ABOUT THE OTHER NIGHT

There we sat outside the hostel, patiently awaiting the arrival of the honourable gentlemen of the night who were conducting their civic responsibility in a neighbouring hostel. From Camp to Isolu, all the way to Gate, their service to humanity has been felt and students constantly sing their praises in all forms of gathering.



It is amazing how these gentlemen come and go without any inhibition, turning the students to animate ATMs as they cart away their money and properties. Is the school authority unaware of the spiritual visits of these holy men or are they just ignoring the issue since it is not inside the school compound? The two police stations nearby which ought to offer the students their service and protection with integrity are probably oblivious to this latent issue because I know they should be on top of the situation by now.

While still sitted on the same spot, we heard some gunshots or what we thought were gunshots since we could independently verify the source but nonetheless, a few students panicked, some tears were shed in fear of the impending doom, a lot of silent prayers were said and I sat there all the while watching it all unfold and the only thought going through my mind was that these students are expected in school tomorrow, after a night of physical anguish and emotional turmoil, some will still be required to sit for tests and be expected to perform well and the rest of course must forget about the money and properties which they were relieved of and be attentive in class like being forced to part with your belongings is a perfectly natural phenomenon.

Again I ask, is the school authority unaware of the nightly acts of these gentlemen of unquestionable virtue? If yes, what is being done to check their good-natured and kindhearted activities?

As the academic calendar counts down and the examination period approaches, students are laying wide awake in their respective hostels afraid to shut their eyes and in no state of mind to assimilate were they to attempt reading.

I guess we could all feign ignorance and pretend we are unaware of the ungoing activities of these saints with rifles as students lose their properties to their midnight offering collection. It's so sad that we still subscribe to the old school mantra, "out of sight is out of mind", and therefore blissfully ignoring our problems in hope that they go away instead of finding solutions in order to prevent future occurrences.

I am not in the position or state of mind to proffer any solution to the issue at hand and that being said, it is almost daybreak so I'm off to bed. I have to be early for my class at eight o'clock.

To those who have lost money and other properties during these trying times, I am genuinely sorry for your loss and I pray God provide you with better ones.

To all the students in general, I pray these kindhearted souls are caught and brought to justice before they pay any more visits.

In the meantime, be security conscious and be prayerful.