Adulting 101StrayWolf

27 Aug 4 min read

The Day My Own Friends Tried to Take My Life

I have carried this story within me for more than 10 years, but I have never truly found the courage to share it with anyone. Perhaps some memories are so painful that, even after the danger has passed, the fear remains deeply rooted within us. I had a difficult childhood, and over time, I found myself surrounded by the wrong people. I became involved with individuals associated with cultism, and before I fully understood what was happening, I was deeply immersed in that lifestyle. I smoked, drank, engaged in fights, and became comfortable in the company of people from whom I should have kept my distance. I will not disclose the name of the cult group, but nearly all of my childhood friends were high-ranking members of various cult groups. Because I was constantly in their company, people became afraid of me as well. I developed a reputation in my community that I had not necessarily earned through my own actions, but which was largely shaped by the company I kept. Looking back, I realize that I was associating with people who had normalized violence. At the time, I believed I was simply demonstrating loyalty to my friends and enjoying the respect that came with being feared. I did not understand that the same people I considered friends could eventually become the people I would have to flee from to save my life. The incident in Owerri is something I do not believe I will ever forget. A minor misunderstanding escalated into something far more serious than I could have imagined. Two of my friends confronted me, and I suddenly found myself surrounded by people I had once trusted. One of them shouted, “Capo say make we cut him ears bring come.” Before I could process what was happening, he raised a machete and swung it at me. I managed to dodge, but the blade still struck my shoulder. The pain was immediate. He attacked again, and instinctively, I raised my hands to protect myself. I was fighting for my life without knowing whether I would survive the next few seconds. Then I heard a gunshot. The other man had shot his own companion. Everything became silent in my mind. For what felt like two minutes, I was completely disoriented. It was as though my spirit had left my body and was observing the scene from a distance. When I finally regained awareness, fear took over. I ran without looking back. I did not care about my belongings, my reputation, or anything else; I only wanted to survive. However, escaping the scene did not mean I was safe. Somehow, the story that spread throughout the community was that I had killed the man. Suddenly, the police were searching for me. Rival cult groups were searching for me. Community vigilantes were searching for me. I had become a wanted man for a crime I had not committed. People who once knew me were now afraid to associate with me. I could not move freely, and every unfamiliar face made me wonder whether someone had come to find me. I lived with the constant fear that the next person who approached me might be there to end my life. Eventually, I made one of the most important decisions of my life. I left Owerri and moved to Ibadan to begin again. I did not merely change my location; I had to change myself. For the first time, I began to understand how close I had come to losing my life. I started viewing life differently. I distanced myself from cultism, avoided the people and environments that could draw me back into that world, and began directing my energy toward building a future rather than proving how tough I was. Sometimes I reflect on that day and wonder what might have happened if I had not dodged the first machete, if I had not raised my hands the second time, or if the gunshot had taken a different direction. I could have died. I could have been imprisoned for a crime I did not commit. My family could have been mourning me today because of a lifestyle I once considered normal. To every young person reading this, please understand that cultism does not represent strength, brotherhood, respect, or a legitimate path to success. It can destroy your future before you fully realize what is happening. The people you consider your brothers today may not hesitate to harm you tomorrow when their interests change. If you are already involved, reconsider your choices while you still have the opportunity. Walk away. Seek support from trusted individuals, distance yourself from that environment, and choose life. You are not obligated to remain the person your past created. I was fortunate to receive another chance, but not everyone does.