‘How Neighbour Took Custody Of My Children, Converted Them To Christianity’ – Newstrends
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‘How Neighbour Took Custody Of My Children, Converted Them To Christianity’

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2 years ago

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Aisha with her children after regaining them

Aishatu Muhammad, a widow and mother of two still struggles with the orientation of her two daughters, aged nine and 10 after they were abducted and converted to Christianity, five years ago. She recently told Daily Trust Saturday that the Lagos State Police Command had failed to investigate the matter and arrest the suspect whom she identified by the name Kudira, who lives in Adamo Olorunda, Ikorodu area of Lagos State. The widow explained that the matter had been reported to the police at Olorunda but they had showed little concern and did not initiate an investigation or effect arrest on the suspect.

Having lost her husband six years ago when they lived in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, the mother of two said she relocated to Oshogbo, in Osun State with her two children and later fell ill. She said due to her ailment, her neighbour, Kudira had offered to care for her children because Aishatu was preparing to move to the northern part of the country for treatment. “I agreed to leave the children with her since she was my neighbour, and we lived in the same house,” Aishatu said. “While away, I would call her on phone to check on my children, and she would tell me that they were fine and were even going to school,” she narrated. 

But suddenly, Aishatu said it became difficult to reach her neighbour on phone and soon after she had recuperated, she travelled down to Oshogbo to see her children, but found that Kudira and the children had relocated to Lagos State. 

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“I followed her to Lagos after some good Samaritans raised some money for me but I was unable to find her. I spent lot of time over there till I exhausted my finances and had to return to the North, where I sought for prayers from some clerics, in a bid to recover my children,” she said. 

Soon after she raised some money again, Aishatu said she returned to Oshogbo where a woman she was acquainted with told her she had her ex-neighbour’s current phone number. “She helped me call her on phone but she was aggressive to her and was shouting why she had to call her and talk about the children. The woman ended the call, and told me that there was nothing she could do, but disclosed that Kudira and my children were living in Ikorodu area of Lagos.” 

Armed with this information, Aishatu travelled to Ikorodu, and for days went around on a motorcycle in search of her children. “I was doing that for days then one day, I heard the voice of my youngest child shouting my name. I stopped the bike man, grabbed her and interrogated her. I asked of her older sister and she told me that she was in another house with another woman who sells food. I asked her to lead me to the house and on reaching there, the woman refused to release my daughter claiming that the actual woman (Kudira) who gave her the child was not around. She said Kudira had travelled to the North to buy yam and that she could only release the child when she returned.”   

The mother of two said she had noticed that her youngest daughter’s physical appearance had changed and that she was wearing a cross neck piece. “Her name is Zainab but they renamed her Sarah. So, I asked of the Sarkin Hausawa in the area and someone took me to him. I explained my ordeal to him and he immediately took me to the police station at Olorunda and laid a complaint. The police asked us to wait till Kudira returns and when she did, I went with the Sarkin Hausawa to meet her but she insisted she was not going to release my child. When the Sarkin Hausawa told her that he had reported the matter to the police and requested that we all go to the police station, she agreed to release her.”

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However, expressing disappointment, Aishatu said after the Sarkin Hausawa called the police on phone and informed them that Kudira had returned, instead of inviting the suspect or arresting her, the police asked the Sarkin Hausawa to take charge of the case, since the woman was now willing to release the child. “That was how I got my children, through the help of Sarkin Hausawa. To some extent, my eldest child who had been renamed Deborah refused to follow me because she had lived with them for years and she was being threatened by them,” she said. 

The widow, whose children, aged nine and 10 now live with her said she had been denied five years of living with her girls saying she is now doing her best to care for them. 

“Even as I don’t have much to offer them, I am now staying in Sabo in Ondo State, doing some petty jobs, such as cleaning and washing plates so as to care for my children. What i can say now is that my children need prayers and proper orientation,” she said. 

The Sarkin Hausawa of Adamo Olorunda, Malam Abdurahman Sulaiman told Daily Trust Saturday that he had earlier reported the case to the police, and that Kudira, who abducted the children was around when he called the police on phone to notify them. “They asked me whether she was willing to release the children and I told them yes, but that we needed to come to the police station for documentation but the police said it was not necessary that I could also do that in my palace. Ans so, I did and asked my secretary to write and both parties signed,” he said.

Corroborating this, Abubakar Alhassan, the Secretary of the Sarkin Hausawa of Olorunda who recorded the video and posted it on Facebook to draw the attention of the relevant authorities however said his account had been hacked after the video went viral. All efforts made by our correspondent to get the comments of the Lagos State Police Command was unsuccessful as the Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin did not answer calls and did not reply a text message sent to him.

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Lagos govt clears traders from rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi

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11 hours ago

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December 31, 2024

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Lagos govt clears traders from rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi

The Lagos State Government has removed traders operating on the rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi, following a viral video that raised concerns about public safety.

