BY TONY OKAFOR
In the midst of chaos and frustration, a simple act of kindness can give hope.
For one family, a chance encounter with a police officer on a rainy morning turned a potentially disastrous situation into a shining example of humanity in uniform.
It was 6am on that fateful Friday May 2, 2025, and a couple had to drop off their daughter at OKEB filling station, Amawbia, where she would join a family friend’s vehicle to head to Onitsha for a 9 am exam.
But fate had other plans. As they inched closer to their destination, their car’s fuel gauge hit rock bottom, stranding them near Dunamis Church on the Expressway.
The darkness of the rainy morning seemed to mirror their desperation.
The husband set out on foot to find an open filling station, trekking half a kilometer to three different stations, only to return empty-handed.
Meanwhile, the family friend navigated through the rain to reach them and picked their daughter to Onitsha for the exam.
As the morning wore on, the wife approached a nearby police checkpoint, where she met Anthony Ella, a policeman in mufti who would change their morning.
Without hesitation, Anthony gathered empty water bottles and searched for fuel, paying out of his own pocket to purchase the fuel. He returned to the checkpoint and helped pour the fuel into the tank.
The husband was overwhelmed with gratitude, thanking Anthony as he walked back to the checkpoint.
In that moment, the couple realized that even in darkness, there are good people like Anthony who shine a light of hope.
Anthony’s actions replicated the timeless story of the Good Samaritan , embodying kindness and compassion.
His selfless act allowed the family to get back on the road, and the husband felt a sense of pride and faith in the police force, saying, “The police can be a friend.”
Anthony’s story offers a glimmer of hope, showing that small acts of kindness can make a big difference, inspiring others to spread compassion and empathy.
