I Could Have Been Burnt To Death In The Heart of Lagos

The unpleasant news of a child that was burnt to death in Nigeria yesterday took me back to one of my holidays in my fatherland; I guess the trip was in Summer 1990.

Two days after I arrived in Nigeria, I had to go for a meeting somewhere in Lagos, The office was right in the heart of Lagos, I was in the waiting area, a lady came sitting next to me. All of a sudden, she stood up and left her bag (I was not street wise then; today, I would have screamed, 'carry your bag' or I would have left the seat). Actually, I was not paying attention, less than two minutes after, she came back, without looking in her bag, she said to me, "my money is missing in my bag, give it back" something like that as far as I can recur.

It was as if I was hypnotised, normally I would have shouted back at her, also she was an elderly woman, and our culture forbids being rude to elders. I was shut down, could be out of embarrassment or inexperience on situations like that, because, I never knew someone could "create" such a drama, making people believe someone stole what has not been stolen. What was on her mind? I don't know, but for sure, she believed I had some good money on me. 

All of a sudden like a magic, she said, "come outside", and like a fool, I yielded... right in front of the building a crowd gathered, and she was shouting, I tried to explain that, I do not have anything that belongs to anyone in my bag.

The ones I went to meet didn't know I was waiting in the waiting room before I was whisked away to the street by this evil woman. Just Imagine how one can easily get missing without any trace.

But listen to this, if you are good and pure at heart, Mother Nature will guard you and will send that divine help, also, I have my special guardian spirit. All of a sudden a man came from nowhere, started shouting at this EVIL woman. He shouted on her, called her by a religious title, which I decided not to mention because of the sensitivity of this story and religion. He shouted, leave this girl alone, you evil person, we know how you people operate. I believe this man and two others there understand and were sure who this woman was.

This 'angel of mine', said, "go now young lady and I'll be watching you leaving, no one will get close to you". They all kept shouting on this woman as I was leaving; shame wrapped her up, as she was to escaping from the crowd.  My angel tOOK a serious action against this evil woman.

When all this was going all, I was thinking how to reach my dad, so he can deal with this evil woman out, but, remember there was no mobile mobile phone then. But thanks to "my angel" he did well, maybe better than my father would have, because "my angel" knew how the evil woman operates. Also, it was nice there was no mobile phone at the time, if not, one of the spectators might have sent a misleading video on the internet about an innocent person that has never stolen a cent before and will never do, no matter what.

I now know that people do set up scenes that are not real, just to set others up to destroy and steal from them, and might even lead to death.

If it was not for "my angel" I would have been burnt to death in the heart of Lagos, for nothing.

There has been evil in our land for so long, thanks to a few angels like "my angel" that try their best to cleanse the nation and disgrace the wicked ones.

With my experience, I know ii is not all the ones that are called thieves out there really stole, I'm not here ruling out the possibility of real thieves, yes, there are plenty of them... last year I was almost robbed on Lagos-Ibadan Express road. 

I see no reason why anyone should be killed the way they do on the streets of  Nigeria; it is very sad and worrying.

Even to go to Nigeria on holiday, one will be praying steadfastly a few weeks before, because of fear of the unknown. Praying as if you are going to a war front; I'm not the only one, there are thousands more like me, people are terrified most times when travelling back home. Fear when you think of the road, fear when you think of the insecurity, the abuse, safety and so many more issues confronting baby Nigeria. 

Be warned! No matter how connected you are, no matter how well you are known, it could be you. Let's cleanse our dear nation. If not you, think about your family and friends, think about humanity... let's just think, let's think. 

It could be you tomorrow if the land is not cleansed.
Thinking about that awful day, I could have been burnt to death in the heart of Lagos for nothing.