‘No, we have not!’ shouted the pilot. ‘Can you not see the two trucks halfway up the runway, about one kilometre away?’
‘What do they matter?’ Saleh shouted back.
‘They matter. I cannot get the plane airborne in that distance. I need at least five hundred metres more.’
Abdullah picked up the radio. ‘You have tricked us. The runway is not clear for us to leave.’
‘We have not tricked you,’ Yanny replied. ‘You are free to go, once we have the woman. We always realised that, if you sensed an opportunity, you would take it.’
‘What proof have I that you will keep your word?’ Abdullah asked.
‘My word is honourable, yours is not.’
Abdullah turned to Saleh.
‘We have no option. If we kill the woman, they will blow up the plane. If we give them the woman, they will let us go. They are Westerners, even the Arabic-speaking woman. They may well honour the agreement.’
‘Then we must comply.’ Saleh saw no other option.
‘The cargo is yours. Send your pick up.’ Abdullah said disappointedly.
‘He is waiting to the left of the plane,’ said Yanny. ‘He will be there in two minutes.’
Yanny contacted Harry. ‘Pick up Kate. You are to stand off at about fifty metres and let them bring her to you.’
‘I’ll be there.’
‘Please send someone with the cargo if she is unable to walk,’ said Yanny to Abdullah. ‘Once she is seated in the vehicle, the block on the runway will pull back and you will be free to leave.’
‘She can walk,’ replied Abdullah. ‘She is conscious.’
The plane door duly opened and Kate, bleary-eyed, slowly exited the Princes’ jet by the front steps.
‘Over here, Kate,’ Harry shouted.
‘I am coming,’ she said in a whisper. He could barely hear her.
‘Kate, please get into the vehicle.’
Harry opened the vehicle door for Kate to enter
‘Fatima?’ she whispered. ‘How is she? Helen?’
‘They are both fine,’ ‘Fatima is with us. Helen is at a military base in Nigeria. Are you up to a helicopter flight?’ Harry asked.
‘Yes, that will be fine,’ she responded weakly.
‘I have Kate,’ Harry proclaimed. Yanny and Harry were ecstatic. In Maiduguri, there was immense jubilation.
The Prince’s jet commenced its take-off and rose into the air. As the pilot veered left, he saw the two Mikoyan MiG-29 combat aircraft of the Chadian Air Force lined up at the end of the runway that they had just left. It would be fifty-five minutes before the Prince’s Gulfstream left Chadian airspace and crossed the border into the Sudan. It was not going to make it.
Chapter 28
‘How is Kate?’ Steve asked over the radio.
‘She’s badly traumatised but appears to be unharmed,’ Yanny responded.
‘Is she lucid? Is she up to speaking with her parents?’
‘Probably, but she wants to talk to Helen first.’
‘Helen is here,’ replied Steve. ‘Is Kate ready?’
‘Yes.’
There was a pause and then Kate’s voice came over the radio.
‘Helen, it’s Kate. How are you?’
‘I am fine,’ said Helen. ‘We saw you on the television.’
‘I don’t remember much of it.’
‘We are all waiting here for you,’ replied Helen, crying with joy. ‘Are you coming soon?’
‘Soon, we are waiting for Victoria and Aisha and the other girls.’
‘Then we’ll see you when you get here.’
It was only a short conversation. Kate was still not communicative and it was apparent that she was not ready for the glare of cameras. The television crew that had been relaying the events at the airport in Chad were desperate for interviews with all the parties involved.
‘The television crew here want to put me on camera,’ Yanny told Steve. ‘Are you okay with that?’
‘Go ahead if you want to. Remember, we were just advisers. All credit is to go to the governments of Nigeria and Chad and their armed forces.’
‘Did the cameras pick up the Air Force jets taking off?’ asked Yanny.
‘Yes, it was clear as to their mission.’
‘I will ask Major Abbas and Captain Déby to speak on behalf of the Chadian government.’
‘How long before you leave?’
