A day in a lonely night

By Katdapba Y Gobum

I don’t know Jesse Longji Dabit from Adam. He was our son. Indeed, he was a son of Plateau.

Instead of getting into 2025 on a high note, he battled to stay alive, having been fatally wounded on his way home from the entertainment venue: The Secretariat Overhead Bridge.

On the day the night was meant for celebrating God’s goodness to the state, some persons had ulterior motives up their sleeves: Steal, kill and celebrate their spoils. They always do!

We always have them. It is just that they may not have been apprehended yet. However, this gives enough room for the police to work harder, and stop the menace of phone robbery.

Jesse and many others had wanted to enjoy the night and return home into the year 2025. Sadly, it was not to be for him; he lost his life, and whatever valuables that were in his possession that night.

Many ( both young and old) were at the Secretariat Overhead Bridge for the function organised by the state government. It was the first ever cross over event to be staged here by the government.

It succeeded largely. And since it finished late, every participant would need to find his or her way back home, using whatever means available.

Sadly, in Jos, Keke Napep and Okada riders don’t ply the streets beyond 7 pm. It was one of the greatest mistakes; sadly, it is a lesson learnt, but the hard way though.

It would have been ideal to have them around when such an event is taking place. The city centre and other parts, where such evil takes place, requires the presence of security personnel to patrol flash points in the city.

At the British American Junction, Jos, where the act was perpetrated, the assailants stabbed and left him in his pool of blood.

He was unconscious when help arrived, having bled for long, where he was rushed to the hospital.

Jesse, 30, couldn’t make it. He succumbed to the cold hands of death, and sadly, will be buried January 4, 2025. The poster adorns various social media platforms.

There is much that can be done by the security, in view of the development. In an age which we are in now, stolen phones can be tracked and recovered.