It was 14th February 2002 and it was Valentine’s Day again. Well, I had resigned myself to a quiet day since I had nothing going for me. Depressingly my video cassette recorder got bad the day before, so my plan to watch an action movie while romantics were snuggling was not to be.
However it happened to be an old friend’s birthday so I got dressed at about 7pm, doused myself with some perfume and equipped myself with a card and gift for him. This had everyone fooled as my neighbours were convinced I was off to a secret date. I didn’t try too hard to make them think otherwise, who wants to be the jonsed up guy! Besides, I guess I was secretly hoping I would meet someone worth talking to at the party. I arrived at the party which was a small indoor gathering with seven people when I got there. There was one girl there who I thought was rather cute and we got talking. About fifteen minutes to 8pm she made to leave, but I kept talking. About 8pm she insisted she had to do a Cinderella so I squeezed her phone number from her not wanting a glass slipper. She gave it to me and I was rejoicing in my change in fortune, but that was when the madness started.
Suddenly two men with guns walked in and introduced themselves as armed robbers! We were all asked to lie down, empty our pockets and submit our phones. Thus went my newly acquired phone number. Sadly for me I had just emptied my bank account and stupidly had like N8000 on me; that all went too. We were then searched and my wrist watch and car keys were obtained. We were then shepherded to the kitchen and locked within. That was our cue for prayer and we started praying in hushed tones. There were about twenty of us now as some guests had just arrived and the robbers brought some hostages from the next door where they had visited before gate crashing our party. I cowered into a corner, praying quietly, not wanting to be seen by new friend so she would think me a coward. I mean, I could take one of those guys but you don’t argue with a man holding a gun?
Every now and then the door would open, quietening the prayers and they would request for a different member of the household. After a “long” while, just when I was hoping they had left, the door opened and they asked “Who is the owner of the Honda, plate no. DM 379 AAA?” Recognising the number of my beloved Daphne, I answered and was led out. They asked for the keys, which I informed them was with them. We searched for it to no avail and I was led back into the kitchen.
After another “long” while we were relocated to a bedroom and the lights were turned off. We were advised (guns still brandished) to shut our eyes, bow our heads (no, this was not an altar call) and follow them if touched. The person was sitting behind me was whisked away and for the first time that night I got really, really scared. The door was shut and we took turns in calling our family, friends and acquaintances. This roll call revealed three girls were missing. We imagined the worst and started praying again. I then realised my new friend was right in front of me. I was happy she had not been noticed (she is rather pretty). I took the opportunity to play Sir Lancelot as I tried to comfort and reassure her all would be well.
After yet another “long” while, the door reopened and the hostages were returned. The head thief then called out to the celebrant’s mum and told her they were only looking for money and had not found any. Apparently my N8000 was worthless to them. He reassured us they had only threatened the hostages and that none of them was hurt. He then showered some blessings on her (everyone in Nigeria IS “born again”) to which we all chorused “Amen” repeatedly. They left without saying the grace, warning us to be still. About thirty minutes later we came out. The siege had lasted two hours.
My poor Daphne was still there but had been “slapped” as the driver side window was broken and two bottles of wine I had stowed in my trunk were gone. We had a fellowship of thanksgiving, I took some wine, ate some chicken, reassured my new friend (memorising her address this time) and eventually left. Looking back there was so much to be thankful for. No one was manhandled in any way and the only major losses were telephones and that telephone number. We were all talking and laughing after an encounter with armed robbers, who had reported they did not find anything, guaranteed us they had not hurt anyone and left us with prayers.
Every Valentine’s Day since then I am reminded of this gift of love and protection from God. Indeed every now and then I am reminded about how much He loves us. As we celebrate another Valentine’s Day, let’s remember that with God, every day is “Valentine’s Day.”
