Curiously, I nudge the story teller, who was my _abagi_(fermented porridge paste) seller and ask her to kindly "tell us more". 

Well, anything for a customer who is purchasing 6 large _abagi_ bags.😁. Without Tiiit or the horn, she starts rumbling. I can feel the bitterness in her as she explains the entire ordeal. 

ON THE HUNT

My story is cut short by hooting of motorbikes. Each motorbike has at least 4 passengers(excluding the cyclist). Each of the passengers has a jembe stick in their hands, some with razor sharp pangas. They're all on the *hunt for the killer*. And their intention is to mete *~in-justice~.* Our Story tell pauses, and with a scornful face shouts, "Eh! Owinjore, ka uyude to kik uweye!. Neg uru jajuogno!"(Yes, that's right, if you find him, don't spare him. Kill that witch). 

NOT MY SON

I shift my attention to her. I look at her agitation and feel her "pain" as "a mother who's son was murdered." And I remember every other mother would've advocated for the same to the killers of her son. 

On a second thought, I see a mother who's son is about to be lynched by an angry mob. Whether guilty or innocent of the rumoured stories-theres death knocking at her door. I take a deep breath and ask her, "Min Sackla(real name), be iwinjo ne en Sackla ema oneko, ema imanyo?(Mother to Sackla, have you heard that its Sackla who's being sort for the murder). "Not my son!Never. Even if it were my son, I'd rather he gets imprisoned for life than death".

RIACO'S TAKE

The anger and frustration that comes with loss of life is a tragedy, and the desire for justice is strong. However, everyone MUST resist the temptation to resort to mob justice.

Taking the law into our own hands is not only illegal but also extremely dangerous. Mob justice can lead to further violence, loss of innocent lives, and a cycle of retaliation that will only harm our community.

Our justice system, while imperfect, is designed to ensure that justice is served fairly and impartially. Every individual, regardless of the crime they are accused of, is entitled to a fair trial and due process.

The police are trained professionals who are responsible for investigating crimes and apprehending suspects. It is crucial to allow law enforcement to conduct their investigations thoroughly and bring the perpetrator to justice through the legal channels.

Having considered everything around me within that 26 minutes with my _abagi_ customer(by the way, her _abagis_ are the sweetest around Rodi😁),I encourage community cooperation with law enforcement. By providing information and working together, we can assist in bringing the perpetrator to justice while upholding the rule of law.

Let us work together to find peaceful and constructive solutions to this issue. Community meetings and dialogue can help address concerns and promote understanding.

We must remember that mob justice violates fundamental human rights and dignity. We must uphold the values of justice, fairness, and respect for all.

RIACO is committed to supporting victims of crime and advocating for justice. We are here to offer legal assistance and guidance to anyone affected by mob justice-Directly or indirectly. 

If you are facing a situation involving mob justice, please contact the relevant authorities immediately.

As for me and my sour porridge filled tummy,😋