How gullible can we get!

I read the story of a young Nigerian who took advantage of our tendency to (let me use his words) “bow and move when we hear big names and do anything to protect them”. But the suave looking young man overplayed his hands and nemesis eventually caught up with him, while at his con game.

According to him, “I was stranded and thinking of what to do to get money, it occurred to me that I could create the impression that I was the son of a big personality, because I know that in this country, if you are nobody, nobody listens to you.” So he took advantage of this gullibility of the generality of Nigerians and conned those who should be the ones breaking the back bone of con artists – the big bosses in the police force – Commissioners of Police (CP) and Divisional Police Officers (DPO).

Newspaper reports have it that to facilitate his access to the high places, he first changed his identity by adopting the name of a serving governor, Chief Liyel Imoke, Executive Governor of Cross River State and presenting himself as the governor’s son.

To create the right impression, he bought expensive clothes and shoes and took his trade to different states in the North.

His first port of call was Adamawa State, where reports say he met the commissioner of police in charge of the state police command.

The bit I found interesting in the report, is that which stated that while many visitors waited at the reception, Michael was ushered into the commissioner’s office as soon as he arrived.

Immediately the CP saw him, he rose from his seat and greeted his guest with utmost respect, believing that he was Governor Imoke’s son indeed. Hear him, “I told him I was the son of Governor Liyel Imoke. The CP looked at me and nodded. I think he believed me because I was well dressed. I then narrated to the CP how my GMC SUV Jeep, in which I claimed that I had the sum of $28,000, was snatched by armed robbers in the state. The CP was full of pity for me. He asked me where the incident occurred but I told him that I was not familiar with the terrain, so I could not know.”

He was lodged in a five star hotel for three nights after which the CP offered him financial assistance. According to the reports, the amount was “staggering”. After successfully duping the CP and Nigerians in Adamawa (na our money you know, for where CP go get dat kind money)? He moved on to Yobe state, told a similar story, and again he got star treatment. Then, on to Kaduna State he went and there he met his waterloo. Before then he was said to have duped several DPOs in other states, including Abuja. Why did these men, who are supposed to be one step ahead of criminals, fall so easily for the tricks of Marvellous Michael as he was nicknamed? Was it his dressing, was it his accent seeing he is from Itsigidi Local Government Area in Cross River State, whose governor’s son he claims to be, perhaps these law enforcement officers were thus easily carried away?

But whatever the reason, whatever the explanation, it just shows that we are a very gullible lot. How can top police officers get so carried away by looks and mere word of mouth? Couldn’t they have made their discreet checks, even while offering the young man the necessary hospitality, just in case he turned out to be whom he claimed to be? Since we worship personalities, this smart guy simply perfected the art of impersonation and name dropping to his advantage. Let me quote him again “I only took advantage of those who bow and move when they hear big names and are ready to do anything to protect them. So, I took that advantage to meet the DPOs and the CPs in the places I have been to.” Isn’t that a true summation of the attitude of the average Nigerian? Such pity!

FROM MY MAILBOX

RE-FRIENDSHIP
What has happened to Yinka Craig shows how we value our relationships…well, that is life! However, we all should know that a friend in need is a friend in deed. Let’s pray for the quick recovery of Yinka Craig and ask that God should dismantle the altar of sickness on his body.
LEKAN OLADEJI OLAOSUN’S ILORA. 08053049443

Like Alice Walker posited, a friend is someone who does not demand your silence nor denies you the right to grow. And like marriage, friendship should play the complementary role of turning thrash into treasure.
DAYO OLADEJI, SAKI.OYO STATE. 08027278748

God will touch Mr Craig in a wonderful way. He shall live. Nigeria is indeed sick. We are so rich yet we are always in want. Imagine the millions of poor who cannot even afford and access Medicare. God will save Nigeria.
DR. EKUNDAYO, LAGOS 08033951445