Check Yourself: Are You Numb to Slaughter?

Really, have we become numb to slaughter? Perhaps we are.  I am reminded the other day when I was to take a public bus in Lagos capital, no sooner than I entered to take a seat that a situation happened before the eyes of every one I met in the bus and passersby. There was an argument between (from my point of view) a 30 year old man and 11 year old boy, right in the middle of street. As we waited in turn for the bus to embark on its journey, the argument took a different twist, as the man kept on hitting the boy in the face and as he did I felt the pain right where I was seated. After handing the boy the forth slap, I could bare it no longer, I launched out of the bus with all my might and gusto; ready for a fight in defense of the boy.  When the “oppressor” saw me, I served him a warning: “if you dare hit that boy again you will have me to face!” He heard me, and immediately withdrew, relaxing is grip and hold on the little boy. Perhaps I saved the boys life, perhaps not. But I was able to stand against an oppressor, simply by acting on guts without the support of any other.

The point here is this, the people that walked by did nothing, the people in the bus where all looking, despite the fact that, all that it takes is for them to add their voice against a tyrant and oppression that’s taking place right before their own eyes. And such is the situation in Aluu, Port-Harcourt, where people who against the mob action fail to act quickly and decisively, (for there will be a at least one person who is against the murderous intent). Rather, they got lost in the crowd watching from the sidelines thereby aiding the gruesome murder of four (4) undergraduates of ages between 20 and 25 years old, on the allegation of a “petty” phone and laptop theft.

I do not know the magnitude of my action for that little boy, but I kept further oppression from been unleashed on him. As that moment had no power to defend himself.  Therefore fellows, don’t just stand there looking like a dunce or moron, or using your phones to take pictures of the scene, that tends to get ugly - Act quickly with boldness and courage to arrest the situation as best you can. Of all the times I have the opportunity to stand and be the voice for someone else, I realize the “oppressor” is weak, and his strength is in numbers; but he (they) cannot stand up to someone who stands against them with all boldness and courage.