IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – A Nigerian investigative journalist identified as PidomNigeria has revealed how God spared his life many years ago over mistaken identity.
He took to Twitter on Monday, 17 April, 2023, to share the story with his followers.
He wrote: “On mistaken identity, let me share my story with you guys. How God saved my life many years ago.
“I was on my way for lectures, one fine early morning. I followed the normal road i use to follow. A shortcut that takes me past few streets, but leads me to my school backgate.
“Going through the main gate of my school, was quite a distance, and you have to queue for the few school shuttle buses back then, or trek long distance to your department. So the backgate was our saving grace back then.
“On that faithful morning, i had this 5 unit course lecture, when i woke up, my spirit refused me to go to school. I was troubled. But knowing who the lecturer was, i just had to avoid his problems. He is a no nonsense man, who scores you more in attendance. He doesn’t joke with students attending his lectures.
“I took my bath, then reluctantly proceeded for lectures. As soon i left my apartment off campus, i suddenly developed this instant fever. My entire body system changed. But i still insisted on going to school. I entered commercial vehicle, that took me to the last bus stop.
“Then it was time to trek down to the back gate, for easy access to my department, by going through those shortcuts adjoining streets.
“Brothers & sisters, as soon as i entered one of those streets, heading to school, i saw hundreds of people beating & roasting some human beings.
“I was like wondering what was happening. But i kept walking down. I saw tyres on the neck of two other men on the floor, crying and begging the crowd to spare their lives. They have been beaten to stupor, and stack naked. The three others where already on flames burning to ashes.
“Then suddenly, one person from the crowd pointed at me. ‘Say see one of them here’ as i approached. I was confused and shocked. But the next thing i saw, was like 200 people running after me at the same time. In my mind, if i stand to explain my self to them, it might be too late.
“Will they even give me the opportunity to explain or identify myself. Will they believe my explanation. Wisdom is profitable to direct. I have seen people being roasted like goats, i can’t be victim of circumstance. I had to run for my life like the real thief.
“Honestly i don’t know where that extra strength came from, i ran like Usain Bolt. My fever suddenly vanished when my eyes saw physical death running towards me. I ran like never before in my life. But while running, my spirit instructed me to run inside a nearby market.
“That if i keep running on that road, they will eventually catch me. I had to follow my spirit, straight inside market. I was scattering & pouring people’s onions, pepper, tomatoes, scattering their shades as i run inside the market. They were shouting “catch am, catch am, thief”
“I ran so fast, some people that were pursuing me had to stop, so they don’t scatter the market of traders. But some insisted. I ran until i got to the major road that leads to the market. Where i saw motorcycles dropping and carrying passengers. I quickly jumped on one, and asked him to go.
“The man was like, where are we going. I said oga, just dey go. So the man moved fast. I was on that bike for over 4 hours. We only branched filling station to refuel. I explained everything to the bike man, as i was physically shaking.
“He took me to my house after several hours. I didn’t go to school for good 3 days, as i kept thinking how my life would have ended in the most gruesome way, without my family members even knowing.
“I eventually summoned enough courage to go to school, but i avoided the back gate.
“I followed front gate. No matter the stress and inconvenience, i endured. One faithful day on campus, a fellow student approached me, to inform me about that incident that happened. I was surprised how he knew.
“He said, i was putting on exactly the same cloth, with one of the thieves that escaped. But he knew me as a student, but his community people may not understand. Because he stays in that area. That even when i escaped, he was telling them that i am a student, & i am totally innocent. But Thank God I survived.
“I had to go home & burn that cloth.”