Pregnant Woman In Labour Dies Over Lockdown Order At Checkpoint In Ogun State

Pregnant Woman In Labour Dies Over Lockdown Order At Checkpoint In Ogun State

A pregnant woman, Waidat Adedeji, who was in labour died on Thursday afternoon after she was allegedly delayed by some officers at a police checkpoint for not wearing a face mask in the Ogun Waterside local government area of Ogun State.

According to reports, Mrs. Opeoluwa Waidat Adedeji, a mother of six was said to have called an okada man to assist her to the hospital when she discovered she had labour pains. The woman was assisted by her son on the okada to the general hospital from Ita- Otu got stocked at Sowore for hours due to the resistance of the police officers at the checkpoint.

The deceased son said all their pleas to these officers fell on their deaf ears despite seeing the pregnant woman in noticeable labour pains. “They insisted we turn back despite our passionate appeals,” he stated.

It was gathered that the woman died at the police checkpoint while they were being questioned by the cops about why they were not wearing face masks and also not obeying the social distancing order of the state government.

It was after they discovered that the woman has lost consciousness that they allowed us.

‘And painfully, I lost my mother before she got to the hospital’ he cried.

The ugly effect made the youth of the local government to troop out in large numbers to protest the insensitivity and inhuman attitude of the police officers on duty.

The timely intervention of the local government transition chairman, Comrade Oluwafemi Onanuga, the Alarige of Ibiade, and the Ojotunmoro of Abigi doused the tension and the palpable crisis that would have erupted.

The protesting youth who carried the corpse to the police headquarters at Abigi was ready for a total showdown but the timely intervention of some notable indigenes and royal fathers of the communities calmed the situation.

While calming the nerves of the youths, the local government chairman promised to monitor the case and make sure that justice is done to it.

He equally promised to get the approval of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun Mfr, the executive Governor of Ogun state to empower at least, two of the deceased children into the workforce of Ogun Waterside local government.

Abimbola said three occupants on a motorcycle who violated the directive of the state government, were questioned on why they did not obey the sit-at-home order.

He added that they were asked to go when they informed the police at the checkpoint that the woman was being conveyed to hospital for delivery.

“They were stopped and interrogated on why they did not obey the sit at home order. They informed the police that the woman was being conveyed to hospital for delivery, and having noticed that the woman was in pains, our men allowed them to proceed,” he said

More so, the Police Area Commands has ordered the arrest of the erring officers and set to transfer them to Elewearan in Ogun state headquarter for proper investigation.

The Area Commander equal promised to recommend two of the deceased children to the Police Commissioner for employment into Nigeria police force.