Woman disguises as Muslim woman in Niqab to steal in Ado-Ekiti market, video sparks outrage

By Newstrends News Desk

A viral video showing a woman allegedly wearing a Muslim woman’s Niqab as a disguise while attempting to steal at a market in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has sparked outrage and raised questions over the use of religious attire as a cover for criminal activity.

The woman, identified in the viral Facebook post as Alebiosu Mercy, was reportedly apprehended after she was allegedly caught in connection with theft at Agric Olope Market in Ado-Ekiti.

Alebiosu Mercy

In the video, the woman is seen being interrogated by people who reportedly apprehended her. During the questioning, she allegedly disclosed that she is a member of the Celestial Church of Christ, despite having been dressed in a Niqab at the time of the alleged incident.

The revelation has generated strong reactions, particularly because the Niqab is widely associated with Muslim women and is worn by some Muslim women as part of their religious observance.

‘Why disguise as a Muslim woman?’

The development has raised concerns among some social media users who viewed the incident as an attempt to exploit the appearance of a Muslim woman to conceal an alleged criminal act.

The central question emerging from the video is why a woman who, according to the interrogation shown in the footage, identifies herself as a Celestial Church member would allegedly choose a Niqab as a disguise while committing an offence.

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Some observers argued that such conduct could unfairly reinforce negative stereotypes about Muslim women who wear the Niqab, particularly if members of the public subsequently associate the attire with criminality.

However, Newstrends.ng cannot independently establish the woman’s motive for wearing the Niqab beyond what is shown and allegedly stated in the viral video. Her alleged confession should therefore be treated as part of the claims surrounding the incident until independently confirmed by law-enforcement authorities.

Video fuels religious controversy

The incident has quickly moved beyond an alleged market theft case, with social media users debating the religious dimension of the woman’s choice of clothing.

For many Muslims, the Niqab is a religious form of modest dress, and its use as an alleged disguise for criminal activity has been described by some commentators as particularly disturbing.

At the same time, it is important not to allow the alleged conduct of one individual to become a basis for branding an entire religious community or women who wear the Niqab as criminals.

The alleged offence is an individual matter, and the religious identity of the suspect does not establish the character or conduct of Muslim women generally.

Police confirmation still awaited

As of the time of filing this report, there was no verified statement from the Ekiti State Police Command specifically confirming the arrest of the woman, the alleged theft at Agric Olope Market or the circumstances surrounding the viral video.

It is also unclear whether the woman was subsequently handed over to the police or whether formal charges have been filed against her.

Newstrends.ng could not independently verify all the claims contained in the social media video and therefore urges caution in drawing conclusions beyond what can be established.

Nevertheless, the video has generated significant public interest because of the allegation that religious attire associated with Muslim women was allegedly used as a disguise during a suspected theft incident.

The development also underscores the dangers of using religious identity or appearance to conceal criminal conduct, as such actions can have consequences far beyond the individual involved and potentially fuel unnecessary tension between religious communities.

Newstrends.ng will update this report if the Ekiti State Police Command or other credible authorities provide an official account of the incident.

Woman disguises as Muslim woman in Niqab to steal in Ado-Ekiti market, video sparks outrage

FG Moves to Scrap Criminal Penalty for Attempted Suicide

The Federal Government has commenced moves to remove the criminal penalty for attempted suicide in Nigeria, following the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of its position on the decriminalisation of suicide attempts.

The proposed reform represents a major shift in the government’s approach to people who survive suicide attempts, with the focus expected to move from criminal punishment to mental healthcare, psychosocial support, protection and timely intervention.

However, attempted suicide remains a criminal offence under the existing legal framework until the proposed amendments are considered and passed by the National Assembly.

The development was announced in Abuja during an event organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to commemorate the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day, themed “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” with the call to action, “Start the Conversation.”

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, said the FEC approval followed the work of the National Task Force on Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide.

The task force has conducted consultations, policy engagements and advocacy involving government institutions, legal experts, mental health professionals, civil society organisations, development partners and people with lived experience of mental health challenges and suicidal behaviour.

