Lagos — A dramatic video showing Mrs. Favour Igiebor tearing her husband’s Standard Passport at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) has sparked intense debate online, with many questioning the authenticity of the incident and speculating whether it was a publicity stunt.
The video, which rapidly gained traction on social media, depicts Mrs. Igiebor tearing her husband’s passport and scattering the pieces on the airport floor. When confronted by an official, she defiantly responded in Pidgin English, “I tore it. Is it yours?” The video concludes with Mrs. Igiebor walking away with her children, while her husband stands behind with a baby in a stroller. The scene has elicited a flood of reactions, with many now doubting whether it was a genuine dispute or a staged event.
Both Mrs. Igiebor and her husband have addressed the incident in separate social media videos, but their explanations have only added to the confusion. Mrs. Igiebor released a video defending her actions and criticizing bloggers like Tunde Ednut and Instablog for their hasty conclusions. “I’m not a mad woman who would just come and act like that,” she said. “I have my reasons. I’ve gone through so many things. So many of you are just commenting on the video; friends and people who I haven’t spoken with for years are now calling me. I am not like that.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Igiebor, in his response, seemed to focus more on promoting their social media page than clarifying the incident. He claimed that his wife had unauthorized access to his social media account and posted a video earlier that day. “My wife posted something; I know she has gone far because she is very smart,” he said. He urged viewers to watch the full video for more context, adding that the matter could be resolved privately but his wife appeared intent on escalating it. “This is something that we can solve as a family, but she is trying to push it up. No problem, I’m following her, and I will tackle it, and she will get tired,” he concluded.
Social media users have expressed skepticism about the authenticity of the incident. Many speculate that the couple might be engaging in a publicity stunt given their background as content creators. User @princeencore suggested, “I believe that passport is an old passport; they have done the renewal. These are just content. Content is the new oil. They are mining.” Similarly, @UgoOnyinye remarked, “I can now conclude that this is a clout-chasing, click-baiting venture. Madam did over 12 mins video and said absolutely nothing, now oga did his own, said nothing other than pointing to their YouTube channel. If this was really serious, we would know by now.”
User @IamOge_Fay also noted, “After watching the videos, both the one from the wife and the one from the husband, I can only say that they are drawing attention to their page. See their luggage naa, this is a case of relocation from abroad. They want to start their own family content with gbasgbos 😂.”
In response to the controversy, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched a formal investigation into the incident. The NIS confirmed that Mrs. Igiebor has been identified and invited for questioning. “If the allegations are substantiated, her actions would have constituted a breach of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015 (as amended), with corresponding penalties outlined under Section 10(h) of the same Act,” stated the NIS.
As the investigation unfolds, the incident continues to generate debate and intrigue, leaving many to question whether it was a genuine dispute or a carefully crafted publicity stunt.