Lagos State Government says it has handed over the amputee sachet water hawker Mary Daniel to the leader of the Igala (Kogi State) community in Lagos State following reports she lied about her story.
Special adviser, office of civic engagement Aderemi Adebowale, while handing over Ms Daniel to her kinsmen, disclosed that the state government would continue to protect all residents in the state, especially the vulnerable.
Daniel, whose story has attracted widespread attention, particularly on social media, has been in the safe custody of the state government in the past two weeks.
Adebowale said the government took the step to shield Daniel from possible fraudsters who may target the funds donated to her by well-meaning Nigerians.
According to the special adviser, the ultimate desire of the state government is to ensure that Daniel becomes a civically responsible citizen in the state, adding that “she now has the resources to take care of herself and her baby and have a new lease of life.”
But Commissioner of police in Lagos Hakeem Odumosu had told The Nation that it was gathered that Daniel lied that she lost a leg in an accident that killed all passengers, including her parents, when she was a teenager. But her father is still alive.
He also quoted as saying her presence in Oshodi was staged and that she had been receiving strange calls from those who staged her story with threats to reveal the truth unless she gave them their share of N25 million donated by the public.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
“Presently, the state government is preventing her from accessing the money,” he added.
Daniel was handed over to a committee comprising representatives of the ministry of justice, ministry of youth and social development, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and the leader of Igala community in Lagos State, Sanni Ejima, in the presence of the divisional police officer, Alausa and representative of the commissioner of police, Lagos State Command.
Adebowale added that the committee is to oversee Daniel’s rehabilitation and ensure that the donated funds are judiciously utilised for the improvement of her standard of living and that of her baby.
