Tongue and cheeck with the title, but non the less,yet another moment in a week packed full of them.
I comsidered how to write about the ten days in Calabar. So many incidents and just one blog entry. So I'm splitting it into two. And going to give you a rounded account of each incident.
During the course of my time in Nigeria, I saw lots of armed police and army. Running check points and pulling vehicles over. Basically the uniformed police are close to Mafia, in standards of corruption. Using their official position to get money out of anyone they can. A white man is rich remember, and is guaranteed to be approached for money. Who you going to call? ( who said Ghost Busters ??)
The Army will expect a tip as you go through their check points. Despite there being a big sign,that says, "Do not give money to the soldiers. It is an offence. "
The least corrupt and most professional are Immigration Officers. They are the first and last Nigerians you will meet. The ones I met did their jobs very well. Were educated, polite but firm. And simply want to ensure you are allowed in Nigeria. And were proud to represent their country. They can stop, search and arrest you. And arguably have more power than the average police man.
Twice during my stay in Nigeria, plain clothed Immigration Officers took me to one side. Wanting to check my visa and reasons for being in Nigeria. I'm not hard to find. I was the only white man I saw !!
The Immigration Officer Incident
My hotel was a decent standard and had a bar directly opposite that did food. So of a night I'd pop over. The owner,Otwo,was SCID. ( Plain clothed cop.) As was his Manager's brother,Jumbo. Who based himself there,with the police radio and responded to calls. He was armed with a 9mm Browning, tucked inside the right side of his belt. Under his shirt.
One night, whilst sat outside in the bar. A Immigration Officer came directly upto me. Identified himself and asked to see my visa. We went to my hotel, just 30m away. I asked him to show his ID card in front of the Reception staff. Who made a note of his name and number. (Ada Stevens.)
After ten minutes of repeatedly looking at my visa. He said ' my boss wants to see you. I'm going to have to arrest you. You should have left a few days ago.' I told him my visa was in date and would leave when I wanted to. ( First red flag. A hotel member of staff had said almost an identical sentence to me.)
He repeated himself and then said. Or...' you can pay for my taxi and i will leave '. That's code for give me money. I gave him 2,000N .He left my room and I returned to my table at the bar. Jumbo was sat next to me,along with a few other locals. I was seathing,on principle. He'd either acted illegally and got money out of me. Or it was a fake ID.
Not 5 minutes later.....who walks back in the bar??? The 'immigration officer '! At that exact moment I knew it was a con. I jumped up, and shouted Jumbo. "You're a lier and a thief'.I said to him. I said ' you are a fake '!! To which he ran...myself, Jumbo with his 9mm out and some of the bar staff in hot pursuit.
He ran straight to my hotel. How good of him. Within seconds he was on his knees. Jumbo had his 9mm Browning against his forehead. Demanding to know the truth. They spoke in tribal language. So I didn't know what was being said. Jumbo just nodding to me and saying ' he admits it'. I took a nice big swing and slapped Ada Stevens. Aka Immigration Officer across the face with the back of my hand.
I was fuming but buzzing at the same time. As always, these things happen very quickly. Yet slowly at the same time.
(As a heads up. I at this stage,thought he'd got a fake ID. And was a bogus Immigration Officer. )
Into the back of Jumbos Honda Accord. Me to the right of the thief. Jumbo driving. Well...I took one look at him. And before I knew it,I'd punched him square in the face. His lip burst,the blood splattering all over Jumbos kneck and head rest. The back of the seat and my seat. The thiefs lip completely split.
Off we went to the Calabar Police Station.
Ooops!!! Turned out he was a genuine Immigration Officer. An official of Nigeria. But had seen my name on a hotel residents sheet in his office. And had decided to do some private work. Using his position to exstaut money. ( Myself and jumbo both think he had a contact at the hotel. )
The 2000N went into 'Evidence'.Read beer money for the police. The Immigration Officer tried to get out of it. But was locked up in jail for four days and released to appear in court.
Not wanting any hassle myself. I wrote a letter to the police requesting all charges to be dropped. Which was accepted.
So just one of many incidents in one week in Calabar Nigeria. Not all Nigerians are bad. Far from it. I didn't catch that con man. ' We ' caught him. And boy it felt good.
Remember I've crossed thirteen countries. Two continents. Lived in the Sahara Desert, the jungle and the bush. All to raise awareness and donations for wounded servicemen. Servicemen who sit in wheel chairs.
If you like what I've been doing, the sacrifices I've made....Please please please click the help for heroes logo.
Thank you
Will x
