A young Nigerian woman providing home services has shared a harrowing experience online after she became trapped inside a client's malfunctioning elevator in Lagos. The incident, which lasted for approximately 50 minutes, was documented in a now-viral TikTok video that has sparked widespread sympathy and concern.
A Frightening Ordeal in a Lagos Apartment
The lady, who goes by the TikTok handle @braids.by.natasha, was visiting a client's residence for a job when she decided to use the building's elevator. In the emotional video posted on December 22, 2025, she is seen inside the confined space with her work bags, visibly distressed. She revealed that she had been stuck for about 30 minutes at the time of recording, with no immediate help in sight despite repeatedly ringing the emergency bell.
Expressing deep regret, she lamented her decision not to take the stairs. "Lagos and their wahala. I came for home service, see my bag, and I have been stuck inside this elevator for about 30 minutes now," she said in the clip. "I am ringing and ringing, nobody is coming to my aid. I think I am scared. I have been here for so long, my legs are hurting, and there is no camera to show that I need help."
Safety Concerns and Lack of Emergency Response
A critical point raised by the trapped worker was the apparent lack of basic safety features within the elevator. She pointed out the absence of a CCTV camera that could have alerted building residents or security personnel to her predicament. This absence significantly delayed her rescue, as she relied solely on an emergency alarm that seemingly went unanswered.
In a follow-up comment, she added further context about the communication challenges, stating, "The network usually cuts off so there’s no way to call anyone except you ring their emergency line." She eventually spent a total of 50 minutes trapped before being discovered and freed, as noted in her video description which read: "I STAYED THERE FOR 20 more minutes before they noticed and came to my aid, I’m never using an elevator. Thank God I’m not ashamtic [claustrophobic]."
Public Reaction and Shared Experiences
The viral video prompted a flood of reactions from Nigerians who shared their own fears and similar experiences. User @Dynamicgirl commented, "This is why I’m not quick to use elevator o," reflecting a common apprehension. Another user, @Braider in ilasamaja/mushin, expressed disbelief at her patience: "30min? Omo I can’t wait for 5min i go don Dey cry, call my papa call my sister."
Some responses highlighted that such incidents are not isolated. User @Mideyyy shared a particularly traumatic parallel: "Happened to me at a hospital I just gave birth and my baby was in the ward." The incident underscores recurring concerns about elevator maintenance and safety standards in some residential and commercial buildings in Nigerian cities.
This event echoes a previous report by Legit.ng, where another Nigerian lady recounted being stuck inside a faulty elevator for several hours, unaware of its condition before entering. The latest incident involving the home service worker has reignited discussions on the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and regular maintenance checks for elevators, especially in multi-story apartments frequently visited by service providers and residents alike.