The announcement was made by Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, on Monday.

The clearance was done in collaboration with the Nigerian Army from the nearby Ikeja Cantonment.

Wahab’s statement read: “Following the viral video on social media, we’ve removed traders from the rail tracks at Bolade, opposite Arena Shopping Complex, in collaboration with Nigerian Army personnel from Ikeja Cantonment.” 

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The viral video, originally shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user identified as @dipoaina1 on December 28, depicted scenes of buying and selling taking place perilously close to the railway tracks.

The footage showed an NRC train on the Lagos-Ibadan rail track passing by as people continued their activities undeterred. The post highlighted the dangers posed by the lack of barriers, with @dipoaina1 suggesting the railway route be fenced with barbed wire to prevent such risky behavior.

The government’s swift response underscores its commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining order around critical infrastructure. This move also aligns with broader efforts to address safety challenges associated with urban rail transportation in Lagos. However, the incident highlights the need for sustained proactive measures rather than reactive actions to prevent future occurrences.

 

Lagos govt clears traders from rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi

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Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year

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11 hours ago

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December 31, 2024

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Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year

In less than 12 hours, countries around the world will be celebrating a New Year – 2025.

However, there are some countries that will not join in the celebration as their calendars differ from the rest of the worlds’.

Ethiopia, Nepal, Iran, and Afghanistan are four countries that won’t be celebrating New Year’s Day 2025.

Ethiopia is a land of ancient traditions and unique cultural identities, including its own calendar system. The Ethiopian calendar, based on the Coptic calendar, comprises 13 months—12 of which have 30 days, while the 13th month, Pagumē, has five or six days depending on the leap year.

The Ethiopian New Year, known as Enkutatash, falls on Meskerem 1, which corresponds to September 11 or 12 in the Gregorian calendar. Interestingly, Ethiopia is about seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, meaning that as the rest of the world enters 2025, Ethiopia will still be in 2017.

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Nepal embraces two traditional calendar systems—Vikram Samvat and Nepal Sambat—making it one of the most unique timekeeping cultures globally. Vikram Samvat, a lunisolar calendar, is the official calendar of Nepal and is approximately 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.

Additionally, the Nepal Sambat, a lunar calendar, is used by the Newar community and runs on its own timeline, adding another layer of distinction to the nation’s calendar traditions. The official New Year celebration in Nepal, called Bisket Jatra, typically falls in April. Hence, January 1 is not a significant date in Nepal.

Iran follows the Solar Hijri calendar, which is one of the most accurate solar calendars in the world. This system begins with the vernal equinox, marking the first day of spring. The Iranian New Year, known as Nowruz, falls around March 21 and is celebrated with elaborate customs and rituals that date back over 3,000 years.

For Iranians, January 1 is an ordinary winter day, with their focus firmly set on the arrival of spring and the renewal it symbolises.

Afghanistan also uses the Solar Hijri calendar, aligning its timekeeping closely with Iran. Similarly, Nowruz marks the New Year in Afghanistan, celebrated with feasts, family gatherings, and cultural events.

Afghanistan’s rich history and adherence to its traditional calendar reflect its cultural pride and resistance to adopting the Gregorian system, making it one of the few nations where January 1 holds no special significance.

 

Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year

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Social media abuzz over Fayose claim of N50m donation to VeryDarkMan’s NGO

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11 hours ago

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December 31, 2024

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Isaac Fayose

Social media abuzz over Fayose claim of N50m donation to VeryDarkMan’s NGO

 

Social media was set abuzz on the cusp of the new year when Isaac Fayose, the entrepreneur and younger brother to former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, claimed he had donated a staggering N50 million to the NGO of popular activist VeryDarkMan.

 

In a post that blended philanthropy with a touch of mischief, Fayose teased followers with the declaration, describing it as both a “prank” and a “blessing.”

 

However, the announcement didn’t land smoothly with everyone. While some praised Fayose’s generosity, others demanded proof of the hefty donation.

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“Show us the evidence,” a skeptical follower urged, echoing the sentiment of many. “Without proper investigation, it’s wrong to just believe such claims.”

 

The skepticism grew as other comments poured in. “Send a receipt, even if it’s fake, before we Ekiti people fall for this prank,” one user joked, while another humorously quipped, “Statement of account or no deal!”

 

Some followers, however, leaned into the fun side of the announcement. A playful comment from one admirer read, “I’m proud of you, baby. I’ll donate my kidney to you!” Meanwhile, others took a more serious tone, questioning why Fayose didn’t spearhead his own initiative instead of supporting another.

 

Fayose’s post, now a viral topic, continues to draw both laughter and criticism. While the jury is still out on the truth of the donation, one thing remains certain—Isaac Fayose knows how to get people talking.

 

 

Social media abuzz over Fayose claim of N50m donation to VeryDarkMan’s NGO

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