In a heartwarming display of integrity that has captivated social media and earned widespread commendation, a commercial tricycle (keke) rider in Aba, Abia State, identified as Lucky Okoro, has returned a staggering N4 million cash forgotten by a passenger in his vehicle. His remarkable act of honesty, detailed in a Thursday Facebook post, has cast a spotlight on the often-overlooked virtues of ordinary citizens.
Okoro recounted that the incident began when a Cameroonian woman boarded his keke from Aba Main Park en route to Ariaria Market. Unbeknownst to her, she left behind a bag containing the substantial sum. Upon discovering the forgotten bag, Okoro’s immediate instinct was to locate its rightful owner. He initially returned to the Aba Main Park in search of her but to no avail. Determined, he later managed to trace her to a junction near Ariaria Market, where he found her in profound distress, crying uncontrollably and appearing to be on the verge of despair.
“I called her, wiped all her tears then returned the money to her and took her to a hotel and she paid for it. I told her to stay there so that tomorrow she can continue. She is from Cameroon, she’s not a Nigerian talk less of Aba woman,” Okoro wrote on his Facebook page, detailing the emotional encounter. Viral videos circulating online show the woman, overwhelmed with gratitude, kneeling and praying for Okoro, clutching the bundles of cash, while surrounding bystanders erupted in applause, celebrating the tricycle rider’s rare display of conscientiousness.
Despite being subjected to mockery by some of his colleagues, who derisively called him a “mugu” (a fool) for returning such a significant amount, Okoro remained steadfast and proud of his actions. “Thanks Jehovah, I found her. Some of my fellow Keke people called me mugun but I am not a mugun. I love what I did,” he asserted, also identifying himself as a devout Jehovah’s Witness from Umuomei in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State. He further expressed his gratitude to God for giving him the opportunity to “do the right thing.”
Reactions from Nigerians across social media platforms have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising Okoro’s exemplary honesty and advocating for public recognition of his selfless deed. His actions serve as a powerful counter-narrative to prevailing stereotypes and highlight the profound impact individual integrity can have on a community.
