by Chuks Gerry
My name is Rabiu,’he said extending a blood stained hand for a handshake. Aliyu eyed him exasperately for a while answering non chantlantly’
And I’m Aliyu by name,’he said ignoring his handshake, chosing rather to focus on a twig he was holding in his hand.
I know who you’re,’Rabiu continued not incense at Aliyu for ignoring his handshake. Anyway I was the one who pleaded on your behalf with the guard not to shot you.
You shouldn’t have because I’d prefer death to all of this,’he said still not raising his head. I dare he doesn’t have the guts to pull the trigger.
Is that what you think, walahi you’d have been dead hours ago.
Listen,’his tone tightened, ‘I come from a big loving family; my fiancée is pregnant with my kid -—friends and love ones who miss me and probably deeply saddened by my disappearance. Also this is my final year at the university; I’m supposed to graduate in three months time. You see I’ve got a lot, too numerous to mention going on in my life which is why I rather be dead than partake in any ghastly act with this blood thirsty folks. It’s so not me.
Being dead won’t bring you or your love ones any good. My advice is to desist from such wishful thoughts. Come,’he beckoned on him to join them on the chore dujour to which he begrudgingly captulate.
Everyone you see has a tale as per finding themselves here some had it worse while others actually chose to be here. What matters most is how we survive the situation,’he muttered handing a large chunk of meat for him to grip firmly for better support so that it could be chopped into smaller bits. Atleast you have people back home that cares and hopefully awaits your return, what about those of us that have lost it all? He said morosely.
What’s your story? Aliyu snapped. How did you find your way here?
Find my way huh! He lets out a short laugher,’no one can locate here, it dosen’t even exist on the map. Legend has it that the mountains besieging this entire plain are enchanted to keep intruders out. With that said i really don’t want to delve into any sordid details only that my brother is the one responsible for my being here,’he paused as if gathering his next words. He was someone I trusted with all my heart but I’ve forgiven him, he’s afterall my blood. It’s all in the past now.
And I hope you are aware that your brother and his fellow goons have inflicted untold suffering and hardship to thousands all in a bid to achieve their ungodly purpose.
I know,’he replied curtly.
And do you subscribe to it?
That statement is irrelevant what is of basic importance is my survival, to stay alive for as long as possible to carryout an effective change, asking too much questions will do the exact opposite.
There was brief silience. Aliyu focused on his work though his thoughts ran amok filling him with indignation base on his chats with Rabiu. These recalcitrants have maimed and killed hundreds of innocent people within and outside the state, many of whom have been incancerated beyond their will in this bloody camp. Every night hostages not useful were killed and buried in mass graves, women raped, children rendered homeless without guardians. Infact too many were their atrocities yet this dude have resolved to serve them mainly to ensure his survival. But looking at it from another angle he may have a point, the only way to rise through the ranks and subvert the authorithies is to pledge allegiance to the sect. But the thought of being killed, killing another being and the sight of human blood made him shudder.
This night is a night of celebration,’Rabiu words jolted him.
What’s the celebration for?
The newly recruited fighters for the sect are through with their training and had sworn their oat of allegiance. They are throwing a huge party in their honour. Tonight there will be a burn fire.
Aliyu acquiesced working in unison with everyone. Meanwhile some group of women led by two guards arrived to load the meats into large basins they were bearing to prepare it for the night festivities.
CHAPTER NINE It was eleven thirty pm in Izulu, a small rural community of predominantly farmers and traders with a population of not more than a hundred and fifty persons. The town is about fifty minutes drive south east of Garuba, a family of seven were jolted awake by the sound of a loud explosion followed by several continous gunshots. The father ran to the front door to assure it was properly bolted while the kids cuddled around their mother in fear.The father peek through the tiny crevices around the edges of the louvers and saw homes lighted up and people running helter skelter. Not quite long the family heard heavy footsteps approaching from outside, the front door parted like the red sea upon the impact of their feet, three armed young men sauntered inside and the rest can better be left to the imagination.
