Faiza Abdulkadir, a dedicated cleaner in Maiduguri, Borno State, has garnered widespread acclaim for an extraordinary act of honesty: returning ₦4.8 million that was mistakenly deposited into her bank account. This remarkable display of integrity is particularly noteworthy given her modest monthly salary of just ₦30,000, which she earns working at a health centre, identified by some reports as the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Speaking to journalists, Faiza, a single mother of five, explained that her decision to return the substantial sum was rooted in her deep-seated fear of God and a profound desire for peace of mind. “The money was not mine. I wanted peace of mind and to avoid God’s punishment on the Day of Judgement,” she articulated, further emphasizing, “The money does not belong to me. I returned it to have a peace of mind, and avoid God’s punishment on the day of judgement.”

The process of returning the money was not instantaneous, taking Faiza a challenging three days to complete all the necessary bank procedures. She described the emotional and physical toll this period took on her, revealing her profound restlessness. “I could not rest or eat properly during those days until I returned it,” she confessed, adding, “I was restless throughout these three days. In fact, I couldn’t eat well throughout the process, until the day I finally transferred the money to the owner.”

Faiza’s principled action has been met with universal praise from both bank officials and her community. Neighbors describe her as a woman of exceptional discipline and strong values, living a modest life while diligently raising her five children. One bank staff member particularly highlighted the rarity of such integrity, recalling past incidents where customers had withdrawn and spent mistakenly deposited funds, leading to severe problems and legal complications for bank employees. “Despite her condition, this woman chooses to fear God and do the right thing," a bank official commented, noting that her exceptional qualities had surprised many within the institution. Faiza Abdulkadir’s unwavering moral compass, despite her personal financial circumstances, stands as a powerful and inspiring example of integrity, widely celebrated across Maiduguri.