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

Alebiosu Mercy

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.

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.