A middle age man narrated the gory details to pressmen that visited the scene the following morning. He recalled how his wife insisted they hide on the roof which he reluctantly obliged with his three sons. They’d covered themselves with piles of dry straw used for feeding the little livestock they have, from there he could hear the beatings his wife underwent at the hands of the hoodlums as they inquired about the whereabouts of her husband. She’d insisted her husband was away on a trip but that statement flawed because of the dark corolla parked out front. Her husband is reknowned evangelist who works as a secretary at the local government secretariat and the raiders had solid background information on him. They however proceeded to ransack the entire apartment in such manner that even a needle in a haysack wouldn’t be saved. His two daughters lurking somewhere behind the goat house were discovered. They underwent similar treatment as their mother when they denied knowing about the whereabout of their father. At this juncture he was tempted to surface and defend his family but then decided against it as it’d be foolish of him to the extent of jeopardizing his family so he stayed put. His wife and daughters had endured all this torture for his sake and he hope after everything they will at most cartaway with his vehicle and a few valuable items leaving his family in peace but he thought wrongly as one of them shot his wife point blank in the head despite her pleas. His screaming daughters were shoved into his vehicle parked outside, after briefly contemplating weather to burn the house like the other litted houses they decided not to since it was built of concrete and not mud with thatched roof like the rest.
Spokesmen and representatives of both the federal and state government on a tour of the region that morning accompanied by the press and secuirity personnels condemned and gave assurance that the government will deal with the perpetrators of this mayhem, citing it as a dastardly act carried out by an unscrupulous sect to sabotage the government and incite fear and panic in the hearts of its peaceful and law abiding citizen. While insisting that this unjust act won’t go unpunished, the assistant commissioner of police told the villagers to be patient as thorough investigation are already ongoing and also the government is taking measures to assist those afflicted by this cruelty. He concluded by pleading with anyone with valuable piece of information which could be of assistance to their investigation not to hesistate to render it. Before nine a.m details of the attack was on every news media and with it came some more disruption. People went about their daily activities in the city with a clear depiction of gruesome graphic imprinted in their consciousness after watching the news.
In his sitting room, Valentine who was earnestly preparing to return back to school rummages through the contents of his bag making sure he wasn’t forgetting anything. Occasionally he took quick glances at the television where a reporter interviewied locals on the events of the previous night attack on Izulu village community.
Things are already getting out of hand yet the government won’t hasten up and take action instead they keep making flagrant excuses and promises we all know are hardly ever kept,’he sigh.
He was going back to round up his final semester which won’t last up to three months afterwhich he will be a graduate, free from every academic palaver for the next couple of years he hoped though his mother will insist he apply for his masters
immediately after his NYSC. He also hoped that before his next arrival, both his sisters will be through with their exams. He intends to increase pressure on his mother for them to take a long vacation down south from there relocate. They’d discussed about this a while back during which she concurred but right now has been swept under the carpet, meanwhile the level of attacks by the Islamic sect have become more constant and bloodier. Just three days ago it was reported in the news that suicide bombers detonated bombs in another community killing several persons; many others sustained varying degree of injuries. The aftermath resulted in the arrival of armies and other secuirity personnels from the headquater with every intention of fishing out the culprits; this yielded little or no positive result rather the antithesis. On the risk of sounding pessimistic which he hated himself for, if the situation becomes worse and out of control it will be much better for them to start afresh in their hometown than remain here and get caught up in the maelstrom, of which just thinking about it gave him goosebumps.
After he was done packing, he entered the kitchen to prepare something light to eat when his mobile rang. His girlfriend Sarah was calling for a last minute chitchat before wishing him a safe trip. After she’d hunged up, he hurriedly took his shower, the tone of her sultry voice had him all fired up hastening his actions. After getting dressed he went into Nneka’s bedroom to drop a package for Amara by her bedside. Since his folks were all out, he locked up and put the key in that special place his family knew, carried his bag and hit the road halting down the first cab he saw to take him to the motor park. On reaching there he was fortunate to be occupying the last available space in the bus head bound for Abuja. He left his lugages with the driver to load safely in the boot while he went over to the cashier to make payment. Someone brushed past him; it was Ahmed whom had escorted some folks to the park heading to Kano. They exchanged pleasantries brieftly, bid farewell as his bus set to leave. He hurried and join the other passengers inside acknowleding the newest as he settles down. As soon as they were on their way, he took out his mobile to call his mother but she wasn’t answering. He tried a couple more times before resigning. At this hour of the day her shop is usually crowded with customer trooping in and out making it one of the busiest time for her and the staffs, which is probably the reason for not answering. She’d call back upon seeing his missed calls.
