THE DAY PELUMI DIED

"The shouts of "Thief! Thief!" filled the air. The man being chased ran past a young man who was unaware of what was happening. He was just heading home from an errand, with a half bag of rice on his shoulder and a jar of oil in his hands.

Without warning, the crowd rushed at him, leaving no room for explanation. The actual thief ran away, but the innocent young man was mistaken for him and attacked. Blows rained down on him, and cutlasses cut him deeper. He opened his mouth to cry out, but another blow landed on his head. He sprawled on the ground, half dead.

The bag of rice and the jar of oil burst, mixing with his blood, creating a terrifying scene. The crowd fetched a nearby tire and set him on fire within seconds. Before five minutes had passed, some young guys arrived, dragging the real thief with them, only to find an innocent young man already ablaze. They tried to quench the flames and dragged him out of the fire, but the stench of roasted flesh filled the air.

Pelumi died that day. The thief was taken away by the police, while Pelumi's corpse was left at the scene.

His mother arrived, looked at her son, and shouted, "Oja, fire of the water serpent, let the blood of my son forever litter your river until you avenge him!"

I walked home shakily, realizing I could have been killed too. Pelumi was my friend before death took him. I was actually on my way to meet him, just few steps close to him and death embraced him.

That is how lawless our society Nigeria has become."

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