A Wednesday in Nigeria!

I’m done with these drivers! Those were my thoughts as I was on my way to collect a package from a driver at agreed station. Of course, I was supposed to have collected the package from the driver since the previous day but due to the man’s dishonest attitude and not keeping to promise, I couldn’t. I had called him thrice on the supposed delivery day, the first time I called; I prayed for him for safe journey. The second time was 6hrs after and we almost got into an argument. He said; Why am I disturbing him? What’s my problem? I was totally suprised, I told him I just called to check on you, to ask of your current location. “Don’t disturb me, I’m still on my way,” he said.

The third time; It was evening, God, since morning. “This journey shouldn’t have been more than 6hours, probably he had issues on his way,” I murmured. I decided to call him to inform him I might not be able to collect the package again that evening. He picked the call and started shouting; What is all this nonsense? Why have I been calling him every single hours? “Of course, I didn’t,” I said. I was trying to explain to him that other people that are expecting their packages would have been calling him too but he just wouldn’t listen, he kept shouting I should not get him angry.

“Why are you talking to me as if you’re doing me a favor?” I asked. Are you bringing it for free? Didn’t you collect your desired amount? You don’t get to talk to me like that!. He was silent and suddenly he said; come to the park station tomorrow morning to collect your package. I said OK and hung up.

I was in a bus on my way to the station when I saw a naked man surrounded by angry mobs. Some were throwing abuses at him, some were recording the scene, ready to feed their feeds on the media where decorum has no place. He had been beaten so much. His cry was loud but all ears were deaf to it. I came down from the bus as buses couldn’t go further again and the station is just two minutes walk.

The naked man was tied down like a bush meat, it was obvious that he wouldn’t escape.

On the other side, I saw a fat, huge man. His stomach is like that of five months pregnant lady. He had handkerchief on his neck, the upper button of his shirt were left opened, of course, I could see he was wearing a gold necklace. Of the taut, he must be. He was carrying a tire in his hand going towards the tied naked man.

Bring petrol! Pour it on him!

He put the tire on the naked man, some of the mobs gathered closer and poured petrol on him. As one guy was about to light the match, his hands were shaking. The fat man collected it from him and struck the match and set him on fire. We have two people now; a murderer and a thief.

I was watching them from a very far place, I silently asked the woman beside me shouting; that serves him right! “What did he do?” I asked. Why didn’t they take him to police? “He stole sweet potatoes,” the woman said. Excuse me? I asked in disbelief. He stole sweet potatoes, the woman repeated!

This is criminal act. The constitution provides for the right to life and it is declared that nobody’s life should be taken.

In the wake of any security threats, the least chance people get, people prefer to harm the suspected person or people without due recourse for states security operaives to take charge.

In Nigeria, events of jungle justice have shown that the police institution and the legal systems do not enjoy legitimacy from the masses.

But the question that were begging for answers in my head were; why do people engage in mob action and go Scot-free? Why has it become a preferable option among Nigerians? What are the government security agencies and judiciary doing to halt it?

The poor man was relentless; helplessly fighting adhesive flames which was wearing out his skin and tear out his life. With the sweet potatoes burning beside him.

Where were you all when snakes swallowed huge millions in your leader’s office? Why don’t you all go and show your angers to the terrorist that are bombing innocent people? Where were your senses of justice when injustice were being pass to some people? Of course, those were just thoughts in my head….. I left the scene to the park station.

I was so angry, but it wasn’t really consuming. When I got to the station, I called the driver “TEN TIMES” before he picked. He said; I should wait for him, then I asked; why didn’t you pick the phone calls before? He started shouting, he’s busy. I felt stupid! I mean I’m here at the agreed station at the agreed time, what else does he want? I asked myself. I sat down for thirty minutes before calling him again; “I’m on my way, I’m on my way,” he repeated. I sighted a bus and I knew he was the one.

He was looking for a place to park, he drove passed me in which we exchanged looks. He looked at me with a really bad eyes. Now, the anger consumed me. “This man is done for!” I said.

When I got to him, I said; why were you shouting at me on phone? My words came back at me, bouncing off the car metals, and right back to my face. Why were you shouting at me on phone? I asked again. The first sentence that came out of his mouth was as if he had swallowed microphone. It was so loud, it dominated the area. As angry as I was, I almost bursted into laughter, I mean I’m right here. I collected the package and left!

Why are people angry unnecessarily?

It’s very natural to get upset when angry people confront you, regardless of whether their anger is justified or not. Do your best to respond calmly and intelligently when you face angry people.