Sandra, her 3 children, and a companion said they were trapped in Popular Abuja store's elevator for 20 minutes without response from the management....

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A heavily pregnant Abuja resident has commenced legal action against Sahad Stores, one of the Federal Capital Territory’s most popular retail outlets, following a traumatic elevator malfunction that allegedly left her, her three young children and a companion trapped for about 20 minutes without emergency assistance.

The incident, which has raised serious public safety and consumer protection concerns, reportedly occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Sahad Stores’ headquarters on Tafawa Balewa Road in the Central Business District, Abuja.

According to a formal legal demand issued by Messrs Rickey Tarfa & Co., obtained by CBI News on Monday, January 26, 2026, the claimant, Mrs. Sandra Malgwi-Dagala, who is heavily pregnant and asthmatic, was visiting the store with her children aged one, four and twelve, alongside her friend, Chioma Emmanuella Chukwu, to purchase baby items on the third floor.

The letter stated that shortly after boarding the elevator on the ground floor, the lift abruptly stopped mid-journey, due to a power outage. Attempts to activate the elevator’s internal emergency communication system reportedly failed, leaving the occupants confined without ventilation or immediate assistance.

Mrs Malgwi-Dagala’s lawyers said the situation quickly became medically and psychologically dangerous, given her pregnancy, underlying respiratory condition, and the presence of young children. The one-year-old child reportedly cried continuously, while the occupants struggled with heat, panic and breathlessness in the confined space. Her companion was also said to be claustrophobic.

The trapped occupants reportedly contacted an emergency phone number displayed inside the elevator. Although a female staff member allegedly assured them that an emergency response team would be dispatched immediately, no assistance reportedly arrived despite repeated follow-up calls.

Fearing for their safety, Mrs Malgwi-Dagala reportedly recorded a video of the incident. After approximately 20 minutes, she and her companion allegedly forced the elevator doors open manually and discovered that the lift was level with the third floor, enabling them to escape.

Upon exiting the elevator, the lawyers alleged that no emergency personnel or technical staff were present. When Mrs Malgwi-Dagala attempted to lodge a complaint, a security officer on duty allegedly dismissed the incident and advised her to proceed on her way.

The group subsequently left the store using the staircase.

According to the lawyers, it was only after they had exited the premises that the emergency contact earlier called by Mrs Malgwi-Dagala returned her call.

Her legal representatives described the incident as a “gross violation of safety standards” and a clear breach of the duty of care owed by a commercial establishment to its customers, particularly vulnerable persons such as pregnant women and children.

The legal representative said the suit seeks compensation for physical and emotional distress suffered by Mrs Malgwi-Dagala, her children and her friend, a formal written apology from Sahad Stores, and documented assurances that corrective measures have been taken to ensure elevator safety, regular maintenance and effective emergency response systems.

The lawyers warned that failure to address the matter would prompt further action before regulatory authorities, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), alongside the pursuit of full legal remedies in court.

The case has reignited public safety concerns around elevator maintenance, emergency preparedness and regulatory compliance in high-traffic commercial buildings across Nigeria.

As of the time of filing this report, Sahad Stores had not responded publicly to the allegations or the pending legal action.