‘This is Sally Wilson, BBC in Abuja, Nigeria. What we know is that insurgents attacked a Baptist mission in Borno State to the northeast of Abuja five weeks ago. We also know that the leader of the mission was Pastor Zebediah Johnson, an American citizen, originally from Mississippi. It is believed that his wife, Mary, was with him as well as three other Western citizens. There are reported deaths.’
‘It has to be the Nigerian military; our people would not have said anything,’ Harry said.
‘I had attempted to blanket news of the situation through an old friend of mine, but it appears we have not been successful. Let me contact him. See what we can do to prevent any further news getting out,’ Steve said.
To Steve, he was Abdul, to those under his command he was Lt General Abdul Ibrahim, Chief of Defence Staff, Nigeria and the senior military officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces. ‘Abdul, I need your assistance. You’ve seen the news reports, about the mission attack we were keeping quiet about until we rescued the women.’
They had met in the USA at military training school some years previous. Captain Ibrahim and Steve formed a solid friendship during some very strenuous nighttime activities. They always attempted to meet up when Steve was in the country. Their last meeting had been two weeks previous at the Radisson Blu in Lagos.
Important as he was, he was still a regular guy who liked to reminisce over a good meal about that particular ‘ornery Sergeant Major’ who had them crawling through the mud night after night in training.
‘I’ll check, but we had a detachment taken by Boko Haram ten days ago. Sometimes they join the rebels, some are tortured.’
‘Could it be Boko Haram feeding the media?’ asked Steve.
‘It is possible. Their leader, Mohammad Murtada, is an educated and astute man.’
‘That is a remarkably benevolent statement you have made regarding your enemy.’
‘It is neither remarkable nor benevolent,’ said Abdul. ‘Did we not study the “Art of War”?’
‘If you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperilled in a hundred battles...’ Steve quoted. ‘If you do not know your enemies or yourself, you will be imperilled in every single battle.’
‘You remember. That was drummed into us at training school.’
‘How could we ever forget?’
‘There is an added complication now. The Nigerian military will need to become involved.’
‘You agreed they would keep a low profile. Allow us to rescue the women.’
‘I did, and I still honour that agreement. But the matter is out of my control.’
‘Explain.’
‘The Western media asked the President of my country a direct question. What is his country’s military doing about the situation? He’s also had the American President and the British Prime Minister on the phone urging action.’
‘This is Sally Wilson, BBC in Abuja, Nigeria. We have just received information that the attack on the Baptist mission in Northern Nigeria has resulted in the deaths of three Westerners. The whereabouts of two more Westerners remain unknown, but it is believed they are captives of Boko Haram. Further details will be reported as soon as they become available. We are attempting to get a team into the region.’
‘Once they reveal they are females we will have their governments bringing in military detachments,’ Harry said.
‘Yanny, any change on the ransom demands?’ Steve asked.
‘They are becoming more aggressive in their tone. Threatening death if any military force attempts a rescue.’
‘They’ll tighten their security. It’s going to be more difficult,’ Harry said.
‘We need to move quickly. The Nigerian military is forced to act and the last thing we want is them going in with guns blazing.’ Steve detailed the situation. ‘My friend has done the best he can, but even he can’t hold off the military.’
‘What’s the word from Phil?’ Yanny asked.
‘It’s all quiet there at the present moment,’ said Harry. ‘The Sheikh returned; it appears he may have brought back some more Nigerian girls. We’ll need to take them as well when we rescue Kate.’
‘Our concern is Kate,’ said Steve. ‘Their rescue is secondary.’
‘That is callous.’ Yanny offended by his remark.
‘It sounds callous, but there may be some resistance, some violence. If we can get them out, we will.’
‘You sounded racist.’
‘You know I am not a racist, just realistic. We must not lose sight of the primary target. Once secured, we will attempt to take them as well.’
‘Phil mentioned a local woman, Fatima.’
‘We take her,’ said Steve. ‘She appears to have helped Kate. Leaving her behind, I agree, would be callous.’
‘This is Sally Wilson, BBC in Abuja, Nigeria updating. There have been dramatic developments regarding the attack on the Baptist mission to the North of Abuja. We now know that Boko Haram has taken two hostages, Kate McDonald, an American citizen, and Helen Campbell, a British citizen. Their current location is unknown. Pastor Zebediah Johnson, his wife, Mary Johnson, and Duncan Nicholson, American citizens, are confirmed dead.’
As soon as the BBC made the announcement, Abdul was on the phone to Steve. ‘I cannot keep the military out now, you must realise the situation. The President is in emergency council, I have been summoned.’
‘Abdul, I understand. The best approach is perhaps a joint operation – my people leading, your people taking the credit. See if the President will be appeased; tell him there is a rescue plan. Don’t mention Chad at the present moment, but we will need flyover permission to cross into their airspace.’
‘I will talk to the President. A swift, decisive recovery; he may go for that. His is looking to regain credibility here; he does not want the blood of the two women placed against him due to his inaction.’
