A video has gone viral on social media showing the moment an Abuja-based fashion designer confronted a trader at Garki International Market over allegedly inappropriate $3xual comments about a minor.

The fashion designer, identified as ElPraise, shared an account of the incident on Instagram, saying it occurred at the Obasanjo Block of the market while he was shopping for fabrics.

According to ElPraise, he overheard an older trader allegedly making $3xual remarks about a girl he estimated to be between seven and 10 years old.

The child was reportedly operating a Point of Sale (POS) business in the market area and was holding a blue Moniepoint POS machine while assisting her mother or guardian.

Designer intervenes after hearing remarks

ElPraise said he immediately intervened after hearing the alleged comments and challenged the trader.

Giving his account of the incident, he wrote:

“I wasn’t planning to make this video, but since the video of what happened has gone viral, I feel I should tell my own side of the story.”

He explained that the incident happened last Saturday after choir rehearsal, when he went to Garki International Market to purchase fabric for a client’s suit.

According to him, he was walking through the corridor in Obasanjo Block when he heard the older man allegedly making $3xual comments about the girl.

He recounted an exchange between the trader and another woman who had reportedly pointed out that the girl was a child.

“A woman nearby said, ‘This one na small pikin na.’”

“The man carrying the red jerrycan replied, ‘Who tell you say na small pikin? If you carry am enter inside room now, she go break your waist.’”

ElPraise said he could not ignore what he had heard and turned around to confront the man.

“At that point, I couldn’t keep walking.”

He said he told the trader:

“Sir, with all due respect, this thing you just said is very stupid. You shouldn’t say that to a child because she’s a minor.”

‘She’s a CHILD!’

According to ElPraise, the trader allegedly attempted to defend his comments rather than acknowledge that they were inappropriate.

He also claimed that other men at the scene supported the trader, with one allegedly commenting on the girl’s clothing and questioning why she was wearing a “show me your back” dress.

ElPraise expressed outrage over the comments, repeatedly stressing that the girl was a child.

“She’s a CHILD!”

He questioned why adults would view a child through a $3xual lens and said another man at the scene reportedly told him that the matter was none of his business.

Designer says he did not intervene for attention

ElPraise said he was unaware that someone was recording the confrontation and did not expect the video to be shared widely on social media.

He maintained that he intervened because he felt compelled to speak up after hearing the alleged remarks.

“I stood up because I’m human, but beyond that, I’m a Christian. The life of God in me trumps my humanity. I couldn’t hear that and walk away.”

He concluded by explaining why he chose to speak out:

“This isn’t about me being a ‘good man.’”

“It’s about refusing to normalize the $3xu@lization of children”

The video has sparked discussion online about the protection of children and the responsibility of adults to challenge inappropriate behaviour involving minors.