Reflections on providing help in emergencies
The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. In the parable, a man is left for dead by the roadside after being robbed and beaten. Two Jewish religious leaders, passing by at different times, see him but do nothing to help. Then, a man from Samaria — a tribe hated by the Jews — comes across the injured man and, without hesitation, takes responsibility for his care. He treats the man’s wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays for his care, promising to cover any additional expenses on his return. This story, often recounted in sermons and moral teachings, emphasizes the importance of mercy, compassion, and selflessness, especially towards strangers.
This parable came to mind recently when I stumbled upon a story on X (formerly Twitter) shared by a user. The post detailed a painful experience where the author and some friends encountered a bleeding dispatch rider lying on the road beside his motorcycle under the Independence Tunnel in Maryland, Lagos, around 10pm. In a desperate bid to get help, the author tweeted to inquire how to contact the Lagos State Emergency Service. He later updated that he had been calling the emergency number, “112,” for over an hour with no response. The emergency service was allegedly aware of the situation, yet no one had arrived to assist them.
In the same thread, the author mentioned that some policemen on a motorcycle had briefly stopped but left without offering any assistance. They had also approached some other police officers nearby, sitting by their vehicle, who, despite being informed of the situation, responded casually, “We are aware, we are calling 767.” Tragically, the dispatch rider succumbed to his injuries before any help arrived. The author and his friends, who had initially stopped to help, left the scene with the victim’s body still lying there.
This story, sparse in detail, leaves several questions unanswered. Was the dispatch rider conscious when they found him? Did they attempt to identify the source of his bleeding or try to stem it? Why didn’t they take him to the nearest hospital? Despite these uncertainties, what is clear is that they stayed with the man, hoping that professional help would arrive — help that never came.
The reactions to the author’s tweets were varied and revealing. Many questioned why he didn’t just take the injured man to the nearest hospital. The dispatch rider appeared to be a victim of a hit-and-run, a circumstance that might require police investigation. In Nigeria, Good Samaritans are often treated with suspicion, potentially seen as primary suspects rather than as innocent bystanders trying to help. This fear of being wrongfully accused or entangled in a police case can deter even the most well-intentioned individuals from offering assistance. Various responses to the tweet cited instances where people who had tried to help accident victims or others in distress were subsequently arrested, charged, and in some cases, even imprisoned.
This brings to light the grim reality of the challenges faced by Nigerians in offering help during emergencies. Imagine witnessing an emergency — perhaps a car accident, a medical crisis, or an act of violence — and being paralysed by the fear of becoming a suspect. The decision to help is not just a moral one; it is filled with potential legal consequences that could significantly alter your life.
Nigerians face a unique set of dilemmas when encountering emergencies. First, one must assess whether the situation is genuinely an emergency or a plan by criminals to catch unsuspecting victims. Crime has taken on many guises, and in a country where trust in public safety is low, such caution is not unnecessary. If convinced that the situation is genuine, the next challenge is deciding how to help. Should you call for help and wait until it arrives, administer first aid, or transport the victim to the nearest hospital? Each option carries its risks. If you call for help, will it arrive in time? If you administer first aid, are you equipped to handle the situation without causing further harm? If you take the victim to a hospital, will you be treated as a suspect?
The reality is that helping others in Nigeria is often a high-risk effort. The fear of being implicated in a crime, the lack of trust in law enforcement, and the potential financial and emotional costs of getting involved can be overwhelming. These risks are compounded by a healthcare system that is often under-resourced and overwhelmed, where hospitals may demand a deposit before treating a patient, and where the quality of care can be inconsistent at best.
I often wonder how I would react if faced with a similar situation. Would I walk away, pretending not to have seen anything, or would I stop to assess the situation and try to help? Every scenario I imagine leaves me with lingering doubts and the unsettling thought, “What if I were the victim? What would I want someone else to do for me?”
At the heart of these questions lies a deeper issue: the erosion of trust within Nigerian society. Trust in one another, trust in institutions, and trust in the basic decency of human interaction have all been compromised. We live in a society where motives are often questioned, where the first assumption is that everyone has something to hide or a hidden agenda. This pervasive mistrust makes it difficult for people to act altruistically, especially in situations involving strangers.
So, how do we overcome these challenges? How do we foster a culture where people feel safe and empowered to help others in need? How do we ensure that victims of emergencies receive the care they need without putting their helpers at risk?
One crucial step is education and awareness. Understanding basic first aid is an essential skill that can empower individuals to provide immediate assistance in emergencies. For example, if you encounter someone unresponsive, bleeding, or semi-conscious, knowing how to administer first aid can be the difference between life and death. Training more people in these skills and making first aid kits more readily available could improve the chances of survival for accident victims.
Another important aspect is the reliability and accessibility of emergency services. The current system, where emergency numbers like “112” and “767” are often unreachable or slow to respond, needs a complete overhaul. Emergency services should be adequately funded, staffed, and equipped to handle crises promptly. This will not only save lives but also restore public confidence in the system.
Hospitals, too, must be part of the solution. It is disheartening to think that someone in need of urgent medical care could be turned away due to an inability to pay or a lack of resources. While the financial realities of healthcare cannot be ignored, there should be policies in place that ensure immediate care for emergency cases, with payments and other formalities handled after the patient is stabilized.
The role of law enforcement is equally critical. Police officers should be trained to distinguish between suspects and Good Samaritans, and they should be encouraged to support rather than penalize those who step up to help in emergencies. This would require a significant cultural shift within law enforcement agencies, moving away from a presumption of guilt towards a more nuanced understanding of public safety.
Finally, we need to rebuild trust within our communities. This is not a task that can be accomplished overnight, but it is essential for the well-being of our society. By fostering a culture of empathy, understanding, and mutual respect, we can create an environment where people are more willing to help one another without fear of retribution.
In conclusion, the travails of the Nigerian Samaritan reflect deeper societal issues that need to be addressed. The fear of helping others, the mistrust in institutions, and the potential consequences of doing the right thing are all barriers that prevent us from building a more compassionate and responsive society. However, by educating ourselves, demanding better from our institutions, and fostering a culture of trust and empathy, we can begin to overcome these challenges. After all, we never know when we might find ourselves in need of help, and when that time comes, we will hope that someone will be there to act as our Good Samaritan. This is the way I see things today.