‘One to two hours. We need to ensure Kate has calmed down, and that the Nigerian girls are treated for any trauma. We’re also getting their names, so you can get their parents to the airport in Nigeria if possible.’
‘Fatima, how is she?’
‘She’s badly bruised, but no broken bones. Kate is clinging on to her.’
‘Fatima is coming as well on the helicopter?’ Steve asked.
‘She’s insistent.’
‘Bob wants to send his jet.’
‘Please don’t, Kate is not ready for her parents here.’
‘Okay,’ replied Steve. ‘I’m sure the Nigerian government will want their return to be on Nigerian military helicopters. They are making a major public relations exercise out of this.’
‘I will talk to the TV crew here, but not back in Nigeria. That’s for you to deal with.’
‘Agreed, but do not say too much. Leave it to their military to grab the credit.’
‘This is Jessica Samson, American Broadcasting Network in N’Djamena, Chad. I am standing on the apron of Hassan Djamous International Airport at the successful conclusion of the hostage rescue that we were fortunate to be able to relay live to all our viewers.
I have with me three of the main people involved in the rescue – Captain Mornadji Déby of the Chadian Air Force, Major Moussa Abbas of the Chadian Army, and Yanny Schmidt. I am informed that both Captain Déby and Major Abbas have a reasonable degree of fluency in English.
‘Yanny, what was your role in the rescue of the two women? One is known to be Kate McDonald, an American citizen who was kidnapped in the north of Nigeria.’
It was inevitable that the camera would focus on Yanny first. Her exotic looks, coupled with her part in the major news event around the world that day, were to make her an instant celebrity.
‘I was purely the mediator between the Chadian and Nigerian military and the kidnappers on the plane,’ she replied.
‘I am led to believe that your role was more significant,’ Jessica Samson continued to probe. ‘It is due to your efforts that there was a satisfactory resolve.’
‘I am a member of a team, an experienced team that has been proud to assist.’
‘Captain Déby, what was your role in this operation?’ asked Jessica.
‘I was the pilot of the lead helicopter that accompanied our Nigerian colleagues to the airport. I have primarily acted as a liaison at the airport since our arrival.’
Quickly the focus came back to Yanny. ‘What was the significance of the two military jet fighters that left soon after the kidnapper’s plane took off?’ the determined broadcaster continued to question.
‘That is not for me to comment. I assisted in the safe return of the two women. Major Abbas may be able to offer further information.’
‘Major Abbas, can you please comment?’
‘The two fighters have taken off purely on a training mission.’
‘Surely you do not expect our viewers to believe that?’
‘I am unable to comment further. Chadian military operations are subject to confidentiality,’ replied the Major firmly.
‘Major Abbas, we are aware that a number of Nigerian women have been recovered from a compound in a suburb located fifteen kilometres from the airport. Are you able to confirm?’
‘Your information is correct. Twelve Nigerian nationals, all female, were recovered and are now present here at the airport. They will be repatriated in the next few hours to their own country.’
‘How does this reflect on the people of Chad?’ the broadcaster, the scoop of h
er career continued to ask questions.
‘What do you mean?’
‘It is clear from reports in Nigeria, and the limited information we are receiving here in Chad, that there is what amounts to be modern-day slavery being conducted in your country.’
‘It is clear that the President of Chad, the military and the people of Chad are abhorred by such practices,’ replied the Major. ‘If what you say proves to be correct, it is clear by the actions that have transpired here today that neither Chad nor Nigeria will tolerate such barbarism.’
Focus soon came straight back to Yanny. ‘What are your plans from here?’
‘I will be accompanying Kate McDonald and the Nigerian women back to their loved ones in Nigeria.’
The camera constantly focussed on her. It was only a matter of days before the international media and the social media were scrutinising this beautiful mystery woman. She would regret the day she consented to give the interview.
‘Yanny, how much longer before you can leave?’ Steve asked shortly after the TV interview.
‘Ninety minutes. Everyone is here, and the Chadian Army medical team is ensuring that all the women are fit for the trip.’
