CAMARADERIE TROUBLES

Amanda got the shocker news of her entire life.

Her cousin Seye had just been murdered by an irrate mob.

"He was set ablaze and murdered cold-bloodedly in broad daylight," Tolu had told her in a phonecall.

Alhaji Bayero cleared his throat before he started his address. He pulled his large expensive agbada across his shoulders for more convenience. He sat at the high table. Before him were the landlords and landladies, community chairman, the Baale and a curious crowd that consisted majorly of the men and women of the Ayetoro community. He was given the honour to speak - even before the Baale did, nothing more but because of his big afluence. Every community member bestowed so much honour and regard to him because of his wealth and of course, he had helped almost everyone in one area or the other financially.

The community had called for an urgent meeting to address the menances in the community and resolve to ways to curb them.

"My good people of Ayetoro," Alhaji Bayero began. He slightly pulled the tip of his tangaran cap downwards, making it to touch his forehead in a bid to cover his receding hairline. He knew all eyes were on him.

"You have no need that I begin to make an endless list of the recent happenings of social unrest in our dear community. The major problem we need to address is the issue of theft and armed-robbery. This is increasing in an alarming rate.

Last week, the Baale's palace was bugled into while he was away on political duties and his staff of authority was whisked away. All those morons called guards and all palace staffs are presently in the police custody for failing in their respective duties. Likewise, Mr Ademilua reported to the council that his newly bought motorcycle was stolen the very night he brought it to his house. Iya Ibeji the thrift collector is presently in a heavy debt because some hoodlums bugled into her house last week's Sunday while she had gone to church and stole the hard-earned monthly contributed money of some traders which was in her possession. As if that was not enough, they carted away the plasma TVs, HiFi systems and gadgets that belonged to her son in the university. This is pathetic. This is disgraceful and we are never going to be tolerating these any longer. What happened to the Baale was a big punch to the ego bag of this community and this nonsense must stop!

The council elders just returned from the Sango shrine and it has been declared that the culprits that committed this arson has seven days to return the staff of authority back to the palace or else, he or she should be ready to dance to the music. You all know Sango. Sango Olukoso has no patience. Oko Oya's anger and vengance is always a terrible one. In the next seven days, the god of thunder will aa-act," He took his sit.

"Thank you Alhaji Bayero," the community chaiman said.

"In addition to what Alhaji said, we need to find measures to curb these crimes, majorly stealing. There should be a penalty. What should we do to any offender caught so as to serve as a scape goat for other thieves? Should he be maimed? Should we amputate his right arm like other communities do? Should we banish his family from the village? Should? Should.. we"

"Heeeey! Chair! Stop dragging this matter," Alhaji Bayero cut in.

"There is no cause for deliberating this matter any further. Why should we pity the culprits? Do they deserve to live? The wages of sin is death abeg. Let's take law into our hands! Or my people, what do you say?"

"Yess!!" chorused loudly from the crowd. So many 'yeses' and 'nos' in the background. The crowd soon rose to a crescendo.

please," a man rose his hand

"Okay.. what have you?"

Taking law into our hands is termed jungle justice, and this is against the Constitution of the country. I suggest we get the police

keep quiet!!" Alhaji Bayero halted him. The man was mute at the order. He

ground in this country. We are leaving everything to the police. Which stupid Police!? These men in black are more or less criminals too. They receive bribes at road blocks and also lend their arms to criminals for money. You say 'BAIL IS FREE' right? Maybe

suggest Alhaji?" The chairman

what would be said. It wasn't even a deliberation in the first place. Alhaji Bayero had the final say -

should be murdered. He should be stripped naked, humiliated and paraded in broad daylight around the local market. Afterwards, he should be burnt to ashes. No mercy for the wicked! No apology will be heeded to. No matter who the hell his relatives are, even if it is the Baale. There is no pity. Let the field mouse take heed and inform

rose among the elders. Many people supported the motion but the few that opposed gave a violent demonstration. They aired out and wanted to be acknowledged by force.

Bayero's eldest

of him to be stealing people's belongings and pickpocketing even though he had no need of the stolen items. Despite the wealth of his father and being born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he never desisted from stealing little things. He soon got the nickname 'fapist' after getting caught countless times in primary school. He stole stationeries, money and other personal belongings from his classmates' bags even though he had

pocket. Many times he had been threatened a sanction of expulsion

straw that broke the carmel's back. Seye was in his final year in high school. He returned back from school one afternoon very hungry. He flung his school bag on the couch and didn't consider to check the refrigerator or go to the kitchen to get food. He ran out of the mansion and went to the poor Pa Joe's hut, chased his only fowl,

the people that opposed his father's motion, then stripped unclad. The news soon got to his father who was working with some foreign investors at his company. He abandoned the project and rushed down to the spot. He begged the people of Ayetoro to pardon his only

are never going to bend the law for your son's sake. If this happened to be someone else's son, you would happily agree that he faces the

to spare his son. He offered money to everyone present in which they refused bluntly. He promised to offer twice whatever they requested but

and via the process evacuate his son and enable him escape. He planned to fly his son out

into a van after a bullet spree by the thugs. The van zoomed

and a long verse of incantations. He commanded

was pulled out and

about the incident. In no time,

* *

with him as he and his numerous wives bereaved deceased Seye. Alhaji cried grieviously. The knife he sharpened had cut him. The law he proposed had worked against him and cost him his only male child. Everyone sympathized with him. His wife and children were thrown into gloom. Selena and Amanda were also present, this was their cousin. The worst of all was that they couldn't get Seye's corpse. He was burnt to ashes, so that 'befitting burial' Bayero planned wasn't possible. Well, he

a couple days at the Bayeros' place, Selena decided to leave. She knew she had a week left to sort out her family and return to

leave just like that?" Amanda followed her to the door. She was, about to exit