“UK Social Services Took My Kids”– Nigerian Woman In UK Begs NIDCOM For Urgent Intervention
A United Kingdom-based Nigerian woman, identified as Oluwatosin, has called on the Nigerian government and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to intervene after her husband was arrested and her children were taken away by social services in Durham in what she described as an “unfair” process.
In an interview with SaharaReporters, Oluwatosin recounted the distressing events that began on December 3, 2024, when her daughter made a disclosure about her husband to her school.
“On the 3rd of December, my daughter, who I have always had concerns about and have always spoken to the school about, made a disclosure to her school regarding my husband,” she explained. “My husband was arrested on the same day, and on the 8th of December, my daughter retracted her statement.”
Despite the retraction, social services stepped in and escalated the situation.
“On the 12th of December, social services handed me a letter at 1 PM, summoning me to court at 2 PM the same day. My children were immediately removed from my custody,” Oluwatosin revealed.
Since then, she has been allowed only supervised visits with her children, but these have also been marred by allegations.
“The student social worker accused me of whispering to my daughter and intimidating her. As a result, I was arrested on January 6, 2025, and bailed with a condition preventing me from seeing my children for now,” she said.
Oluwatosin also disclosed that the police have confiscated her electronic devices, leaving her further isolated. “Both my phones and laptop are in police custody. I cannot see my children, nor can I communicate with my husband, who is also out on bail.”
Appealing for assistance, she pleaded, “I have no contact in the Nigerian High Commission or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help. Please, I need the Nigerian authorities and NIDCOM to come to my rescue.”
The case has drawn attention within the Nigerian community in the UK, with many expressing sympathy for her plight. Oluwatosin further criticized the school’s handling of prior concerns she had raised about her daughter.
“I have been documenting my concerns with this school about her behavior, exposure, and ways of life. Even the school itself once questioned if it was the right environment for her,” she noted.
Concluding her appeal, Oluwatosin highlighted the broader issue affecting Nigerians abroad: “I know a lot of Nigerians are in this situation. No one is stopping them from investigating, but the way this is being handled is unfair.”