The landlord collected rent from 3 of us for the same flat and disappeared

Two years ago I found this 'cheap' 2-bedroom in Lekki. The rent was ₦1.2m for the year, which should have told me something. But I was tired of couch-surfing after my Mushin place got too small for me and my two younger ones.

The landlord was this soft-spoken Igbo man with a big Bible. He prayed with me before I paid. I paid everything, moved in, bought curtains and a small fridge.

Three weeks later, another girl opened my door with her own keys. We just stood there looking at each other. Then a guy came two days after. Same flat. Same landlord. Same prayer.

We reported. He was gone. Phone off. His 'office' was an empty shop. I had to move back to my mother's place in Mushin and hide my face. The shame was worse than the money.

What I learned: if rent is too cheap for the area, ask questions. Ask neighbours. Ask the estate security. Ask God to give you sense before you release money.