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Understanding Assault: A Crime with Serious Consequences

Introduction
Assault is any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury upon the person of another, when coupled with an apparent present ability to do so, and any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm.

Examples:
1. Physical contact that causes bodily harm or injury, it includes hitting, kicking, pushing, or using any object to inflict pain.
2. Attempting to harm someone or making them fear harm, threatening gestures, chasing someone, or brandishing a weapon can all be considered assault, even if no physical contact occurs.
3. Threatening or intimidating behavior, this is verbal threats, stalking, or other actions that create a reasonable fear of imminent harm fall under assault.

Legal Consequence
The Nigerian legal system clearly outlines the consequences of assault.
Section 355 of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria states the punishment of assault to be "Any person who unlawfully assaults another and thereby does him harm, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years."

Conclusion
Assault is a punishable offense in Nigeria, regardless of its severity. This understanding should encourage us to avoid any actions that could lead to assault charges and protect the physical and emotional safety of ourselves and others.

Remember, open communication and conflict resolution techniques can help avoid situations that might lead to assault.

References:
1. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Pearson Education Limited.
2. Criminal Code Act of Nigeria

This is a publication of the Correctional Service Visitation Committee (CSVC) of the Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria, University of Ibadan (MSSNUI).