Article: Is Jungle Justice a sign of brotherhood?

There was a time in Nigeria, humans were sold as slaves to the white men. This was so many years ago. Our mothers prayed to see the end of that dark era. Then there was unity and brother loved brother, sister loved sister. We had one thing that united us all. Brotherhood. I dare to say there was peace back then despite the pain. Brothers sang and ate together  despite the hardship. We were one..! One nation even without a country. Even without so much to eat, there was unity. My grandfather used to tell me stories of how he worked for the white men. How he learnt a lot from them and how we Nigerians helped our selves in times of need. There were morals, above all love for one another. Even without a democratic government we had leaders who were called Eze(east), Obi(south-south), Emir(North), Oba(west). They all saw to the proper care of the members of their community. These leaders never slept when their community was in  turmoil. Even the smallest person In the community meant a great deal to the king. He was the father of all!! Then people could run to their hometowns knowing they would be protected by their brothers. They could run home knowing they would be fed if they had nothing to eat. But then we had education which was supposed to be a blessing but rather it brought with it it's wicked step brothers greed, selfishness, corruption, vices, prejudice and lawlessness. Knowledge is power I once thought but what power did my country people pick? Was it the positive power or negative power? We asked the white man to leave because of his torture on us but we do worse to our selves everyday. We No longer see our selves as brothers or sisters. We compete for the smallest opportunity. We see each other as an enemy. We walk on the streets with fear of one another. Is this the country I once heard about? Because of the hardship in the country people steal and when caught are publicly humiliated and most times burnt by fellow Nigerians. People commit murder and justify their acts by saying they killed a thief. Nigerians asked for a democratic government and succeeded in getting it. So the question now is. Why take laws into your hands if we have leaders. Some say the necessary actions won't be taken, others say the thievies shouldn't be allowed to walk on the surface of the earth. Now my second question is, Is Jungle justice the answer? How can we say we are brothers and watch a fellow brother die by fire just because he stole a phone. How can you watch a human go through such pains? Now are you better than the slave traders? Is this democracy? Is this the definition of brotherhood? Say NO to JUNGLE JUSTICE!!! Let the law take its course.
Anonymous