Comments on: Goat Detained Over Armed Robbery

By: Bukkie

Bukkie — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:22:54 +0000

I am Nigerian and I must confess I am very against the generalization of backwardness of the nation. Just because Heavens gate folks decided on a wrong path does not make everyone from that country an idiot. There are people with strange beliefs just because I dont subscribe to it does not make me respect them less.
Perhaps I am being defensive but assuming that the responders to this article are more read or intelligent or outspoken is just a matter of perspective. The elders say “when you live in your village, you think your fathers house is the biggest”. Leave your little mind world and respect the opinion of others.
I think it is a stupid thing to think but not a stupid people to think it,

By: Clyde

Clyde — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:04:37 +0000

Mmmm, for a young Nigerian policeman, to what purpose might a goat be turned in the dimly lit privacy of the cell?

By: Digital Dame

Digital Dame — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:03:31 +0000

And to think this country (U.S.A.) almost elected a woman to the office of Vice President who attends a church where witch-hunting pastors from Africa are welcomed.

By: Elliott

Elliott — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:48:50 +0000

He’s taking the fall for somebody else.

He’s a scapegoat.

By: Valis

Valis — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:21:13 +0000

This is Africa folks. The sad thing is this is nothing unusual. We get stories like this all the time, witches, witchcraft, spirits, demons etc. It’s part of our culture (well, not mine, being an atheist and all…).

By: Volly

Volly — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:40:33 +0000

I hope the policeman who spoke sensibly has an escape plan for himself and his family. Otherwise, the villagers will soon “deduce” that he is in league with the devil for “defending” the goat, and they’ll be after them next. No joke.

Whatta world, whatta world…

By: “We cannot confirm the story, but the goat is in our custody” | I Eat Gravel

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 06:21:40 +0000

[...] Seriously. Police in Nigeria are holding a goat on suspicion of attempted armed robbery. [...]

By: Proto

Proto — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:31:53 +0000

@ dr.R.

That’s a good point, but I’m trying to figure out what country you are talking about. I’d assume you meant the US, but according to wikipedia the US is 20th in terms of education, just below Lithuania.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_Index

By: Jimminy Christmas

Jimminy Christmas — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:27:34 +0000

Hmmmmm? I wonder what’s going on here…

Could this goat actually be (wait for it…wait for it…*switch to Dana Carvey’s Church Lady voice*):

SAAAAATAN??????? Well isn’t that special.

By: dr.R.

dr.R. — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:34:00 +0000

Stupid, yes… But how educated are these people? How much access to education did they have in their life? How literate are they?

What is *really* stupid is to have the possibility to go to the finest schools and universities in the world, to have access to the finest libraries in the world, to be able to go online virtually everywhere and study and discuss the most diverse aspects of the world, and *still* believe that the earth was created 6,000 years ago. Or *still* think that Paris Hilton is an interesting person. Or *still* think that sports or fashion is the most important thing in life. Or *still* write nonsensical blog replies. Or… Well, you get an idea.

By: bigjohn756

bigjohn756 — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:58:07 +0000

Hey, these guys aren’t so stupid. They want the goat in custody so they can shoot it when it tries to escape. Then they can eat it.

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:23:29 +0000

“What a strange world of superstition these folks must live in.”

When was 13 I attended a church service where we cast out a demon from a woman. My life in church was no different just a different goat……

Great story!

By: Yaron

Yaron — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:11:27 +0000

@Metro, that probably depends on the penalty for attempted armed robbery relative to the price of a goat.
If it happens to just be a reasonable fine, you can go to the station, pay the fine on behalf of your missing uncle, take him home, and start making stew and jerky.
Or, if it’s severe, agree to an execution for armed robbery and witchcraft, and just ask for the body so you can give him a proper burial once the evil soul is gone…

By: Metro

Metro — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:41:28 +0000

I suppose it’s possible that the cops are simply pandering to local prejudice by arresting the goat? Next it will be said to be “helping with our inquiries” and then quietly released.

However, if I were a local, I’d hesitate to submit any missing persons reports for a couple of weeks.

By: alphonsuspeck

alphonsuspeck — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:39:40 +0000

You know, I was just explaining how quantum physics will forever remain counter-intuitive. But I *have* to be wrong. If people will believe this, they will believe anything.

I hope the goat was read his Mir-baaaaaa-nda rights.