Salako described the proposed decriminalisation of attempted suicide as more than a legal reform, saying it was also a public health and human rights imperative.

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He said people experiencing a mental health crisis should receive care, support and appropriate intervention rather than punishment.

According to the minister, removing the fear of prosecution could encourage people experiencing severe emotional or psychological distress to seek help without worrying that they could be arrested or prosecuted after surviving a suicide attempt.

The minister expressed optimism that the legislative process would be concluded without unnecessary delay once the proposal is transmitted to the National Assembly.

He said the Federal Government was also working to expand access to mental healthcare by integrating mental health services into other parts of the healthcare system, particularly primary healthcare.

As part of the effort, Standard Operating Procedures for integrating mental health services into HIV care are being developed, while the National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme has been directed to prepare a memorandum for consideration by the National Council on Health on integrating mental healthcare into primary healthcare.

The government said taking mental health services closer to communities would help people who have limited access to specialist psychiatric facilities and other dedicated mental health services.

The proposed legal reform is expected to affect provisions of Nigeria’s existing criminal laws that make attempted suicide punishable. Under the current framework, attempted suicide is criminalised under provisions including Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 231 of the Penal Code.

The Federal Government has argued that maintaining criminal sanctions for suicide attempts is inconsistent with the more supportive approach contained in the National Mental Health Act 2021, which recognises the need for protection and treatment for people experiencing mental health challenges.

The move to change the law was preceded by extensive consultations by the National Task Force, which was established to examine the legal, medical, social and human rights implications of criminalising attempted suicide.

The task force has also undertaken stakeholder engagements and advocacy involving health professionals, lawmakers, legal practitioners, civil society groups and other relevant organisations as part of efforts to build support for the proposed reform.

However, stakeholders at the Abuja event warned that decriminalising attempted suicide would not by itself solve Nigeria’s suicide crisis.

A representative of the Nigeria Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group, Prof. Taiwo Lateef Sheik, said criminalisation was only one aspect of the problem and called for a comprehensive national suicide-prevention strategy.

He advocated improved collection and reporting of suicide and suicidal behaviour data, crisis intervention services, dedicated funding for suicide prevention, specialised training for healthcare workers and first responders, and full implementation of the National Mental Health Act 2021.

Sheik said Nigeria had set a target of reducing suicide deaths and attempts by 50 per cent by 2030, stressing that legal reform alone could not achieve the objective.

The group also called for stronger emergency response mechanisms capable of providing immediate support to people experiencing suicidal crises.

President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, Dr Veronica Oluyemisi Nyamali, raised concerns about the country’s mental health workforce, saying the number of available professionals remains inadequate.

She noted that the sector was being affected by the migration of healthcare professionals, while some medical residents were also abandoning psychiatric training.

Nyamali said removing the criminal penalty could make it easier for people experiencing psychological distress to seek help, but stressed that decriminalisation must be accompanied by adequate mental health services.

She said people who reach out for assistance must be able to access qualified professionals, appropriate treatment and follow-up support.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also called for greater attention to people affected by conflict and violence, who often face additional barriers to accessing mental healthcare.

An ICRC official, Juan Carlos, noted that insecurity, distance and the cost of treatment could prevent vulnerable people from obtaining the support they need.

Civil society organisations similarly urged the government to look beyond medical treatment and address the social and economic factors that can contribute to suicidal behaviour.

Speaking on behalf of people living with HIV in Nigeria, Isah Takuma called for mental healthcare to become an integral part of HIV services rather than an optional or secondary intervention.

He urged the government to strengthen the integration of mental health support into HIV programmes as part of its wider healthcare reform agenda.

The Federal Ministry of Health said Nigeria’s suicide-prevention efforts were anchored on the National Mental Health Act 2021, the National Mental Health Policy 2023 and the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework 2023–2030.

The ministry has also stressed the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations about mental health and suicide.