***
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was visibly annoyed that the Western media had found out about something in his own country before he did. ‘We are being made to look like incompetent fools.’
Timipre Karibo, a Christian from the southern state of Bayelsa in the Niger Delta, had little in common with those committing the insurgency in the north. Elected the leader of his country two years previously, he had based his campaign on a platform of significantly reducing the insurgents’ influence in the north. The only problem was that his attempts at reducing their power had achieved little; in fact, they had become more brazen and violent.
Any attempt at discussion or compromise came to nought. They did not trust him, and he did not trust them. He was not of their religion, and there was a history of his making disparaging remarks regarding the influence of Islam in a Christian country.
The President’s discussion with his senior military person was blunt and to the point. ‘I based my election campaign on significantly dealing with these people, yet here they are, taking white women. What am I able to say in our defence? I will tell you, nothing!’
Lt General Abdul Ibrahim, Chief of Defence and Steve’s friend, was at the end of an especially severe ear bashing from the President of his country. He thought that the President was justified in his annoyance.
Karibo, an honest, hardworking and seemingly incorruptible politician, was what the Nigerian people deserved. It upset Abdul that he had deceived him for so long.
He had kept quiet about the two women as a favour to Steve. He knew of the work that Steve’s people were involved in and he understood the need for secrecy.
‘It is clear we need to mobilise our troops in the north and to go after the terrorists,’ the President said. ‘Failure on our part to act will bring universal condemnation.’
‘It is a dangerous move,’ replied Abdul. ‘If the fundamentalists know we are coming, they will disperse. I recommend no action until it is clear as to how we can mobilise a measured response.’ He tried to put forward a rational case, but he could understand his leader’s stand on th
e issue.
‘Do we know where they are? Tell me that, Abdul, and please be direct and truthful. Within the confines of this room, we can and must talk freely.’
‘We know where the women are. A company specialised in such activities are planning a rescue in the next few days.’ He felt he could be honest with his President.
‘Then we must be involved,’ replied the President. ‘We must be seen to be an integral part of the rescue. We must reclaim our honour. There have been too many of these instances and we have not been able to rescue more than a few.’
‘Mr President, the company is highly specialised. They are the same group of people who rescued the expatriate oil workers down in the south a few weeks ago. I know the CEO of the company extremely well; we were on military training together some years ago in the USA. He is a good friend of mine. He is currently in Port Harcourt coordinating the rescue of the two women.’
‘Then, I want to meet with him. Ensure he is here in my office within the next day.’
***
Lt General Abdul Ibrahim, Chief of Defence Staff, Nigeria and the senior military officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces phoned his friend. ‘Steve, the President wants to meet you. Can you be here tomorrow morning? I’ve provisionally booked Flight 252 at 8.30 am on Arik Air,’
‘Okay,’ said Steve. ‘Book an extra seat for Bob McDonald, Kate’s father. He has been funding our activities up till now.’
A meeting with the President of a country normally would have been an auspicious occasion, but to Steve, it was not. The interest of the Western media and the involvement of the Nigerian government were both complications that he would have preferred to avoid.
The next day’s arrival at the small and cramped airport in Abuja was not a welcoming site to Steve and Bob McDonald. ‘Mr McDonald, would you care to comment?’ a reporter asked Bob as his cleared arrivals.
‘As the father of one of the kidnapped women, would you be able to tell us how they are?’ asked another.
‘CNN, as an American and a father, would you be prepared to comment on the response of the Nigerian government? Have they done enough? What do they intend to do? What do you know?’
‘How soon will it be before there is a rescue attempt?’
It took the intervention of the police waving batons to regain control of the situation. Steve and Bob were hustled into a secure room at the airport.
‘How did they know we were coming?’ Bob asked.
‘We underestimated them,’ said Steve. ‘They are like vultures, scavenging over the bones.’
‘This is not good for the girls’ safety, is it?’ Bob asked.
‘Unfortunately it only makes the situation worse.’
Twenty minutes later, the door at the rear of the room opened.
‘I am Captain Namadi Akintola.’ An office, smartly dressed in the uniform of the Nigerian Air Force presented himself at the door with a salute. ‘Lt General Ibrahim offers his apologies. I am to convey you to the President’s residence.’
‘You don’t intend us to go through that madness out front?’ Bob said.
‘I understand your desire to avoid that madness, as you say. No, I am the chief pilot of the President’s personal helicopter. It is waiting outside on the apron. I will fly you there.’
After being hounded by the world’s press, they were transposed onto a ten-minute flight in a superbly presented and luxurious Bell helicopter. Landing on the front lawn, they were accompanied in to the building by an exceedingly polite servant.
At the appointed time, the President of the Republic of Nigeria, Timipre Karibo, together with Lt General Abdul Ibrahim, Steve Case and Bob McDonald met at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
‘Welcome, gentlemen,’ the President said. ‘I am pleased to see you here, although I wish it could be under more agreeable circumstances. Mr McDonald, I can fully understand the pressure and strain that you must be under at the present moment.’
‘Thank you, Mr President, it is indeed difficult. I have every confidence in Steve and his people, and we would appreciate any assistance that can be given.’
