Ada Anioma: A Story Of Delayed Expectations

By Patrick Omagbemi

The Biblical Book of Proverbs 13:12 (KJV) says: Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

The preceding Biblical verse can be likened to the various, very anxious narratives and speculations that abounded while the comely Hon Joan Onyemeachi Mrakpor (Ada Anioma) was in travail in the hands of kidnappers. The trail of blood, sorrow and tears of the incident left many in disbelief and grief. Deep condolences must go to the families of those who lost their lives in the process. They gave all. They should be remembered as heroes.

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While negative and positive speculations about her wellbeing and whereabouts awashed the media, not only in a justifiable professional rush to achieve “Breaking News”, but to prompt and provoke public opinion leading to the intensification of security intelligence in efforts to secure her freedom.

It is understandable that the various narratives stem out of a desired expectation. An expectation to secure her freedom alive in good health and spirit, even though initial reports were disappointingly fatal and misleading, the positive expectation of the majority of well-meaning concerns remained divinely intact.

Some of the abounded reports of the kidnapping ascribed to political undertones, others pointed to the prevailing faulty security architecture, which they rightly recommended needed upgrading.

It is therefore not surprising that stemming from the legitimate concerns, the PRO Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, faced an unprecedented barrage of enquiries from the media to confirm or deny the various speculations as they arise. The heat to the extent of which, as it was reported, made him to avoid the Press. Perhaps the daily bombardment of enquiries became pestering and tested his public relation skills to the brink, compelling him to avoid the press at some point, while appraising whether to continue his line of duty as PRO.

Like the ‘Great Expectation’ written by renowned British Authour, Charles Dickens, the desired news of the freedom of Hon Joan Onyemeachi Mrakpor from the kidnappers lair came as a welcomed relief. The confirmation of which was done by SP Bright Edafe FPRO, no doubt brought him relief too.

The chronology of the kidnapping saga is didactic. It once again focuses in x-ray the security architecture of our surroundings, revealing a continuos need to overhaul them using digital and technological approach. Here, it is worthy to recall the boldness of citizen reporters at the Niger riverside who provided the first intelligence documented through their phone cameras. It recorded the last minute events of the kidnapping process which has since gone viral. The audio/visual it depicted gave a report that showed direction and valuable insight.

Hence, the importance of mounting realtime Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at strategic, public areas across Delta State will assist in fighting crime. Its data gathering capacity in addition to forensic analysis is a potent approach to gathering useful intelligence in identifying and prosecuting criminals and criminality. This approach obtains in developed societies where it is helping massively in Intel gathering.

Additionally, the various speculations published in different media helped hyped the panic and uncertainty of the fate of now released resilient Hon Joan Mrakpor. The rush to beat deadlines and make exclusive News Headlines became more important than fact checking. But that is journalism some would argue, giving credence to the fact that there are not only two sides to every story, but multiple angles to a story.

Alas, while initial fatal reports were weakening, it did harm by lobotomizing the emotions of many whose positive desire it was to see her regain freedom in safety. No doubt, the desired news of the Expected Expectation of her release brings succour to her immediate family, relatives, friends and well wishers, as well as the general public. It gladness the heart that it ended in her safe return and in praise.

Indeed, as said in Proverbs 13:12 (KJV): “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”