Lessons From A Story That Should Move Every Conscience

A story has been circulating widely on social media about an elderly Nigerian who claimed that he entered prison at the age of thirteen and regained his freedom only at sixty. According to the account, what began as a minor incident involving the accidental damage of a vehicle eventually resulted in decades of imprisonment without trial. He narrated how he was transferred from one correctional facility to another from Maiduguri to Bauchi, then to prisons in Eastern and Western Nigeria, later to Ibadan, and finally to Kano until a governor's visit led to the discovery of his case and his eventual release. Whether every detail of this account is historically verifiable or not, its moral message is too important to ignore. It forces us to reflect on justice, accountability, compassion, and the responsibility of those entrusted with authority. More importantly, it reminds us that behind prison walls there may be people whose voices have never been heard and whose cases have long been forgotten.

As I reflected on the story, I was deeply moved to tears. My sincere prayer is that Almighty Allah grants freedom and justice to everyone who is suffering unjustly in detention and comforts families whose loved ones have disappeared under tragic or unexplained circumstances. The greatest tragedy described in the story was not merely imprisonment. It was the disappearance of an entire human life. A young boy allegedly lost his childhood, education, family, dreams, and future because of the abuse of authority and the failure of institutions to carry out their responsibilities. His parents searched endlessly without knowing what had become of their son. Poverty made him vulnerable, while power was exercised without mercy.

Perhaps the most painful aspect of the account was the repeated transfer of the prisoner from one correctional facility to another. Every transfer took him farther away from justice. Every movement made him less visible to the legal system. Instead of asking simple but important questions Who is this inmate? Has he been tried? Why is he still in custody?the system allegedly kept moving him until he became a forgotten man. His experience reminds us that injustice is not always sustained by one wicked individual alone; it can also be prolonged by institutional negligence, silence, indifference, and poor record-keeping.

This story offers profound lessons for individuals, families, law enforcement agencies, correctional institutions, governments, traditional rulers, and society as a whole. First, individuals should ensure that family members know their movements whenever possible. While no one can predict misfortune, maintaining communication with loved ones can help families trace missing relatives and report unusual disappearances promptly. Second, law enforcement officers must always remember that authority is a sacred trust. Their responsibility is not merely to enforce the law but to protect the rights and dignity of every human being. Every suspect deserves a fair hearing, a proper investigation, and due process under the law. Anger, revenge, pride, or abuse of power must never replace justice.

The Holy Qur'an reminds us: "Indeed, Allah commands justice, excellence, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression." (Qur'an 16:90).

Allah also says: "O you who believe! Stand firmly for justice as witnesses for Allah, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your close relatives." (Qur'an 4:135).

Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"Help your brother whether he is an oppressor or oppressed."

When asked how one helps an oppressor, he replied: "By preventing him from oppression." (Sahih al-Bukhari).

The Christian faith equally places justice and mercy at the centre of righteous living.

The Bible declares: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8).

King Solomon further instructed: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Dr. Gidado Abdulkarim Salimon writes from No 1b Halal Street Daudu Islamic Village, Ilorin kwara state.

Contact Information: Email: abdulkarimgidado9@gmail.com