#ULOG | How Steemit Saved Me From Being Arrested
Just about an hour ago, I was walking back to my apartment when I was called over by some police officers. They interrogated me and for a moment, I was scared that I was going to spend the night in a cell. Thankfully, Steemit came to my rescue. Here is my story
The Cause: Epileptic Power Supply
For the past 48 hours, the electricity power supply in my area has been nothing to write home about. Well, it wouldn't have mattered much to me except that I need electricity to be able to power up my laptop and charge my phone, the two devices necessary for me to connect to Steemit.
For the past four months, Steemit has been proving my meals. I used to be on Fiverr and Upwork but Steemit is a whole lot better. Not being able to post for two days means a lot for me. Plus, I needed to connect with my favourite writers and faithful readers.
There are very few alternatives for someone like me without a university degree. (Sometimes I feel like Ed Sheeran in that regard.) Anyway, to make up for the absence of power supply, I decided to leave my home to look for power to charge my gadgets.
The Quest For Electricity
In my quest for power, I (along with some friends) went round looking for where to charge my gadgets. Luckily, we found a gaming shop that ran on generator set. (A Bet Niaja Shop). I quickly plugged my gadgets and returned home to have breakfast/lunch - At about 1 pm. When I returned, the operators announced that they didn’t want folks to charge their laptops. They argued that it was draining too much power from the generator set. Well, beggars cant be choosers.
So I unplugged my laptop and clacked away on my keyboard as fast as I could and created my first post for the day which# is titled Perfect People Don’t Exist; But Happy People Do!. By the time I was done, my laptop battery was too low to sustain another typing session. I simply published the post and retuned home for another meal. Soon I was on the road again, looking for a place to charge.
Finally, Power Was Restored
Doing my rounds, I discovered that a friend had power at his place. I quickly hurried over and plugged my gadgets. At the same time, I was trying to brainstorm for my next post. I try to create quality posts regardless of what upvotes I might get. I had two contests I was trying to develop entries for. I kept on thinking until time was no more.
Soon, it was almost 11:00 pm and I needed to return home. I packed my gadgets into my bag, carried my bag and bid my friend goodnight. Someone mentioned that police officers were around the corner. However, after walking for a while with no signs of a police vehicle, I relaxed and walked majestically, hoping to reach my apartment in no time.
The Voice In The Dark: “Hey, Come here!”
I was jolted out of my sauntering by the searching rays of a flash-light. The voice bellowing the command was hoarse and unfriendly. I turned to look, saw the police and my heart skipped a beat. Allow me to explain.
My neighbourhood is filled with internet fraudsters. The kind that scam people on;line and take away their hard-earned money. They are known by many names but ‘G-Boys’ is their most common appellation.
Since most G-boys are within my age range, use laptops for their activities and are fond of both walking and working at night, I was a natural suspect. I didn’t have a strong alibi. I mean, who would believe me that I was charging my gadgets for over four hours. I knew I needed something desperately.
So I went over to the police officers. Immediately, I was asked to declare the contents of my bag. The officer speaking with me made sure I saw the AK 47 in his hands. I obliged at once and handed over my laptop and phone. He asked me to unlock my phone and turn on my laptop. Next, he asked what I was doing out so late in the night.
I don’t know what to say. I stammered as I tried to explain that I went to charge my gadgets. Thankfully, I was just checking my recent post on Steemit on my mobile phone. So when I unlocked the phone, he saw the page opened in my browser. I immediately used the opportunity to explain that I am a writer. He read the post and seemed convinced. After all, the post even had my name on it.
Next, we asked that I proved I was the owner of the laptop. If he couldn’t get me as a suspected G-Boy, perhaps he could get me for stealing or purchasing a stolen item. I explained to him that my apartment was still a walk away. He however demanded that I proved the laptop was mine. I only had to show him my name on my laptop and the draft of the published post which was on my laptop.
At that point, the police officer was fully convinced. He asked a few questions about my studentship, course of study and cleared me off. As I walked home, I couldn’t help but marvel at how Steemit just spared me the agony of spending the night in a police cell.
Right now, all I can think about is getting a good night rest.
I wish this experience would stop me from walking at night; but I know it won’t. I am a night crawler.
Steemit, thanks a million.
Blessings.
[image source 1 Flickr]
[image source 2 Pxhere]
[image source 3 Wikipedia Commons]
As a Nigerian myself, I can relate to your story well. I am happy for you that they chose to believe your Steemit story. They might have decided not to believe you if they were the hungry type even when they know that you are obviously saying the truth.
Spending your night in a Nigerian police cell is bad enough in itself but on a worst scenario, considering the time of the night, it might have been your only saving grace. That is even if they even consider that option.
