As the voice of the muezzin at the National Mosque in Abuja rang out through the air, calling on all Muslim faithful to report for the Subh Salat, a student of the University of Abuja sat in a small car, an IED strapped to his body. The car was parked close to the entrance to the hospital’s reception area. He brought out his phone from his pocket. He dialled the only number saved in it.
‘As-Salamu ‘alaykum, Sheikh.’
‘Brother.’
‘Allah has done His work the way He wills—’
‘What is it, my friend?’
‘He is dead.’
‘How? You have not carried out the operation. So what do you mean?’
‘There is a lot of commotion here. They found him in his bed, dead.’
Sheikh Seko hissed. ‘It seems those Southern Shaitans got to him before us. Now, they take the glory.’
There was silence for a while.
‘He killed our friend, his father. His soul will burn in hell. He deserves death.’
Sheikh Seko rang off. The death of the Chief had been a big blow to his plans. He took the murder as a personal attack against him and was determined to seek revenge.
Alhamdulillah! he thought. The little Shaitan is dead.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of Satan. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10-12
The Holy Bible
And Shaitan will say when the matter has been decided: ‘Verily, Allah promised you a promise of truth. And I too promised you, but I betrayed you. I had no authority over you except that I called you, and you responded to me. So blame me not, but blame yourselves. I cannot help you, nor can you help me. I deny your former act in associating me as a partner with Allah. Verily, there is a painful torment for the wrongdoers.
Surah 14:22
The Holy Qur’an
Acknowledgement
Many years ago, in 2007, when this story came to me and forced me to tell it, I was lucky to have a friend who listened to it and who, a few years later, would travel down to Enugu to read the first drafts – thanks Amala DonCharles Mmaduka, I am proud that you are now a movie star.
I would like to thank my sister, Adora Udenwe Achi, who read all the drafts in 2009. And to my friends in Enugu who listened to this story for five years and made suggestions – for the laughter and arguments – Michael Iloechuba, Godwin Nwabude, Uchenna Umezurike and Chinedu Achigamonye.
For all the books, over a thousand of them, thanks to my father, Chief Michael Udenwe. For your stories and love, my sweet mother, Felicia Udenwe. For family and comfort, Oketa, Adora, Ujunwa, Ifunanya, Jacinta, Oforbuike, Nduka and Davingson. Chief J.O.J Oketa. Kizito Nwovu. Simeon Opoke. Ifeyinwa Nzeadi Bello – the best aunt in the whole world. Thanks to the greatest of all men Chief Fabian Mmuoneke (Onodugo) for believing in me, and to my beloved godmother, Dr. Franca Ogba, for your motherly love.
My sincere thanks goes to my friend and editor, Jazzmine Breary, for believing in me and then believing in Satans & Shaitans more, to Tamsin Shelton for your time and commitment towards making this work better, and to my publisher, Valerie Brandes, and the entire Jacaranda Books family.
To the staff of the National Library Enugu, and the Enugu State Library, thanks for allowing me extensive use of your materials and space. And to those on the same mission as me: Osemome Ndebbio, Diana Eke, and Chioma Iwunze – especially to Osemome for your inputs and Diana for being blunt and caring. And Nwamaka Okpo thank you for being there, always.
My sincere greetings go to my sweetheart, Ainehi Edoro, for believing, and to Jayne Bauling for your love. Karen Jennings, for finding time to read my stories, and to Trisha Nicholson, Andrew Hill and Nora Vasconcelos – for believing that distance is just kilometres and could be breached with commitment and love (for the blog tour that sealed our union).
For teaching me to commit my writings and knowledge to building the African literary tradition, my literary godfather, advisor, brother and confidant, Mukoma Wa Ngugi. Chika Unigwe, for our friendship and for all you have done. Ivor Hartmann, for the skills you shared that helped me to improve my style.
I want to thank Paul Liam for telling people about me always, Chinwoke for the gift, and Kofi Sackey for your poems. To Wale Okediran for believing that we live for the society. Thanks to my staff for your time, Chinedu Nwasum, Emeka Ugwu, Osondu Achi, Davingson Onwuakpa, Ogonna Obaji and Onyeka Ezema – together we have been both writers and activists. I want to thank you for giving me knowledge and friendship, Dr. Stella Mbeze and Dr. Tim Adibe.
To all my friends who contributed knowledge: Jamiu Akangbe, Osama Mourad, Gihan Abou Zeid and a few that would rather remain anonymous – particularly those in the Department of State Security – for allowing me call you up at nights, and special thanks to Jamiu, for the gift of the Hadith.
Thanks once again, Jazzmine Breary, my editor, publicist and friend – for tolerating my idiosyncrasies, my stubbornness, for prodding me gently throughout the editorial and publication process, for Satans and Shaitans.
Ekele nu oh, Obashibu l’ime igwe – for this gift.
Obinna Udenwe is one of the most prolific young short story writers in Southern Nigeria. Born in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, to a political family in Nigeria’s ruling party, Obinna became politically active at a young age, leading Ebonyi State Children’s Parliament and training with the British Council. Aged 19, he created the Ugreen Foundation, recognized by Ebonyi State government for its services amongst the youth.
Obinna has appeared in various national and local Nigerian radio, TV and print media, and international blogs, on key issues such as terrorism, youth unemployment, entrepreneurship, children’s rights and governance. He won the 2009 National Top 12 Award and the 2012 African International Achievers Award. His stories have appeared in 2013 Stories Naija Anthology, The Short Story is Dead, Long Live the Short Story and Dreams at Dawn. He has also written for several literary magazines, including The Kalahari Review, Tribe-write, Flair Magazine, Brittle Paper, Outside in Literary & Travel Magazine, ANA Review, and more.
Other titles by Jacaranda
ISBN 978-1-909762-18-3
ISBN 978-1-909762-04-6
ISBN 978-1-909762-02-2
ISBN 978-1-909762-03-9
ISBN 978-1-909762-01-5
ISBN 978-1-909762-00-8
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Satans and Shaitans Page 24