- Safiu Kehinde
An Ilorin-based shopping mall, Emirate Mall, has come under fire after staff allegedly denying man entry over his daughter’s disability.
As captured in a now viral video shared on X on Tuesday, the man identified as yet-to-be identified man could be seen challenging the staff of the mall with the child who appeared to be suffering from growth deficiency.
“This is a supermarket. She is also a child like every other children here. And those children are not crying because they welcome her. Now the staff are walking us out because of my baby.” The enraged father said.
Recounting his ordeal in a TikTok post, the man alleged that he was bounced out alongside his baby by the mall security officials.
He however disclosed that they were allowed in following the Chief Security Officer’s (CSO) intervention.
“When we got to this place, the security bounced us out because of my baby. It was very painful. But the CSO later intervened and took us back inside.
“It’s so sad and bad. We are all human beings. Let’s stop this kind of things. She’s also a human being. She deserves to be loved as well.
“Thanks to the the Chief Security Officer. If not, all those security officials are daft.” He said.
Confirming the incident to NPO Reports correspondent, an official the mall who pleaded anonymity claimed the mall had on account of the huge crowd placed a limit on the number of times a customer can enter into the mall.
According to the official who spoke to NPO Reports in Yoruba, the man had made attempt to enter again after exceeding the limit which led to the security operatives denying him access.
“You know this is festive season. The mall was heavily filed up to a point some glasses were broken. Customers were instructed to queue so they can entre in batches.
“Though I wasn’t around when the incident occured, I saw the video this morning.
“I learnt the man was allowed in at first to his shopping which did and left. He however made another attempt to enter again and that was when he was denied entry.
“The crowd was too much and there were even complaints from the customers.” He said.
However, the incident had sparked outrage among netizens who condemned the officials while demanding legal action against the mall.
“Sue them for discrimination and human right violation … they are a supermarket they will pay with all their profit.”@Manny_147
“No parent should ever be shamed or turned away because of their child’s condition. Compassion must come before appearances! especially in public spaces. This speaks volumes about how far we still have to go as a society. 💔”@ipreferjesse
“This is heartbreaking 💔 No parent deserves to go through this humiliation and inhumane treatment 😢”@Daniel Egwu
“The staff deserved to be fired. The way we treat people with special needs in this side of the country is Horrible. 😔”@FolajeuwoNelson
“Discrimination is bad. But let’s be kind to what ever God has given to us,the Man knows the condition of that child, bringing her to public space will cause shaming,so why not leave her at home with a nanny, Nigerians just know how to seek pity card with any condition.”@Bossconquer119
“This is grossly unacceptable. Emirate Mall should be cancelled.”@IconicLawyer
“This is painful. No body wishes to have a special needs child and when it happens the parents have no options but taking care of their baby. This eatery has to be sanctioned.”@emma_ogoh.
“This is discrimination and he can sue them for assault too, if he wishes to take it up. Nigerian have a long way to go concerning people and rights sha💔”@Oba_Alexander,