‘Are there any concerns?’
‘They all appear to be fine. It’s important that you keep them away from the media when we arrive.’
‘We’ve already ensured that they will be kept at a distance. They’re like scavenging vultures,’ Steve said.
‘I know,’ said Yanny. ‘I’ve just experienced them.’
‘They kept their camera on you for virtually the whole interview.’
With flights slowly returning to normal at the airport and the onlookers dissipating, it was time for the flight back to Nigeria. It had taken longer than the ninety minutes at the airport, more like two hours, and then there was an additional ninety-minute flight back to Maiduguri.
‘We’re ready to leave,’ Harry informed Yanny.
‘Is everyone in the helicopters?’
‘They’re all on board,’ said Harry. ‘You will be travelling with Kate and Fatima. I’ll be in the second helicopter and Phil in the third.’
‘We better say goodbye to Captain Déby and Major Abbas,’ said Yanny.
‘Don’t bother,’ replied Harry. ‘They’re coming as well. They are bringing the head of their armed forces. The Chadian President is claiming it as an important moment when two countries acted in cooperation to rid the world of an abomination. It’s a major public relations coup for the Chadians as well; they are going to milk it for all it’s worth.’
Late afternoon the three Aérospatiale SA 330 Pumas of the Nigerian Air Force lifted off, accompanied by the Mil Mi-24 piloted by Captain Déby. He would lead to the border with Nigeria, and then the position would reverse with the helicopter carrying Kate, Fatima and Yanny taking the lead. The flight was uneventful apart from the excitement of all returning home. At eighty-six minutes after lift-off, they had a tail wind, the four helicopters landed at Maiduguri.
The usually tranquil airfield had been transformed. More media crews had chartered in on private jets. The Nigerian TV crews were also on the ground. As Steve had arranged, the helicopters landed some distance from the increasingly boisterous crowd.
It was up to Yanny, Captain Déby, Major Abbas along with Phil and Harry, as well as the Chadian Head of Military, to deal with the accolades and the media scrum.
Kate was reunited with her parents and Helen, the Nigerian women with theirs. There was to be a need for counselling for many of the returnees, especially Kate. Her mental strength over the last few weeks had been due to the support of Helen and Fatima. In the next few days, her condition would worsen as she relaxed and remembered Zebediah and Mary, as well as Duncan.
Helen would also mourn; Zebediah and Mary had been like second parents to her. She would mourn them more deeply than Kate, but within a few weeks, she would recover and devote herself to continuing the good work that they had started.
Sammy the horse, their friend, was grazing in a field at the back of the airfield. Aluko had arranged it. Helen and Kate were delighted to see him.
‘Bob, we need to take part in the press conference. The Nigerian government, as well as Chad, are anxious to take the opportunity to show the world that they have acted in a courageous and dynamic manner.’ said Steve.
‘It is your team that should take the credit.’
‘That is not what we want. The companies and individuals who need our expertise know whom we are and where to find us. Let them have the glory.’
‘By the way, was Kate..?’ Bob had nonchalantly broached a sensitive subject.
‘According to Helen and Fatima, she was untouched.’
‘We are just glad to have her back,’ said Bob. ‘It is good to know she still remains the same dear person that was taken.’
***
The press conference, convened in a hangar at the airport was a boisterous affair. The area at the front festooned with microphones from all the major news channels around the world plus the local television stations. The first to speak, Lt General Abdul Ibrahim, Chief of Defence and head of the Nigerian Armed Forces set out the conditions for the conference. ‘Prior to our talking to the media, there is one condition I must place on you and which you must honour. If there is any attempt to ask questions of Helen Campbell, then this interview will conclude immediately. She will make a statement and leave.’
‘Will Kate McDonald be present?’ Sally Wilson from BBC News, Abuja, Nigeria asked.
‘Kate’s father, Bob McDonald, will make a statement on her behalf,’ replied Abdul. ‘She is fine, but in need of rest. Let me commence these proceedings by outlining the events leading up to the successful conclusion, as you have all seen today.
