Act of honesty draws praise as wholesaler recounts relief after recovering lost cash
A small-scale trader in Jos has been praised for her integrity after returning ₦1 million that was mistakenly included in goods she purchased from a wholesaler.
Mrs Sarah Luka, who runs a modest business in the Lamingo area of the city, had visited Terminus Market on Saturday to buy leather bags worth ₦6,000 from a trader, Mr Abubakar Dola.
Unknown to both parties at the time, a polythene bag containing ₦1 million—set aside by Mr Dola to be sent to a POS operator—was inadvertently packed along with the items.
It was not until three days later, on Monday, that Mrs Luka returned to the market and handed over the full amount, bringing an unexpected end to what could have been a significant loss.
Speaking in an interview, Mrs Luka said her decision was guided by conscience and faith. She described the money as clearly not hers and said keeping it would have weighed heavily on her.
“I am a poor businesswoman. I know what it means to suffer loss,” she said. “If I put that kind of money that is not mine into my business, I believe God would punish me.”
Asked what motivated her action, she added simply: “Because the money is a mistake and not mine.”
Mr Dola, visibly relieved, said he had all but given up hope of recovering the cash, having been unable to determine how it went missing.
“I had completely given up because I didn’t know how the money got lost. I didn’t even think I put the money in someone’s goods,” he said.
Expressing gratitude, he offered prayers for Mrs Luka, describing her as a rare example of honesty.
“I pray Allah rewards her with more than what she did for me. I pray Allah gives us more people of her kind who fear God. It’s not easy to have people of her character,” he added.
The incident has since drawn admiration locally, with many pointing to it as a reminder of everyday acts of integrity in challenging economic times.
