PTSD
A lot of people (especially Nigerians) probably suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but they just don't know it probably because they have no idea that something like PTSD even exist or they've gotten used to feeling that way that it's no longer a new thing to them, it's now part of their lives.
Some few days ago, I witnessed something that sent shivers down my spine. It was so scary that everytime I think about it, I still get chills.
It was sometime around 5 in the evening. I was on my way back home from school. We had closed a bit late that day because a certain lecturer decided he was going to teach in one day what should be thought for a whole semester. Well I was on my way back home and had just gotten to my street when I noticed that there was a bit of commotion up ahead.
I walked up to see what was happening and that was when I saw the police officer straighten the dagger in front of his gun, pointing it at a young man while his colleagues were forcing the guy into their vehicle. The scene right in front of me was nothing short of a kidnapping scene.
I got scared and immediately hid myself because I knew that this guys were out to arrest any young man they see, that's what they do when they're low on cash and need to make some quick money. Unfortunately for the young man, the indigenes in the area arrived at the scene a bit late and when they did, the officers already had the guy in their vehicle and then they drove off while firing some shots in the air to scare away the people chasing after them.
The whole thing was so scary to me because I had seen that dude walk past me when I stopped to get something I would eat later that night. The thoughts going through my mind as I finally walked home was that what would have happened if I hadn't stopped to buy something and I had been kidnapped by this men in uniform who are meant to protect us?
It was a really scary experience that still hunts me till this day because I now find myself scanning my environment like someone working in a secret service or a spy just because I'm trying to make sure this guys don't run up on me and grab me while pointing their AK47 which has a dagger attached to the front at me.
I really have only heard this be actually true in movies. I do not know how true they may be in other countries, but I know it is quite the opposite in the country
belonglive in, Nigeria.To me, I think every Nigerian youth has some traits of this PTSD towards the police ever since the 20th of October, 2020. That year was when we knew we were, and have always been, in big trouble for just being Nigerian youths.
So many things never made much sense before that
devastatingdemoralising happening. The youths no longer felt safe. The ones that were supposed to protect us were the ones after our very lives. What did we then do when the one to protect us failed? We protested. Not just any protest, but a peaceful one.And then that day came, and ever since then, many youths that were not blind, deaf, or without a brain have been on their toes, watching their backs as well as walking forward. I know for sure that I "fear" being around the police. This is not because I am shy or someone with low self-esteem, but because I know these guys in the police are more like animals. And animals do not have manners.
That simple act you witnessed will make you really nervous about the police for quite a long time. And that's okay. You are very cautious about keeping your profile low.
I've always said it that the police are nothing legalised criminals. It has gotten so bad that even if I get robbed or get involved in a minor thing that would have required me to go to the police, I will just count my losses and continue life like it never happened. Because going to those guys will only make it worse and probably cost me more damages and expenses.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us...
Sadly alot of people in the society still do not even know what a PTSD is...more awareness needs to be done..
Yeah you're right, thank you for reading.
You are welcome
That is very lowly of police to just arrest random innocent individuals because they’re low on cash. But it doesn’t sound strange to me because I see something like this(not exactly the same, but a similar situation) happen here in Ghana as well.
On a bus ride home two days ago, we passengers were engaged in a talk about how police even in Ghana here try everything in their power to find you guilty of some crime, just ti get you to cough up some small cash for them. They literally will screen you for the smallest thing to charge you with.
I find it strange though that you refer to the situation as a kidnap. Bro was probably guilty for something. I don’t presume to know the things going on around your area, but maybe he might’ve done something wrong that warranted his arrest?
I would say you should see a therapist if you feel this scene you witnessed traumatizes you in any way, but a therapist is alien culture to most of us Africans. Let’s just stay out of trouble and pray we don’t ever get caught up in any shit like this.
I called it kidnapping because its nothing less than that. The young man clearly did nothing wrong and I say this because this isn't the first time something like this is happening. The police over here now arrest people based on looks.
A pastor with dread will most likely be arrested more times in a week than a criminal on low cut, which is completely wrong.
Because before an arrest should be made, there should be some sort of investigation or evidence to a crime committed.. And the last I checked, having dreads isn't a crime.
I get the hairstyle reference. That is pretty common here and it’s absurd and unfair being judged or labeled a criminal because of the hairstyle you wear.