According to the ministry, figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that Nigeria records more than 7,000 suicide deaths and about 300,000 suicide attempts annually, highlighting the scale of the country’s mental health and suicide-prevention challenge.

The government has consequently called for greater cooperation among healthcare professionals, civil society organisations, faith and traditional leaders, the media, academia, youth organisations and other stakeholders.

The 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day campaign seeks to change public attitudes towards suicide by replacing stigma, fear and misinformation with compassion, understanding and timely support.

The proposed reform is therefore intended not only to change the legal status of attempted suicide but also to encourage people experiencing emotional or psychological distress to seek help earlier.

Until the National Assembly considers and passes the proposed amendments and they become law, however, the existing criminal provisions remain in force.

The Federal Government’s stated objective is to create a system in which people experiencing mental health crises are treated primarily as individuals requiring care, protection and support, while strengthening the country’s wider suicide prevention and mental healthcare system.

FG Moves to Scrap Criminal Penalty for Attempted Suicide

Lagos Woman Jailed for Dumping Refuse in Drain During Rainfall

LAGOS — A 53-year-old resident of Meiran in Lagos State, Nelly Monday, has been sentenced to one month in prison for dumping refuse into a drainage channel during rainfall.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) said Monday was arrested on September 9 after she was allegedly caught disposing of waste into a drainage channel while it was raining.

She was subsequently arraigned before the Magistrate Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, where she pleaded guilty to the environmental offence.

Following her guilty plea, the court sentenced her to one month in prison.

The conviction is part of the ongoing enforcement by LAWMA and other relevant authorities against indiscriminate waste disposal across Lagos, particularly the practice of dumping refuse in drainage channels and other unauthorised locations.

The authorities have repeatedly warned that improper disposal of waste can obstruct waterways and drainage infrastructure, with potentially serious consequences during periods of heavy rainfall.

Blocked drains can prevent the free flow of stormwater and increase the risk of flooding, particularly in densely populated parts of Lagos where drainage systems come under pressure during the rainy season.

LAWMA has therefore urged residents to dispose of household and other waste through approved channels and avoid using drains, roadsides, medians and other unauthorised areas as dumping grounds.

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“Residents are urged to dispose of their waste responsibly and through approved channels,” the agency said in a statement.

The authority added that it would continue to work with relevant enforcement agencies to identify and sanction people who violate environmental laws in Lagos.

The latest prosecution also highlights the government’s increasingly strict approach to illegal waste disposal, as Lagos continues efforts to improve sanitation and reduce the environmental problems associated with indiscriminate dumping.

LAWMA has consistently encouraged residents to patronise approved waste collection services and ensure that refuse is properly contained and handed over to authorised waste collectors.

The agency has also warned residents against disposing of waste in drainage channels, stressing the importance of keeping waterways and other drainage infrastructure free from refuse.

Monday’s case is not the first time that people have been sentenced to prison in Lagos over illegal waste disposal.

More than a year earlier, six people were sentenced to one month in prison after they were arrested for allegedly dumping refuse at unauthorised locations in the state.

According to LAWMA, its enforcement team apprehended two of the offenders in Egbeda for allegedly dumping refuse on a road median, while four others were arrested in Dopemu for similar environmental offences.

The six offenders, aged between 25 and 40, were arraigned before the Bolade Magistrate Court in Oshodi, where they pleaded guilty and were subsequently sentenced to one month in prison.

The repeated prosecutions demonstrate that indiscriminate waste disposal can attract criminal sanctions in Lagos and that enforcement agencies are continuing to pursue offenders.

For residents, the authorities’ latest warning is particularly relevant during the rainy season, when waste dumped in drains can be washed further into waterways, potentially obstructing the movement of stormwater.

LAWMA has consequently urged members of the public to play their part in keeping the environment clean by using approved waste disposal channels and reporting illegal dumping where necessary.

The authority said its enforcement operations would continue across the state as part of efforts to tackle illegal waste disposal, protect drainage infrastructure and promote a cleaner and healthier Lagos environment.

Lagos Woman Jailed for Dumping Refuse in Drain During Rainfall