Amputee Hawker Comes Clear On Blackmail Allegations

Mary Daniel, the amputee hawker who was recently accused of not being truthful about her condition, and blackmailing Nigerians into donating money for her welfare, has come clear on the situation.

Mary, who is reported to be a 27-year old single mother has said that she made a mistake by saying her father, who is still alive, was dead.

She noted that she said this because her father abandoned her after the accident, and has lived without a father all her life.

She apologized for the mixup and maintained that her condition was not staged.

Mary said:

“My father abandoned me since I was involved in this accident, there was no one to take care of me, nothing! That was why I said he’s dead. But my mother is truly dead. I had an accident truly; I was not amputated from birth. 

“It was my grandmother that called me that she does not have anything, that if I have, I should send it. I said let me give her small money so she can use it to manage herself for now. I wanted to send N100, 000, I sent N200, 000 instead. She called me and asked why I sent her such a meagre amount, that, do I think she doesn’t know what’s going on, that how will people be contributing money for me and all I do is to send N200, 000. 

“She said I’d rather send more money or she will expose me and I will go back to selling pure water. I was shocked and asked what sort of thing is this. She’s my maternal grandmother, she is really old. 

“My aunties and uncles from my mother’s side are the ones pushing my grandmother into this and if she continues like this, later she will regret it. I have told her to calm down that I will take care of her but she refused. She is busy following her children around, making videos, that’s their business. 

“Nigerians should forgive me. People that stay on the streets and in noisy places, they hardly have a settled mind and I said my father is late so Nigerians can help me. I made a big mistake; Nigerians should please forgive me. 

“I want to open a supermarket in Lagos. I have always been a pure water hawker. Lagos is not the first place, I started from Onitsha, from there, I sold pure water in Asaba from there I came to Lagos. I don’t beg, even in my condition, I hawk that water so I can survive. That’s the business I have always been doing.”

The lady also appreciated the Lagos State government for the support and accommodation, as well as the recent birthday celebration which they organised for her.

She also appreciated Nigerians for their support and kind donations, adding that she will never fail them.

Source: Linda Ikeji

Featured Image Source: PM News