Dickson Igwe. Photo: VINO

The late Nickera Smith. Photo: Provided

And make no mistake, Nickera Smith’s death is a national tragedy, and an awful crime. It is a wakeup call for a small sleepy community called the [British] Virgin Islands. A young woman: someone’s dear child is dead. Her death is a terrible murder, and a scar on this community.

But there is a second lesson in this tragedy. Nickera’s murder says something about a subset of people resident in this tiny community, and their level of callousness. It tells the untold story of a secrecy and deception in VI society that is very real. It is a subculture that is very unhealthy for any community or society.

And too many people in this country believe violence and revenge are the answer to even the simplest disagreements. This is especially so with young people. Yes, that is one reason the prison is presently filled to the brim, and there are so many unsolved murders.

The VI is too small for callous and vengeful behaviour. The simplest quarrel has implications. The person you quarrel with is probably a neighbour, or lives a stone throw away. In a small community you are always bouncing into each other. They are so wrong who fail to understand that you never really get away with violence and murder. If the world is a cycle the VI is a speck. Yes, Lucifer is alive and well in the VI.

Now, the loss of a child is without measure. It is the worst loss a person can experience. Children are supposed to bury their parents, not the other way around.

And it is right the police are treating this crime as top priority. A community is judged ultimately by issues of safety and security, especially the safety of the most vulnerable. The greatest responsibility of governance is the safety and security of the community. How safe and secure are the most vulnerable: the children especially? That is what the Nickera Smith tragedy asks.

Nickera had everything to live for. She had a good job with great prospects. She was a beautiful person. She was very young and had a great future ahead of her.

When a child disappears and is later found dead, everyone in the community feels a tinge of guilt mixed with pain and sorrow. And rightly so: in a tiny country the disappearance of anyone should be of grave concern, especially a child. In this Old Boys estimation, Nickera was young enough to be his daughter. She was still a child.

And, unlike on a continental nation, there are fewer options to kill, hide, and then dispose of a precious life in a tiny geography without people knowing. Yes, it should not happen here. And that is not this Old Boy being sentimental or delusionary.

Someone knows what happened to Nickera Smith, apart from the perpetrator of this terrible crime. This is a tiny community.

There is a saying, “everyone in the British Virgin Islands is related.” Still, there is no excuse shielding a criminal relation, or so called friend. This is a religious community. People love to state in these islands that nothing is hidden from God. So, cast out the guilty in this matter and prove your religiosity if you call yourself a Christian and know who did this terrible deed. Or are you a religious hypocrite, which is another prominent part of the subculture of these paradise islands.

Ask: where did this child spend most of her time? Who were her friends? What were her favourite things? Who were her favourite people? Where were her favourite places? Was her behaviour unusual before she disappeared? Did she get in with some new crowd? Is there a motive for killing her? Did she have a disagreement with someone that was especially nasty? Who saw her for the last time? Was she seen in a specific vehicle that is known?  

There is a feeling that the [British] Virgin Islands is a very safe destination. And that is a valid assertion. However, it just takes a few bad eggs in a community of 35,000 to turn the country into a place where murder is rife, and crime rampant. The Nickera Smith matter takes the image of safety in the VI down a peg.

It does not take much for a community to turn from safe to unsafe. The VI is becoming increasingly unsafe, sadly. Then, just look across the channel at the United States Virgin Islands. Is that what these Islands in the Sun want to become in terms of safety and security, with scores of murders every year?

Do not hesitate to inform the police if you know anything at all about the Nickera Smith matter. If you have doubts about the confidentiality of the information you want to share then use the confidential line where there is no need to share your name and details. I am sure that if you call the police and state that you have information but are hesitant to give your name they will direct your call accordingly.

Talk to one of the new expatriate officers who have no familial links with the community if you feel weary about sharing information with local officers.

And let all residents learn from this tragedy. Be vigilant always. Take nothing for granted. Ask where your children are at all times. Know where they are. Keep an eye out for young children and young people, or the mentally challenged. Be open with your children. Encourage your children to tell you of their whereabouts always. Take a note of your child’s friends, and learn as much as you can about them.

Observe and report suspicious activity. You might just be able to prevent another Nickera Smith tragedy.

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