Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has condemned the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) after a mother claimed she is facing threats to her life and the arrest of people close to her, following a viral video questioning the content of a children’s book.
"It is embarrassing that the Nigeria Police Force has refused to disengage from cases like this. Mrs Mary Queen is the latest victim of the preposterous weaponisation of the police by business owners against consumers.
"She is presently being haunted for publicly reviewing a controversial nursery school English textbook, which she bought for her five-year-old child.
"I have read the passages from the textbook she referenced, I also find them worrisome. Appropriate measures will be taken,” he said.
The mother, who shared her observation online, said she discovered a disturbing passage in her child’s book describing an old man punishing a dog by burning its nose with a hot iron.
She explained that her intention was simply to ask whether such material was appropriate for children.
READ ALSO: BBNaija Winner Phyna Says She Prefers Raising Pets to Having Children
However, she alleged that after the video went viral, she began receiving calls urging her to delete the post, including from someone claiming to be a lawyer.
Despite complying, she said threats escalated, with police allegedly detaining individuals close to her.
"Everybody that has been calling me, they've been contacting them. My family are in danger. They've even picked some people that are close to me. Police people have picked them up, arrested them," she claimed.
The woman also criticised her child’s school for failing to address her reaction, arguing that the content could negatively influence young children.
She said she had been invited by authorities but feared the invitation was a prelude to arrest, citing her lack of funds for legal representation.
"I don't get money for lawyers… I don't even have up to N100,000 in my account," she said.
Queen added that she has gone into hiding, alleging that her relatives, including her mother and sister, have been contacted in connection with the matter.
According to her, at several points, she made emotional appeals for help from lawyers and fellow parents, insisting her actions were motivated solely by concern for children.