A Nigerian police officer has narrated how he helped out a woman who narrated the challenges she’s been facing since the lockdown order issued by the federal government in Lagos, Ogun and the FCT to check the spread of Coronavirus.
Edward Onoriode disclosed he met the woman and her daughter who were walking towards Ikeja while on his way to work this morning. The policeman said the woman who complained about drinking garri throughout yesterday during their discussion after he gave her a lift, revealed she was going to Maryland to see if her elder sister can lend her N5,000.
The woman also disclosed that she sold drinks in traffic before the lockdown, but can’t anymore since she feeds from the interest she makes from her daily sales. Onoriode said he gave the woman money he withdrew from a nearby ATM before dropping her off at Maryland.
He wrote;
On my way to the office this morning, I saw this middle age woman & her daughter walking towards Ikeja. So, I slowed down & gave them a lift since I’m heading towards their direction.
On our way, I asked the woman where she’s heading to in this Lockdown, she said Maryland.
I further asked her why she’s going to Maryland bcoz she look so disturbed and unsettled.
In her words “I want to go & see my sister if she can borrow me money so me & my daughter can get something to eat.”
I was so touched.
She continued;
“Throughout yesterday, we drank garri & the garri was given to us by my neighbour. I can’t keep begging for garri bcoz my neighbour is also managing. So, I decided to trek to Maryland to see if my elder sister can lend me N5000 so we can manage to feed ourselves”
I then asked her; “Before the Lockdown, what do you do for a living?”
She said she and her daughter sells Drinks and Water in Traffic. But due to the Lockdown, she can’t sell and if she doesn’t sell, she can’t feed. Meaning, she feed from the interest she gets daily.
I asked her if she has a bank account. She said; ” I never open account. Na my Neighbour account I dey use if dem wan send me money and i no sabi her account number.”
I had to drive to the nearest ATM spot at Ikeja, withdraw some money, hand over to her & drop her at Maryland.
Truth is, people are really suffering. For the few of us who have what to eat at anytime even if the Lockdown is extended to another two months should do the little we can to assist those who doesn’t have.
I can’t count the number of people who call me daily asking for money just to feed. Things are really hard. At this point, the govt need to do something ASAP to relieve the suffering of the people else, things will get out of hand in days to come if this Lockdown continues.
There are a lot of people that can’t feed if they don’t hustle.
But the government believed the most suffering people are nothernat so they abandon lagasian
Sometimes our leaders are the problem of this country,they don’t care about the poor people.
The situation in the country today is becoming unbearable for many. I think the government need to step up effort to help the downtrodden. That’s how my wife called me yesterday crying and pleading I help her friend who just put to bed on Sunday morning and have nothing to eat.she told me the lady have been with empty stomach since Monday till that hour she called me. I have no option than to send the little I have in my account to her husband to enable him get food for his wife. I pray this whole thing get settled so that normal life will continue. God help us
You have done well….
I really feel sorry for what is happening in this country . I also help young guy some day when he stop me explain his issue just like this one his wife and children her in house noting to eat. I feel sorry when he told me I have to give him what I have with me 500 to go back home and buy food for his wife and children. Asking me if he can get some work to do that every time .I have to take his phone number also
Is a pity what bad governance has cursed us in country no hope or future for the masses of this shameful nation
Thank God for your heart my brother, you are an amazing example to other officers out there.
Remain lifted sir
may god help you to amen