Sometimes I just sit back and ask myself these questions, If I ever witness any form of crime be it public or otherwise, would I report it to the local authorities providing them with relevant information that could inevitably solve the case or just move on with the rest of my day like nothing even happened?. A lot of times the mantle of being a whistle blower is usually associated with the values of being a model citizen. Ideally society values appreciates this lifestyle and even the media encourages it pushing the narrative of it helping to curb crime in the society.
The level of bravery one needs to do stuffs like this is way more easier than it seems, choosing foster justice over silence is proof enough that we do not super powers to save the day and whatever little contributions we offer can actually go a long way. However, the reality of whistle blowing in some societies usually results in terrible fate for the reporter especially in places where the institutions meant to protect the people and punish lawbreakers are weak or compromised. The true situation is not about just reporting an event when you witness it, it is what comes after which in some cases proves that the drawbacks for whistle blowing usually outweighs the benefits especially did the whistle blower.
The Great Riley Freeman, a character in the black American animated sitcom series once said: "What do you think happens to you after you are done snitching?. Stop snitching or lose the chance of ever speaking again". On paper reporting illegal activities seems like the best decision any patriotic citizen could make but this cannot be any further from the truth. In fact if these institutions were really doing their jobs properly there would be little to no reliance on whistle blowers in the pursuit of social justice.
I have watched western movies a lot and I see what happens to people who report to the police. The backlash is soo bad that some of them can't even see their families anymore because they have to go into witness protection programs or even end of dying due to retaliations from the culprit of the crime or his companions. This gets even worse in Nigeria since every sector feels like it was made to serve the needs of the highest bidder. They promise security and secrecy from the informant but once the information is gotten from their source, he/she is left to fight for themselves which usually ends badly. If the local authorities cannot even guarantee the safety of their informants after they have whistle blown then there is no need for them to risk their lives at all.
I have witnessed a man in his thirties report a crime to the police, have the culprit arrested only for the police to release him that very afternoon and the next thing the guy did was gang up on the man starting from that evening until the man had to relocate. This is a norm in this parts, there are just some people that you dare not report because at some point it seems like they are above the law..... For me I have asked experienced my own fault share of consequences of whistle blowing as a Nigerian and unless I have the financial connection and influence to protect myself and my family, I will never indulge in it ever again....
Thank you.
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