WICKEDNESS! Lady Stripped And Disgraced For Stealing Milk; See What Later Happened To The Owner Of The Pharmacy
A woman in Nigeria was publicly humiliated after being accused of stealing from a pharmacy in Agbor, Delta State. The incident, which took place in April 2020, drew widespread attention after a video surfaced online showing the woman being stripped naked and filmed. She was accused of stealing a tin of milk, and according to initial reports, claimed she did so out of desperation to feed her hungry child, citing the hardship brought on by the COVID- 19 lockdown, which had entered its third week at the time.
The case was first shared by human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu, who is known for advocating for justice and fair treatment. He initially reported that the woman admitted to stealing the milk in order to provide for her child.
The theft occurred at the WWilMark Pharmacy and Stores, a well- known business in Agbor. Despite the woman kneeling down and pleading for mercy, she was forcibly stripped, beaten, and filmed by the store’ s staff. The video was subsequently uploaded to social media, causing outrage among many Nigerians who condemned both the theft and the harsh treatment of the accused woman.
However, further investigation into the incident revealed a more complicated story. Gwamnishu later posted an update on his Facebook page stating that the woman, contrary to her earlier claim, did not have a child. Additionally, it was discovered that this was not her first time engaging in theft, suggesting that she may be a kleptomaniac, a person who has an uncontrollable urge to steal items, often with little value.
The owner of the pharmacy, identified as Mr. Ndobu, was also implicated in the abusive treatment of the woman. According to Gwamnishu’ s follow- up report, Ndobu, who is a prominent figure and a Knight in the Anglican Church, not only instructed his staff to strip the woman but also personally participated in further demeaning actions. He allegedly ordered for her hair to be shaved off before the video was filmed and uploaded to social media.
The video’ s circulation sparked widespread condemnation, particularly over the inhumane treatment of the woman. While many agreed that theft is wrong and should be punished according to the law, the majority argued that stripping someone naked, beating them, and exposing them online was not an acceptable form of punishment.
Harrison Gwamnishu, who runs the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, strongly condemned the actions of Ndobu and his staff, emphasizing that no individual, regardless of the crime they may have committed, should be subjected to such inhumane treatment.
In response to the public outcry, Gwamnishu and his organization worked with the Nigerian police to ensure that justice was served. Mr. Ndobu was arrested and detained at the Owa Oyibu Divisional Police Station, thanks to the efforts of the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation and the Nigeria Police Area Command in Agbor. The arrest was seen as a significant step toward ensuring that vigilante justice and abuse of power do not go unpunished.
Gwamnishu reiterated in his post that while his organization does not condone theft in any form, they remain staunchly opposed to acts of brutality and public humiliation. He reminded the public that every citizen, regardless of their offense, deserves to be treated with dignity and that the law should be allowed to take its course. He also pointed out that while the woman had committed a crime, it was up to the justice system, not private citizens, to determine her punishment.
The case has highlighted the broader issue of how crimes, especially petty ones, are handled in Nigeria. It has also drawn attention to the psychological factors that may contribute to repeated thefts, such as kleptomania, and the need for greater awareness and mental health support. Moreover, the incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of taking the law into one’ s own hands, particularly in a digital age where actions such as filming and posting videos of suspects can lead to lifelong shame and irreversible damage to an individual’ s reputation.
As of now, the woman involved in the case has not been identified by name, and Gwamnishu has clarified that no donations are being solicited on her behalf. However, he did mention that they have reached out to various organizations that may be able to offer her the help and support she needs moving forward.
In conclusion, while the theft was wrong, the way the case was handled by the pharmacy staff was widely condemned as excessive and unlawful. The arrest of the pharmacy owner is a clear message that no one is above the law, and it underscores the importance of treating everyone with dignity, regardless of their crimes.
