The amputee lady named Mary Daniel, whose pathetic life story earned her the sympathy and support of Nigerians in the past few weeks, has been suspected of lying to gain support.
Recall that the story of Mary hit social media a few weeks ago when she was seen hawking pure water in the Oshodi area of the state.
According to Mary, her life situation took an unfortunate turn when her parents died in a terrible motor accident that claimed the lives of several other people, but she managed to escape death but had her leg amputated due to a severe injury sustained. This, she said, happened in the year 2006.
She went further to narrate how she has been struggling to make ends meet and only relies on proceeds from the sale of pure water which she allegedly hawks despite her condition until she met her helpers who published her predicament to the media space.
Mary, since her story came public, has been receiving support from well-meaning Nigerians who expressed concern and pity for her. Also, a donation of 25 Million Naira was raised on her behalf amongst other things. This prompted the state government to step in to prevent criminals from taking advantage of her sudden fortune.
However, reports making rounds now reveals a lot of irregularities may have been discovered in the story put up by Mary especially concerning the death of her parents and how she lost her leg. Information gathered tells that her father is still very much alive and did not die in an accident as portrayed; also, Mary is reported to have lost her leg at birth as against her purported story.
It was gathered that Mary Daniel started receiving strange calls from those who staged her story with threats to reveal the truth unless she gave them their share of the money.
This prompted the Lagos State Governor, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately hand her over to officials of the social welfare for investigation in the presence of the police and some Kogi leaders, who attested her father was alive, following revelations her case was staged.
Confirming the situation, the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, reveals a The Nation that Mary is in the custody of officials of the Social Welfare saying that her story was found out to be staged after all.
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.
“It came to light when the people started threatening her. She promised some N500,000 others different amounts and was planning to return to her home state when the information leaked.
“I had to attach some policemen to her to prevent any attack on her when she went to the bank. We suspected those people might follow her but everything went well as they were not seen.
“Presently, the state government is preventing her from accessing the money.
“The government does not want a situation where it will become a trend for people to cook up stories, manipulate the people to get donations,” Odumosu explained.