Is there anything hidden forever in this life? Can one ever keep secret forever? Do human actions have no records, whether good or otherwise? Could one always escape the reward of one’s actions or deeds? Hasn’t the world been described as a global village? Doesn’t everybody in a village recognize and know one another? Won’t strangers be recognized as they step their feet on the soil of the village? Why don’t people weigh whatever they want to do, whether good or bad? Why don’t they think of the effects of their actions on others? Why are some homosapiens behaving like common animals? Why don’t some people place their actions on the screen of logic before letting them out? Why can’t some people control their emotions or appetite that could lead them into trouble? Why is it that the race of man doesn’t let sleeping dog lie? Why does my kind stir up a hornet’s nest? Why don’t we allow peace in our daily affairs? How come that love for fellow man is a thing of the past among us? Why is it that kindness towards fellow man has eluded us? Why do we find it difficult to put ourselves in other people’s shoes? Who is to blame for the woes befalling our beloved world? Who is to blame, citizens of the world? Who is to suffer for the loss of our world? Who should be scorned like skunk that should sink in shame?
Daniel, the lover of Mary, should be eligible to answer all the questions. Yeah, the arsonist who set her lover’s property ablaze, leaving her in it should be able to answer all the questions.
For few years, police had been on his trail, all the security agents of Uguru were after him. They worked closely with the police force of Gorgon State but the criminal always escaped. He was connected to powers that be. In fact, his case would have been swept under the carpet but for the efforts of incorruptible officers of the law, some human right activists and proofs of his arson. He was a notorious criminal. He had wreaked havoc on so many a human. Instead of him to be jailed, he always got out of the police net and would start gallivanting everywhere, boasting of his exploits, intimidating his listeners.
In saner climes where the state machinery of justice was alive, he would never have got out of his mess. His case would have been decided a long time ago.
Two police officers in Uguru met each other in Gordon State and started discussing latest report and breakthrough recorded so far on the arsonist so called Daniel.
“Have you heard, Officer Chris?” asked Adams.
“Heard what, Mr. Adams?”
“You haven’t heard the latest intelligence report on the arsonist who parades himself as Daniel?” asked Mr. Adams again.
“Oh, that one! His case is decided. He has been going scot free for a long time. This time, he will face the music. He can’t deny all the proofs against him,” revealed Officer Chris.
“Intelligence report says he wasn’t named Daniel. He gave himself the name in order to deceive people. His real name is Joja from the Bolan region of Uguru. He is from a very poor family. He lost his parents to the activities of armed robbers in the region at that time. His parents were very poor but had some portions of land which they later sold. After collecting the money and were on their way home, they were attacked by armed robbers who collected the money, killed them and went their way. So, he heard the story and promised to wreak havoc on all and sundry, most especially rich people,” informed Mr. Adams.
“Really?” asked Mr. Chris.
“Yes, he is also a serial rapist, gold digger and notorious criminal. All the police officers of Uguru are after him. He must pay dearly for all the crimes he has committed against humanity. Uguru has bled a lot as a result of his devilish activities. In fact, he master-minded the death of our governor in Gordon State,” said Officer Adams.
“He did?” asked Mr. Chris.
“Yes, he did! I really appreciate the activities of the intelligence unit of this State. It is just that some people are trying to undermine their efforts because they know by nabbing him, so many heads will roll,” concluded Mr. Adams.
“I see! He can’t escape this time. All the forces of Uguru are against him and his godfathers. The game is up,” boasted Mr. Chris.
“Yes, Officer!” affirmed Mr. Adams.
Goodbye, Officer!” said Mr. Chris.
“Goodbye, sir” said Mr. Adams saluting Mr. Chris who was a senior officer to him in Gordon State police force.
True to the words of the police officers, efforts were in top gear to nab the criminal. Intelligence unit was working round the clock to nab him. All the citizens of the country had been informed and urged to reveal his hide-out to the closest police station. He had held Gordon State captive for a long time and by extension, the whole land of Uguru. He never spared anyone. He had no mercy in his veins – no iota of mercy. Some people nicknamed him rock. When he fell on you, he would ruin your life. When you hit him, you hurt a lot. Such was his life. He had sent many lives – old and young, married and unmarried, rich and poor, white and black, priests and pews – to their early graves. He was nicknamed the nightmare of Gordon State by his boys. He lived larger than life. He robbed at will. Nobody ever tried to put a check on his activities except the great man Sir Williams, the former governor of Gordon State and the father of Mary.
Truly, he had been the nightmare of Gordon State but the table would soon turn. Yes, Gordon State and Uguru will become his nightmare. He would enter the traps set for him. He would confess all that he had done to the whole world. He would come dragging his feet on the ground. It would be too late for him to make amends then. The gate of mercy would have been closed.
Joja would pay dearly for all he did. He should have known that he couldn’t use a wrong action to correct a wrong one. He should have allowed karma to judge the murderers of his parents. In the cause of avenging his parents’ death, he had killed many innocent people. What a grievous error his was to humanity? Why did he choose to harm his own soul in the name of pleading his parents’ cause. Some would justify his actions but the well-meaning citizens of the world would divest themselves of such an appeal to sentiments and rather embrace logic and justice.