Mrs. Malgwi-Dagala reportedly visited the retail store located at 786 Tafawa Balewa Road, Central Business District, Abuja, on Friday, December 5, 2025, alongside her children aged 1, 4, and 12, and a friend, Ms. Chioma Emmanuella Chukwu, to purchase baby items on the third floor of the premises.
A pregnant woman, Mrs. Sandra Malgwi-Dagala, who was trapped inside a faulty elevator at Sahad Stores with her three children for about 20 minutes, has called on the management of the supermarket to tender an apology and pay compensation or face legal action.
Mrs. Malgwi-Dagala reportedly visited the retail store located at 786 Tafawa Balewa Road, Central Business District, Abuja, on Friday, December 5, 2025, alongside her children aged 1, 4, and 12, and a friend, Ms. Chioma Emmanuella Chukwu, to purchase baby items on the third floor of the premises.
In a letter dated December 19, 2025, addressed to the Managing Director of Sahad Stores and signed by Otomfon Archibong, Esq., of Messrs Rickey Tarfa & Co., the incident was described as a grave breach of safety and duty of care.
The law firm stated that Sahad Stores failed in its duty to ensure customer safety, maintain functional emergency systems, and provide timely assistance during a critical situation.
Mrs. Malgwi-Dagala is demanding compensation for the distress suffered by herself, her children, and her friend; a formal written apology; and assurances that adequate measures have been taken to prevent a recurrence.
Her lawyers warned that failure to meet these demands within 21 days of receipt of the letter would compel their client to escalate the matter to regulatory bodies, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and to pursue legal action in court.
According to the letter issued by her legal representatives, the family boarded the elevator from the ground floor at about 4:30 p.m. when the lift suddenly malfunctioned and came to an abrupt stop shortly after ascending, allegedly due to a power outage.
The letter stated that efforts to activate the elevator’s emergency response system proved futile, as the system was reportedly unresponsive. The occupants then dialed an emergency phone number displayed inside the elevator and were allegedly assured by a female staff member that help would arrive promptly.
Despite repeated calls and assurances, no rescue team reportedly came to their aid. The situation, according to the lawyers, worsened as Mrs. Malgwi-Dagala who is said to be asthmatic and heavily pregnant began sweating profusely, while her children became increasingly distressed, with the one-year-old crying continuously.
Her companion, who is reportedly claustrophobic, also experienced severe anxiety.
After several unsuccessful attempts to reach the emergency contact and fearing for their safety, the trapped occupants allegedly recorded a video of their ordeal. With no assistance forthcoming, they reportedly forced the elevator doors open themselves and discovered that the lift had stopped level with the third floor, enabling them to escape.
The lawyers further alleged that upon exiting the elevator, the victims approached a security officer on the third floor to report the incident but were met with a dismissive response and advised to leave the premises without escalating the matter.
It was only after they had exited the store and driven out of the premises, the letter claimed, that Mrs. Malgwi-Dagala received a return call from the emergency contact she had repeatedly dialed while trapped.
Describing the incident as “gross negligence,” the law firm stated that Sahad Stores failed in its duty to ensure customer safety, maintain functional emergency systems, and provide timely assistance during a critical situation.
The letter further stated: “Even more troubling is the fact that after our client and her company managed to exit the elevator, no proper apology was offered, nor was any explanation given for the failure of your emergency response system.
“The above acts and omissions amount to gross negligence, a breach of your duty of care to customers, and a failure to ensure the safety of persons lawfully on your premises.”
“In view of the foregoing, our client demands the following:
– Compensation for the distress occasioned to her, her children, and her friend by virtue of the malfunction of your elevator;
– A formal written apology addressed to our client;
– Confirmation of the measures taken to ensure proper functionality and maintenance of your elevators and effective emergency response to similar situations going forward.
“TAKE NOTICE that failure to accede to our client’s demands within 21 (twenty-one) days of receipt of this letter will leave our client with no other option than to escalate the matter to appropriate regulatory authorities, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and to explore all legal remedies available in a court of competent jurisdiction.
“Whilst we anticipate a positive response to our client’s demands, please accept the assurances of our highest professional regards.”
As of press time, Sahad Stores Ltd has not issued an official response to the allegations.