‘Lt General Ibrahim, I believe we should ask Mr Case to give an update as to the situation and as to what assistance we can give,’ the President said. It was a formal occasion with the President and full titles were the order of the day.
‘Thank you, Mr President,’ replied Steve. ‘The situation has changed dramatically due to the interest of the Western media. We need to bring our rescue dates forward.’
‘You must rely on us to assist you in any way,’ said the President.
‘Let me elaborate on what we do know and where we would appreciate assistance.’ Steve had quickly put together a PowerPoint presentation showing the salient facts.
‘Firstly,’ he continued, ‘we know where the two women are. Helen Campbell is in a camp close to the border with Chad. We have confirmed this visually. Kate McDonald, Bob’s daughter, is in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad. She is being held for ransom back to us, or for sale to a buyer in the Middle East. Sorry, Bob, we need to explain the reality to the President.’
‘That’s okay, Steve. It needs to be stated.’
‘What is the significance of the Middle East?’ the President asked.
‘She will be sold to the harem of a Saudi prince. They still exist, unfortunately, as do the traders who deal with such abhorrence.’
Bob was visibly upset, but the reality was the reality. It served no useful purpose to massage the words to save his feelings.
‘This is indeed tragic. We must avoid this at all costs,’ the President said. ‘You are aware they have taken many of our own women?’
‘Yes, some are in Chad, where Kate is located.’
‘Are you certain? Are they for sale to a harem as well?’
‘Some maybe, but we believe they are also sold into Cameroon as brides. And I must be honest, some are sold into brothels.’
‘Your honesty upsets me. I realise the truth must be stated, but it is not easy to hear.’ The President appeared shaken by what Steve had said. ‘My advisers have intimated this, but I have been inclined to see the best in people. To hear from you confirms what they have told me.’
‘The truth is unpalatable,’ said Steve, ‘but we cannot help if we don’t accept the reality.’
‘And the other girls, hundreds have been taken. What of them?’
‘They would have been given to the Boko Haram soldiers.’
‘We must rid our country of such barbaric people. We would appreciate your advice on how to do this.’
‘Gladly, but first we must focus on the two women.’
‘We must also bring back our own women in Chad as well.’ The President made it clear that this was non-negotiable.
‘We will bring them.’ Steve realised they were now also a primary concern. They would need to make provisions to bring all the women in the Sheikh’s compound. It was to be a bigger operation than he would have preferred. They needed the Nigerian military and the cooperation of their Chadian equivalent.
‘Are some of our own women in the camp where Miss Campbell is being held?’ the President asked.
‘I would say almost certainly. Possibly a large number.’
‘We must bring them back as well. Abdul, you are to take responsibility for this.’
‘Yes, Mr President.’
‘I must tell you; almost all will have been raped. Some may be pregnant or even with babies,’ Steve said.
‘They are our responsibility,’ said the President. ‘We will bring them back; give them the assistance to readjust to society.’
‘What do you want from us, Steve?’ Abdul asked.
‘Abdul,’ replied the President, ‘we will comply with all requirements. The only guarantee I want is that all the Nigerian girls are brought back safely as well.’
‘Mr President, I will ensure that we will bring all we can.’
‘When is the rescue planned for?’ the President asked.
‘Six days maximum,’ Steve replied.
***
Steve and Harry met Abdul early the next morning at Army headquarters in Abuja. Bob had returned to Port Harcourt. This time, there was not the ignominy of the airport. The presidential helicopter had deposited him close to the steps leading up to the presidential jet. A similar treatment was in place for him on arrival. If it were not for the circumstances, he would have regarded the day’s events, the meeting with the president, the VIP treatment, as surreal.
‘I’m bringing in a crack team of commandos,’ Abdul said. ‘They’ve just completed intensive training in the USA. Is fifty sufficient?’
‘Fifty should be plenty,’ replied Steve. ‘Once we’ve exited Helen from the camp, you can bring in as many as you like.’
‘Helicopters, aircraft – what do you need?’
‘We need helicopters, must be unmarked. Use civilian choppers if we have to,’ Harry said.
‘Two will need to be able to make the trip from Nigeria to N’Djamena,’ Steve added.
‘Aircraft to take us into the region,’ said Harry, ‘but we need to stay back at least one hundred and fifty kilometres, preferably two hundred.’
‘Anything else?’ Abdul asked.
‘Do you have any mobilisation close into the area of the camp?’ asked Harry.
‘It’s possible.’
‘They need to make a discreet retreat. Not a rush to the south – that may be seen as suspicious, a prelude to something more sinister. Just make it seem to be a sweeping exercise in a different region.’
‘We’ve pre-empted you on the helicopters. We have two Aerospatiale Pumas for the run into Chad. They can hold up to sixteen people,’ said Abdul.
‘That should be okay. Do we intend to bring the women back immediately on retrieval?’ Harry asked.
‘Any Nigerian women we release will come back on the helicopters.’ Abdul was clear on that point.
Terrorist: Three Book Boxed Set Page 87