Lagos State Government has handed over Mary Daniel, the amputee sachet water hawker, to the leader of the Igala (Kogi State) community in the state, disclosing that the police were brought in during the hand-over event to protect Daniel.
The government denied the claims in some media reports that Daniel provided wrong information about the status of her parents, who before now were said to be dead. It also denied that it has withheld the fund donated to the lady as a result of the true status of her parents.
The special adviser, Office of Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, while handing her over Daniel to her kinsmen disclosed that the state government will continue to protect all residents in the state, especially the vulnerable.
Recall that the amputee, whose story has attracted widespread attention, particularly in 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”.
