Arrested in Nigeria (well almost)
Okay here is another story for you in the seventies in Apapa.
I honestly can't remember the name of the ship but during a voyage to Lagos I happened to have invitation ashore at Apapa. The Padre had been on board and asked me if I would give a small talk to some teenagers visiting the Mission to Seamen. They wanted to know about life in England and would I bring some pictures with me.
I told the guys on board where I was going and as the Mission was only around the corner from where the ship was berthed I walked it. I felt quite proud as I stepped off the gangway with a folder of pictures and information under my arm.
I had been warned not to talk to anyone. I was also informed I had to be careful due to the soldiers on the quay. Some of the guys had said they if they wore a red sash they could shoot to kill without question. Now whether or not this was true I wasn't going to hang around to find out. I almost ran across the quay and could see the building I was supposed to visit.
Pushing through a multitude of black faces I heard a voice behind me but took no notice because it couldn't possibly be for me.
'Hey YOU Madam' called the voice.
I kept on walking.
'Hey MADAM, why you no speak to me when I speak to you?'
I ignored the voice, it wasn't directed at me and then it happened...
A big black hand came on my shoulder.
'I speak to you and you no answer me you white trash woman.'
It was a soldier in uniform - with a red sash.
Politely I apologised and said I was sorry I hadn't realised he was speaking to me.
He didn't believe me and the conversation that followed was rather frightening.
'I take you to police station, you no answer an officer of de law and and dat is an offence.'
Fortunately one of the officers on our ship was passing on the deck and saw what happened (thank you Peter) he called to his colleagues who came running down to rescue me.
As soon as the soldier saw them coming he released me from his grip saying 'You go you white trash woman, you go.' He looked at me as if I was a piece of rubbish.
They managed to persuade the soldier I belonged on the ship -' She be Officer's wife, you no right to touch her.'
With some bargaining we all went back to the ship and within half an hour one of the guys offered to take me to the mission to avoid disappointment. I mean the Mission was only about 100 steps from the gangway. So I almost got arrested - just imagine if I had, I might never have been writing this story.
Lin