When you are faced with certain death, the instant reflex is to save yourself and stay safe. At that point, you can do anything, absolutely anything, to stay safe.
I knew what I did was wrong, very wrong. But I have to do what I did so I can live to see the dawn of another day.
My name is Eedris Jamiu, people call me Kamo as a nickname. I am a thief, yes you heard right. A professional thief. I have been stealing right from my 6th year on earth. There is no pocket, bag, house or shop I cannot burgle with ease. If there is a term for me it should be KLEPTOMANIAC.
I woke up today like every other day, wore my clothes and resumed my daily routine of relieving people of their personal and valuable belongings and properties. Around 5pm, I snatched an elderly woman's purse and raced off. The woman raised an alarm screaming Thief! Thief!! Thief!!! Some guys around the area numbering around 4 to 5 came out of nowhere and started chasing me. I unleashed my inner Usain Bolt on them. I ran with all my strength, but the more I ran, the more these guys were determined to catch me.
When I got to a junction called Kuda, I see a young man wearing a blue polo shirt, exactly the same type am wearing, but obviously more expensive. The moment I saw him, my survival instincts took over instantly. Without wasting time, I removed my polo, threw it away, and knocked the young man to the ground. I put the purse I stole around his neck and shouted "This is the thief! I caught the thief! I caught the thief!!"
The five guys caught up to us and without asking any questions, they went straight into beating the young man. The young man was shouting "I am not a thief!!! I am a..." in well organized and constructed English but that only earned him more beatings. People ran out of nearby shops and homes to join in delivering the sound beating. He pleaded and begged, but no one was ready to listen to him. They stripped him naked and dragged him to the floor for more beating.
I knew what I did was wrong and God will definitely punish me for it. But the fact is, not today.
While the beating was going on, I sneaked out of the gathering and disappeared skillfully into the thin air with my self accorded mastery of stealth.