was no need for it, and throwing nothing in
particular into her mouth.
Sitting by
two bagful of used clothes given to her by Good Samaritans and another one full
of plastic plates, Ifeoma was also incoherent while responding to some
questions put to her by journalist.
Miss Beauty
Saliu, a graduate-apprentice in a bead store in front of the building where
Ifeoma stays, had become Ifeoma’s benefactor.
She said, “It
was sometime in June, when I returned from a trip, that I saw this girl by the
roadside. Her face was swollen and she looked like someone that had been beaten
up thoroughly. She was always outside there in the rain and in the sun. At
night, she would retire to the side of the building and sleep there.”
Saliu said
she later discovered that Ifeoma had been impregnated.
She said,
“After about three months, she began to exhibit symptoms of an expectant
mother. She vomited and was sleeping endlessly.
“I took her
to the health centre here in Ilaro, and also took her to a laboratory and did a
scan.
“She was
indeed pregnant, and nobody knew how she was impregnated. I had to register her
for ante-natal care and continue to pay all the bills.”
Saliu said a
few days to the delivery date, she contacted the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde
Olugbenle, intimating him of the predicament of Ifeoma.
Saliu added,
“I was the one doing everything for her. She came dressed only in knickers and
a vest. I had to buy a new set of underwear and clothes for her.
“When her
delivery date was near, I wrote to the Oba of Ilaro, intimating him of Ifeoma’s
condition. Kabiyesi said I should contact his personal assistant, which I did.”
Saliu said
exactly on January 10, 2015, Ifeoma was delivered of a baby girl at the health
centre where she had her ante-natal, and on third day, the baby, now named
Toluwani Amosun, was moved to an orphanage in Ilaro, named Future Leaders
Orphanage, on the orders of the monarch.
The little baby was found asleep in a cot when the orphanage was
visited.
But Ifeoma
could neither remember where she hailed from nor her parents’ names. She also
replied to every question put to her in pidgin Engilsh.
Part of the
conversation goes thus;
Question: Where did you come from?
Ifeoma: “I
come from Lagos, Agofure Motor Park, Lagos.”
Question: What about your parents?
Ifeoma: My
papa and mama don die, dem dey village. My sister name na Faith and Favour.
She then
smlled and turned away her face.
Question: Who brought you to Ilaro?
Ifeoma: One
boy.
Ifeoma,
however, said she wanted to go home, but was unable to state where
her home was.
Ifeoma’s
benefactors said they hoped that someone who knew her would show up and show
her the way home with her baby.
Culled: Punch
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