“Ahan, wetin do her?” (What happened to her?), the police
officer asked his colleague who appeared to be older than him.
“How I wan take know
now eh, sergeant Bala? Sometimes you go dey ask stupid questions. Abeg go find
water make we pour her first” (How am I supposed to know, sergeant
Bala? Sometimes, you ask stupid questions. You had better go get some water so
we can pour on her), the older officer said, looking obviously irritated and
confused.
“Person no fit ask you
simple question again? Na so so to insult person you sabi sergeant Frayo” (You can’t be asked simple questions anymore? You only
know how to insult people, sergeant Frayo), the younger officer said sulkily as
he walked away to go get water.
People had started to
gather around the officers to see what was happening. They made unsuccessful
attempts at sending the onlookers away as they tried to revive her. Several
splashes of water later, they still hadn’t revived her, causing the officers to
enter into a state of frenzy.
Flagging down a vehicle, the officers with the assistance of
one of the onlookers, carried Diya into the vehicle, with one of them taking a
seat at the back while the other officer sat at the front. The driver of the vehicle being a little
curious, asked them as he drove, “What happened to her?”
“Won’t you mind your business and just drive this rickety car
of yours to the hospital!” Sergeant Bala answered angrily.
“Ahan! Officer,
don’t insult my car o! After all, I’m just helping you out and I can decide not
to help again!” the driver said angrily.
“Are you talking back at an officer of the law? You will be
arrested on the grounds of emmm….emmm….count of contempt and insult on the personality
of an active officer!” Sergeant Frayo said, in a bid to scare the driver.
“I didn’t do anything! You can’t arrest me o!”
The men argued while being oblivious to
