A mentally sick man, identified simply
as Ukeme, has been going around major streets in Calabar, Cross River
State clearing dirts from gutters and walkways with his bare hands.
Residents of the Eta-Agbor area and IBB Way on Saturday told PUNCH Metro that Ukeme had been doing that for six years.
Our correspondent, who observed the man,
who is believed to be in his 40s, noted that he deposited the dirts in
any nearby refuse bin.
Attempts to speak with Ukeme did not elicit the envisaged response as he kept murmuring “Thank you Jesus.”
However, an auto mechanic whose
workshop is located along Eta-Agbor lane, Mr. Abel Nkeruwe, said Ukeme
was by training a panel beater.
Nkeruwe, who said he shared the same
workshop with Ukeme, added he had been clearing dirt from the road and
drains around the area and other adjourning streets in the last couple
of years.
He noted that Ukeme‘s mental illness
became obvious since 2008 but that it did not deter him from coming to
the workshop whenever he was contacted to do a job.
Nkeruwe said, “As at 2001, he had
completed his training as a professional panel beater. No matter the
degree of accident, Ukeme will make attempt to bring the vehicle back to
shape. Even in his state, he still works.
“He was already making money at that time because he was one among the best in Calabar.”
Nkeruwe added that Ukeme also cleared
dirt from the road and drains around the Airport Police Station located
along the busy IBB Way, adding that policemen always protected him from
public molestation.
Another artisan, who sprays vehicles, Mr. Moses Akpa, attributed Ukeme’s problem to intake of marijuana.
Akpa, who said he first came in contact
with Ukeme three years ago, said despite his mental state, he still came
up with brilliant idea’s when he was contacted to give his advice on a
damaged Nissan Primera that was brought for repairs.
He also said Ukeme had twice been taken to the psychiatric hospital for rehabilitation.
“There was a woman, who felt touched and
took him to the psychiatric hospital for rehabilitation but he escaped.
He smokes marijuana till date. There was a day I took marijuana from
him and he pursued me to collect it back,” Akpa said.
No comments:
Post a Comment