The news is all of war now
watching tonight I remembered how I once saved a man's life
many many many years ago
I was barely fourteen
but I was already driving on public roads
and I was already as confident as hell

So there's a Civil war going on in my country
the oil rich Eastern regions wanted to break away
the south, west and northern parts said 'noway hosay'
the mantra all around was
to keep the Nation one is a task that must be done
so now a war raged in the eastern sector

This day I had driven to pick daddy up from work
he was a top civil servant and worked in a headquarters at Mariner
right opposite a Port where there were some Naval vessels
a wide lagoon with blue-green waters chopped and swayed
between the Port and daddy's office
parked in front of the office I was seated in the car listening to music
waiting for daddy to come out

Suddenly in front of my view I saw about four men surround a young white man
the four men were shouting and jostling this white man
he was red-faced, frightened and look confused
I got out of the car and ran to the unfolding scene
why are you taking pictures of our Naval Base screamed the four
assailants
who had grabbed the white man and locked on the the camera
that hung round his neck
a larger crowd had gathered now and slaps were beginning to
descend on the hapless white man

Well I told you I am confident as hell did I not
hey hey stop stop don't hit him I shouted moving nearer the melee
they took a look at me and immediately stopped
at that time you could always tell the top people's children
they looked different, dressed different and spoke perfect English
I looked the part to a tee and more
you have no right to manhandle or hit this man, I said sternly

The hapless white man looked at me all ashen faced and trembling
I was only taking pictures of the mariner and the sea
I know nothing of Naval Bases
liar liar spy spy, he's eastern spy shouted the crowd surging forward
lets lynch him says a voice from the crowd
you will not lynch anybody I shouted at the baying crowd
we are not savages
looking around I saw the Doorman at daddy's office come out
I shouted to him
Eddie, Eddie quick go get my father, now now quick
Eddie darted back inside

Daddy came out three minutes later
immediately the crowd hushed and bow their heads
some knew who daddy is other know you respect authority
they want to **** this poor man I said to daddy
they are doing nothing of the sort, replied my father
take him inside the car, daddy said to me
looking at the crowd he said, thank you all, stay vigilant
my son and I will now take this man to the Police
the crowd dispersed, the African sun beamed unforgivingly

We drove the hapless white man to his hotel
still trembling he thanked us profusely, you saved my life
your young son is remarkable, he told my father
you should have seen him single-handedly dealt with the crowd
yes, I know my son, replied my father, he's a right one
I was just now looking forward to lunch

War makes people crazy
and make them do crazy things
we will never know if the poor man was a spy or not
but will you sit and watch a hyper mob tear a defenceless man
to pieces in front of you, would you?