Nigerian Man Recounts Embarrassing Ordeal With An Alamajiri Boy In Lagos

A Nigerian man identified as Ray Goodison on Facebook, took to his page to narrate an embarrassing ordeal he had with an Almajiri boy in Lagos.

In his story, he said;

“I’ve never been so harassed in a long time as I was today.

I got to obalende at half past 7, this morning, navigated my way through the jammed traffic on the left side of the lagbus garage, headed towards the main taxi park that had vehicles that conveyed people to the Ikoyi environs (For those who are quite conversant with the area).

As I was walking, I felt this light but firm grip on my right thumb, followed by another one on my ‘baby finger’. I looked by my side and saw this young boy, walking beside me as he was muttering some words, I didn’t hear. I knew he was one of those child beggars they call the ‘almajiri children’ for it wasn’t the first time I was witnessing their iterinaries. I’d always accosted them while I was residing in Lekki. But these children only hover around you and leave when they notice you’re not willing to part with money.

I knew I had no money of lower denomination on me, but just to be sure and to ensure he noticed, I brought out my wallet and opened it, showing it to him… I had a few stacks of one thousand naira notes and another N500 note. Maybe he saw it and understood my pleas, maybe he didn’t, he kept on following me… Now loosing grip of my ‘baby finger’, but holding my hand, this time firmly as I tried to let loose of it.

We were right in front of the park, with only the main road separating us.

“Bros you sef find the boy something na… Since wey him don dey follow you waka”, a conductor chided me tease-fully. I replied him; “I no get change chairman… Abeg you fit help me cut this figo(N500 in Lagos slang), make I see change give am?” He shook his head and answered in the negative and retorted sharply at the boy to let go of me.

“Chai! Which kind wahala I don enter so?” I said to myself

I had to think of something to buy so I could get change. It then dawned on me that I had an event to attend the next day being Saturday, at the beach and I had left my sunshades at home. I decided to pass through the park and cross to the other side of the road using the roundabout… With this boy by my side still holding my hand firmly like I was his father who had refused to give him money for food.

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I got to the stand where two guys stood, arranging their wares, picked a shade that tickled my fancy and after all the haggling through amount requested and amount offered, I agreed to pay N500. He looked at the boy who had now let loose of my grip but was still standing by my side, and asked who he was… I explained to him as I brought out N1000 note asking that he breaks my change into small denominations so I can give the boy something. He shook his head while ransacking his purse. He only had N500 note.

“Okay, so wetin I wan do about this boy now?” I asked him. They then screamed at the boy to leave. But the little boy was even more persistent. They had to grip him, saying I can now go but this adamant boy already had his legs locked firmly around my left leg. He finally let loose after he was threatened to be beaten by the men.

Relieved… I left, thinking I had been freed. I had already crossed the busy road and was now heading back to the park. Then this boy reemerged almost knocked down by a bikeman who was now cussing out at him as he was about to cross the road. This particularly subjected us to the stare of both passersby and bus passengers alike. We became the cynosure of entire activity around. I would have blurted out at him and forced my my hand out of his grip… But it might be interpreted as being inhumane by onlookers who were already catching thrills from the view.

He acousted me, this time with a firmer grip. I have never been so embarrassed my entire life. We both crossed the road demarcating the park from the roundabout pavement. We are now almost entering the park. I saw a few Hausa boys who are cobblers and also sold shoelaces.

“Shebi na una brother be this?” They nodded simultaneously. “Okay, I wan give am money, but I no get change… Una fit help me change this N500?” They muttered with faint voices and shook their heads. “Oya make una tell am make he leave me na… The boy don dey follow tey tey”. They obliged but the boy was hellbent on achieving his quest, so they feigned ignorance

I got to the cab and entered through the owner’s corner, asked the driver if he had N50 or N100. He showed me a N200 note as all he had. I kept silence(No way I was going to give such a mule N200). Other passengers got in and just as the cab was about to move… You wouldn’t believe what this idiot did.

He fuckin spat on me!!!

This was one annoying experience I can’t forget in a hurry.”