An indigene of Ibadan, Oyo State, Alimat Idowu, who travelled to Libya three years ago pregnant with Michelle, tells GODFREY GEORGE how her neighbour, Janet Titilayomi, ran away to Italy with her two-year-old daughter

You announced online that your two-year-old daughter was stolen and trafficked from Libya to Italy by a neighbour of yours. How did this happen?

I don’t even know where to start. I am tired. I don’t know what to do.

Madam, take your time and explain…

Hmmm… That woman, Janet Dare Titilayomi, was my neighbour. We lived in the same apartment. We lived in the same building here in Libya for the past year. She lived on the top floor, and I was staying downstairs with a family member, who came here with me.

I moved into this building in March this year, and I brought my child here as well. I was going to work one morning, and begged Janet to help me babysit my child for a few hours since she (neighbour) was done with her job for the day.

I later realized that my child grew fond of her because she took care of her very well. Before I came back from work, she would have fed her, bathed her, changed her clothes and even put her to bed. All I had to do whenever I came back from work was go to her room upstairs to check up on my child.

If she were awake, I would play with her a little before going to my apartment to sleep a little and prepare for my next shift. This was the routine for months, and no issues arose.

Did you suspect anything was wrong with the fondness she had for your child, Michelle?

Nothing at all; we are both from Ibadan, Oyo State, and she has been in Libya longer than I have. I just felt it was a countrywoman being kind to another countrywoman in a strange land. I suspected nothing. It was also a relief to know that another woman was willing to take care of my child very well in my absence and make my child feel at home.

So, that explains the many pictures Janet has of your daughter on her social media pages…?

Oh yes. In fact, I think there are more pictures of her and my daughter than of me, the mother. I am not much of a social media person. But if you check my Facebook page, you will see pictures of my daughter there.

In July, for instance, when my child was about to clock two years, she took her for a photoshoot, and I saw the pictures. They were nice. I simply felt she was being nice, not until she stole my child and ran away.

How did that happen?

She told me she wanted to go to work and that she would love to go with my baby, Michelle. I expressed my concerns because we are migrants here, and we are trying to be careful. We also try to lay low, so as not to attract any problems. She reassured me that I should not worry, adding that she would still take care of my baby.

Having trusted her to take care of my baby for the past year, I didn’t doubt her. But she called me on Tuesday, saying that she had gone to Italy with my child.

Just like that?

My brother, just like that! I even learnt that she crossed the Mediterranean with my two-year-old daughter. A two-year-old girl! I was angry. Why would she take my two-year-old child to cross the sea? Why would she risk my child’s life? I didn’t ask her to take my child to Italy. So, why would she do that to me? I was confused.

She told me that I was ungrateful, stating that she simply wanted to give the baby a better life. But I did not consent to her taking my child to Italy. I never did. She said she had since paid for the child’s travel. Can you imagine!

Have you reported this case to the authorities?

I’m just angry and tired; I don’t even know what to do. The authorities are saying that there is nothing I can do other than to cross over to Italy to meet her. I really cannot do much, so I will not be deported back to Nigeria after all the time I have spent here.

How long have you been staying in Libya?

I have been living in Libya for almost three years.

Why did you leave Nigeria?

I left because I wanted a better life for my family.

Where is Michelle’s father?

My baby daddy and I usually call the lady to speak to my child on a video call whenever I am at work. In fact, on the particular Sunday that she moved, I still spoke to my baby, not knowing that she had a different plan to take my child to Italy across the Mediterranean.

What steps have you taken to get your child back?

I have been calling her to ask for my child back. I told her I’m going back home. The baby daddy has been disturbing me to bring his child back home, but she has not been forthcoming.

Someone from Italy has also been helping me out, particularly in getting a lawyer for me. I have spoken to the lawyer. My cousin in Italy is also helping me out; she has promised to help me report the matter to the police. I didn’t know the lady from Nigeria; it was in Libya that we met.

Why did you not make arrangements for your child’s welfare while you were at work?

In Libya, if you have a child, you take him or her with you to work. Janet doesn’t really go out. Her work schedule is more flexible. That was why I decided to keep my child with her. I trusted her with my child, but she stole my child.

People are saying that you have a health challenge, and you told Janet to take the child to Italy. Is this correct?

I don’t have any sickness. I cannot be sick and still be working with Arabians because they test our blood every six months. Janet is a pathetic liar. There is nothing she has not said about me. I didn’t permit her to take my child to Europe. Michelle is only two years old. She clocked two on July 17. She’s too young for such a dangerous journey.

People online are saying that Janet is your sister-in-law. How true is this?

The lady is neither my relative, nor my husband’s sister. She has been telling a lot of lies; she told people that I permitted her to take my child to Italy, which I never did.

What do you want to be done in this matter?

I’m appealing to all the concerned authorities to help me get my child back. I came to this country while pregnant with my baby. I gave birth to my child through a Caesarean section. I’m not a prostitute. My mistake was to trust her to babysit my child whenever I go to work. Nigerians, please help me. I want my child back.

What are your fears concerning the welfare of your child?

My child has no health-related issue; she is hale and hearty. I just want my child back. She has never been sick before. I fear that they said the government there can take away your child and put her in the custody of social workers. I don’t want that.

I call on the Nigerian government to help me bring my child back. I am scared for my child. President Bola Tinubu, his wife, Aunty Remi, and the entire Nigerian people, please, help me. Bring my child back to me.

How sure are you that Michelle is really your daughter?

I swear to God in heaven, Michelle is my daughter. I carried her for nine months. I suffered for that girl. In fact, I am willing to subject myself to a DNA test to prove she is mine.

All I want is to have her back. Even Janet has never said the child is hers; she’s only said that I should move on without my daughter. I cannot do that. That girl is all I have. Please, help me. (The PUNCH)