A physically challenged person hawker, Mary Daniel, whose viral video attracted sympathy and financial donations, has been uncovered to have stage-managed her presence at Oshodi.

On April 7, Ms Daniel video was shared on social media, hawking sachet water, drawing sympathy and donations from Nigerians. Many supported her with cash donations and even celebrated her 27th birthday in a grand style.

When she narrated her ordeal, she claimed she was an orphan with a grandmother and daughter to fend for. She also claimed that her leg was amputated as a teenager after an auto crash that killed other passengers, including her parents.

In less than a month, she received N25 million in financial donations.

However, according to The Nation’s report, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu asked a Kogi traditional leader to do a background check on Ms Daniel. It was discovered her father is still alive, and the amputee’s presence at the Oshodi market staged.

The governor ordered the Office of Special Adviser on Civic engagement to handle her case. After police officers were questioning her, she admitted that her father was alive, her mother had died but not in an accident, and that she was amputated at birth.

On Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Hakeem Odumosu, said, “She was handed over to social welfare. There were irregularities and lies in the account of her life she gave.”

He added, “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. 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.”

The police pointed out that the government would not allow her to access the money.