Government detects lies in viral amputee hawker’s claims… withholds N25m donation
Claims by Mary Daniel, the Oshodi amputee hawker that she lost a leg in an accident that killed all passengers, including her parents when she was a teenager, have been discovered as false.
Mary became a sensation weeks ago after pictures of her selling water at Oshodi emerged on social media and attracted sympathy from Nigerians across the world.
she claimed she was an orphan with a baby and an aged grandmother to fend for and narrated how life dealt her several blows and had to drop out of school and hit the streets to make ends meet.
Following her harrowing tales, Nigerians started donating money through her bank account made public with about N25m raised. This prompted the state government to immediately shelter her to prevent criminals from taking advantage of her sudden fortune.
Just few days ago, a celebrity birthday party was held in her honour featuring many cakes, fanfare, photoshoots, among others.
All was going well for the young lady until the state government discovered her father was alive. It was also detected she was amputated from birth.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu immediately handed her over to officials of the social welfare for investigation following revelations her case was staged.
Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu said the young woman was in the custody of officials of the Social Welfare and not the police as earlier reported.
“The police were there but she was not handed over to us. She was handed over to the Social Welfare. There were irregularities and lies in the account of her life she gave.
“It was discovered that contrary to her claim that her parents died during an accident that left her amputated, it was discovered that her father is very much alive and that she was amputated from birth.
“It was also discovered that her presence in Oshodi was staged. Those working with her played on the intelligence of Nigerians to get donations for her.”