I was just relaxing in front of my late grandfather's house after I had come out of the mosque when something happened that set my mind thinking and astonished that such a thing was still happening.
A man stopped on a motorcycle carrying a woman with a baby strapped to her back. He parked the motorcycle by the road side while the woman waited for him as he crossed over to where I was sitting. I thought he was going to ask for directions to where he was going... After exchanging pleasantries, he said he was a traditional medicine man and was looking for a place to stay with his family while he offered his services to the general public.
Promptly, I told him to go to the District/Village Head's house who knows what to do about such things. He said he had been there and that they were not in town. I said I was sorry, there was nothing I could do about that and sent him away.
I know such kinds of people who are nothing but scammers who take advantage of ignorant people, especially illiterate women, and either sold them medicines that never worked or duped them by selling them false charms that never worked.
I thought such things didn't happen anymore, until I remembered recently, Katsina State Governor had to close down one of such places along Daura-Katsina road and sent the traditional medicine man packing. The man had turned his shrine into Mecca of sorts where people, mostly women, trooped to seek assistance from him.
Besides, at this time of security challenges, how can you accommodate someone you never know about?
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