Residents and social media users were left stunned after a young woman reportedly arrived at Panti Police Station, Yaba, Lagos, to file a “case against the sun.”

According to eyewitnesses, she took an Uber from Lekki to the station, refused to pay the ₦15,000 fare due to the scorching weather, and insisted the heat was unbearable. A sympathetic officer eventually settled the bill and urged her to return home.

However, the woman later returned to the station with her belongings, demanding to rent an apartment within the police premises to “escape the heat.”

Despite several attempts by officers to remove her, she refused to leave and allegedly spent the night outside the station, drawing a small crowd of onlookers.

Viral reactions online

The incident quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter). Many users expressed concern over her mental state, while others used humour to highlight the growing discomfort caused by Nigeria’s rising temperatures.

“She just voiced what everyone has been feeling,” one user wrote, while another joked, “Even the sun needs to be arrested.”

Some commentators criticised the situation as a reflection of the country’s harsh living conditions and lack of proper mental health support systems.

“This isn’t funny. It shows how bad things have become. People are breaking down silently,” one post read.

Government responds to viral incident

Following the viral reports, the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development confirmed that it had dispatched a rescue team to assess the woman’s situation and provide necessary assistance.

Officials noted that the case underscores the urgent need to address mental health awareness and environmental stress in urban communities.

The ministry also urged the public to show compassion rather than ridicule in such instances, stressing that early intervention could prevent more serious outcomes.