It's just unfortunate that this is the country we find ourselves in.
My brother, na so we see am o
I'm just grateful for what happened
And you're right. The really hungry ones won't let me leave until I shake body. And I didn't even have 5 naira on me then
Thanks for stopping by
Maybe Steemit will give us enough money to leave this country
Blessings
You've got my upvote, I'd like to know a bit more about your area. Good luck and seriously stay safe... thats definitely some night @iamthegray
Many thanks for your upvote
My area, Modakeke is a small town in Osun State. There's nothing special about it. Most students live here because of the cheap accommodation available here. The hostels around campus cost around $200-$400 while accommodation here is between $60-$100
The area is filled with Indian hemp smokers and G-Boys. Sometimes the police come around to raid those spots. You don't want to be treated as a suspect. The cells are in terrible conditions. Plus you might have to pay a hefty bail before you're set free (although they claim bail is free)
I'm here because I can't afford the expensive accommodation. I hope to get out of here soon though. I'm being convinced to return to school and finish my education. My CGPA is terrible but having a certificate with Third Class is better than being a dropout over here.
I write a lot about Modakeke. My most recent post is this: MODAKEKE: The Town I Call Home
Thanks for stopping by
Blessings
@iamthegray. I come from the bottom of the barrel as well. I say that because i have achieve some form of sucess while real sucess is measured differently by people i consider success to be the type of life and lifestyle that makes you happy... anyway you really caught my attention with your brief story of the night you had I started following you today i look forward to seeing more of your writing.
Thanks for the follow. I followed you back.
I love your definition of success. I believe that at the end, everyone just wants to be happy.
Thanks for stopping by
Blessings
Am so happy for you and i learnt a lot from the story. Kudos.
Thanks
If I tell you what carrying a laptop at night did to me one night, you go sorry for me. The good thing is you met a policeman with a working part above his neck. Some of them, if not most of them are not OK.
As in...
I was just lucky o my brother
kindly add #ulog in title. thank you for joining in. I wrote a post about ulogging
please read all related post. if you consider it a ulog keep all pictures yours. also read the posts on @ulogs
Wow!
You commented on my post!!
(checks self)
I'll edit the title now. I'll also make sure to follow the steps next time
Thanks for stopping by
Blessings
Just happy the police believed you, they can be so annoying at times. I even forgot to add that they stooped me for having a fake number plate. I even forgot to add that yo my #ulogs. Ill edit it now. Thanks for sharing
Haha
And was it really a fake plate number?
No now, you know when your papers are okay and they're now looking for excuses to disturb person now.
Haha
I grab
⠀
Free
Congratulations!,@iamthegray Your post has been upvoted by Reach Out, which is proudly sponsored by @eturnerx. Our goal is to support Nigerian minnows on Steemit.
Join our discord group https://discord.gg/NWAkKfn
Benefactor : @bleepcoin
We get far to few stories told about the daily life in an African metropolis. Thanks for changing that and sharing the story. I will resteem it.
Perhaps selling electricity could become your job, ever considered it?
Smiles
Thanks a lot for the resteem
I don't know about that. Africa is a continent, Nigeria is a country, Osun is a state and Modekeke (where I stay) is just a small town.
I don't think my experience is a major reflection of the daily life of most Africans. If you read the comments, the people who relate to the post are those who stay in western Nigerian.
But yes, there are very few 'real' stories. In fact, while I wrote this post, I wondered if I wasn't saying too much or giving my country a bad name. Well, it's out and there's nothing I can do about it
Haha
Nah. That's being handled by large corporations who get subsidies from the government and yet fail to deliver. There are so many allegations and conspiracy around it. Some say the generator merchants are responsible for the epileptic power supply. Constant power would mean less patronage.
Well, if I can't earn from Steemit anymore, I think I'll just go back to Fiverr and Upwork
Thanks for coming around
Blessings
Thanks a lot for your clarification. See? That's how little we know about Africa/Nigeria/Osun/Modekeke :-)
I will keep that in mind. Somehow I assumed you were living in Lagos...
You do the opposite: Showing everyone that there is genuine talent in Nigeria. That's a very good thing.
Smiles.
Ah, the famous state/city called Lagos. I was born and bred in Lagos.
I got admitted to Obafemi Awolowo University, here in Osun State to read English Language. I moved to Modakeke recently because I couldn't afford my rent. Here's an old post (my latest on Modakeke) MODAKEKE: The Town I Call Home
About the talent... I'm flattered.
Thanks for the compliment
Blessings
Great article. I am so glad it all worked out. This was a pleasure to read. We need more writers like you on steemit. Thank you for the story.
Thanks for your kind words
I'm glad you like my post. I'm happy I didn't get locked up though.
Blessings