Trouble In Lagos

In "Trouble in Lagos," young brothers Uka and Okwu are taken by their uncle Ikemefuna to live with wealthy Chief Odogwu as apprentices. Immediately terrified by rumors that Odogwu is a ritualist, they reject his food, fearing poison, and believe their uncle has sold them for a sacrifice. Their first night is spent awake in panic, making them late the next day, which earns them a strict warning from Odogwu. Consumed by fear, they have bad dreams about Odogwu killing them. Desperate for safety, they go to a native doctor who promises spiritual protection but demands 50,000 naira. Having no money, Uka and Okwu decide to steal from Odogwu himself. They take his goods and money from his shop to pay the doctor. The doctor then tells them they must keep paying to renew the protection, forcing them to steal more and more. As Odogwu’s stock keeps disappearing, he becomes angry and starts searching for his missing vault keys. Uka and Okwu, now deep in their crime, poison the house girl’s food to make her sleep so they can search Odogwu’s private room for evidence or more money. They find nothing suspicious—no ritual items at all. Odogwu catches them in the act. He angrily reveals he is not a ritualist; he was just a strict businessman trying to teach them a trade. The brothers realize the terrible truth: the native doctor tricked them into stealing, and their own paranoia destroyed a real chance at a better life. They are thrown out, left with nothing, duped by their own fear.