‘We are all aware of the attack on the mission close to this airfield that resulted in the death of three American citizens, Pastor Zebediah, his wife Mary, and Duncan Nicholson. During that attack, Boko Haram took both Helen Campbell and Kate McDonald. It is unfortunate that, due to the sensitivity of the situation, we kept that news from you for as long as was possible.
‘Steve Case, you will no doubt learn, is an old friend of mine from Army training we conducted together in the United States when I was a humble Captain. His company is involved in similar hostage ransom and rescue situations around the world. Normally, he would prefer to keep a low profile but, due to the enormity of the actions of the last few days, he is willing to abstain from that profile and address you.
‘Before we ask Steve to speak, I would ask my counterpart from Chad to make a few words.’ Abdul turned to the man sitting to the left of him.
‘Lt General Ibrahim, members of the world’s press,’ General Youssouf Kabadi said, ‘It is clear that there has been a travesty, committed by certain individuals in Chad. It is the view of our President, and the people of Chad, that the acts committed by one person have the potential to impair the opinions of people around the world of our country. When he became aware the situation, the President of Chad in his wisdom did not attempt to conceal. My fellow officers and soldiers in the Chadian military, of which I have the honour of leading, have played a decisive part in the freeing of Kate McDonald and twelve Nigerian citizens. I applaud the efforts of all on this successful outcome.’
‘General Kabadi,’ Sally Wilson interjected, ‘there are reports of a plane crashing two hundred kilometres north of N’Djamena. Initial accounts indicate that it is the same plane that left immediately after Kate McDonald was freed.’
‘I am led to believe it may be the same plane.’ the General replied.
‘Is there any significance that, less than five minutes after it departed, two fighters of the Chadian Air Force also took off?’
‘I am not aware that they are related,’ said the General. He knew the truth, but this was neither the place nor time to reveal that a single Vympel R-27 medium air-to-air missile fired from one of the fighters had downed the plane.
‘I would ask Steve Cas
e to make a statement now,’ said Abdul, attempting to deflect the questions away from his counterpart.
‘Thank you,’ said Steve. ‘Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Nigerian government, specifically President Timipre Karibo, who Bob McDonald and myself had the honour of meeting. It was at that time that we received his unqualified approval of our plan and the full support of his military. The resources, the expertise they provided were critical to the success of this operation. Without them, this successful result would not have been possible. My company brought our expertise to the operation as advisers. All credit must be given to the Nigerian government, as well as the government of Chad, especially the President and their military personnel, who assisted greatly.’
‘Yanny, does she work for you?’ Fred Wilkinson, CNN, Abuja, Nigeria asked.
‘Yes, she is one of our most valid operatives.’
‘Will she be making a statement? Will she be present at this press conference?’ The media pack in unison clambered for an answer.
‘Yanny was not the only member of the team,’ replied Steve. ‘And no, she will not be present here. She is with the rescued women.’
‘I would ask Bob McDonald, Kate’s father, to make a statement.’ Abdul again attempted to deflect unnecessary and pointless questions.
‘I will only make a short statement,’ Bob said. ‘I, along with Steve, would like to offer my appreciation to both the Nigerian and Chadian governments. My daughter, Kate, would like me to say on her behalf that she appreciates your interest and concern. I can tell you that she is fine and unharmed. Two people have been instrumental in her well-being. Firstly, Helen Campbell, who will address you shortly and secondly, Fatima, who befriended and ensured Kate’s safety during troubling times in Chad. My wife and I hold them in the highest esteem.’
‘Where did they intend to take Kate?’ The assembled media throng were after an answer.
‘They were taking her to the Middle East,’ replied Bob.
‘Why?’
‘I am not willing to indulge in conjecture. Just let me say that my wife and I are delighted that Kate and Helen, as well as Fatima and the Nigerian girls, are safe back here today.’
Terrorist: Three Book Boxed Set Page 95