An hour later into the journey, the bus pulled over at a petrol station to refuel when the driver received a phone call. He let out a dismaying squeal which got everyone’s attention. He continued making more of those sounds for several more minutes as he listened on his reciever, his face distorted much to the discombobulation of his passengers who kept asking questions what the problem is. It was obvious to everyone that something terrible had happened to warrant such outburst from him but none had anticipated what came out of his mouth next. A bomb explosion has occurred in the ever busy five junctions some twenty minutes ago, this information threw everyone off balance. It’s after effect polarized some passengers that have love ones working or living in that area, insisting they head back to Garuba since they weren’t that far from the city while others won’t hear of it. Some passenger however alighted and took a rebound vehicle back to Garuba among who was a newly married lady whose husband was said to have a shop very close to the spot the bomb alledged to have detonated. Many calls were put across to love ones, Val tried getting across to Ahmed whom he’d left at the park a while ago but his number was switch off and for a second he feared the worst had happened so he said a prayer for his safety. It will be devastating losing another friend weeks after the sudden disappearance of one. His phone beeped it was his mother, and from her tone she had heard and was calling to know where he was, if he was hale and healthy to which he replied in the affirmative. The news of the explosion had gone round town so hearing his voice was quite reassuring as she soon relaxes; her tone became more audible and less strenuous. He promised to call when he gets to Abuja before hanging up.
With evening fast approaching and the waning sun being concealed by patches of large grayish blue clouds, Aliyu and his new pal Rabiu worked through the last strings of errands effortlessly, assisting the women in loading the meats into their large bowls, helped with lifting the basin and balancing it on the wrapped cloth pads resting on their heads. After all was said and done they were escorted to the stream by two gaurds to shower. Aliyu removed his clothes in a flurry and delve into the stream allowing its soothing effect work on his aching nerve like an elixir. When everyone was through bathing they were led back to base in a single file during which he intimated Rabiu of his needs like clothes and somewhere better to sleep, which he promised to help. Immediately he arrived at the squalor he slept, the first thing he went for were his pills which he took a couple. True to his words, Rabiu soon came in search of him bearing clean set of clothes and other items for his upkeep. He observed in disgust the slump which behold him, the structure was poorly ventilated its sandy floor a safe haven for scorpions and other creapy creatures lurking underneath the baggages of littered gibberish all over the place.
This place is a dump, you can’t possibly sleep here,’he quipped really concerned for his well being.
Offcourse I do, I mean what other choices do I have? He muttered in between shoving himself into a clean jalabiya and a pair of pants.
Nah, something have to be done about this, I’ll see to it.
Thanks, you’ve been truly helpful, I appreciate.
It’s a pleasure, by the way the initiation rites commences nine p.m but it won’t last more than an hour before the main festival begins proper.
In otherwords I will take a quick nap before this fatigue gets the best of me.
Yea you go ahead, but not for me. There are a lot of activities currently ongoing right now and I don’t want to miss a thing. See you at the arena.
After he’d left Aliyu arrange some sacks filled with dry straws together, spread an old blanket on top transforming it to a nice cosy mattress. He took out his watch to check and time himself as he stretched out yawning loudly. He was so tired probably more than he has ever been his entire life. Immediately he fell into a deep dreamy troubled slumber encomprising pain, romance, chaos and peace. A very loud bang outside followed by several others made him sit up abruptly in rapt attention, his heartbeat racing with beads of sweat dripping from his temple. He took out his watch to glance at the time again, nine thirty p.m, he sighs. After saying his prayers amid loud noises and gunshots being fired continuously in a row he came out, following directions to the carnival. On the way to the square he was told the initiation rites was over, everyone was heading to the large parade field, the crowd was much he’d no idea the strength in numbers the sect has. As he went by he saw some people both men and women way past their middle age kneeling down their eyes tied with a piece of cloth. They were being used as live targets by a group of young of fighters following the instruction of a veteran. Upon his command they fired and Aliyu twitch, his heart skipped a beat as the hostages were soon lying in a pool of their blood. As he tarried he couldn’t help but noticed this exercise was just sport in honour of this night festivities, quite barbaric he shook his head in dismay as he proceed amid their loud chantings and multiple shots fired in the air as another group of hostages were being arraigned to face the same fate. He scurried off as he couldn’t stomach anymore, ahead of him not more than a hundred meters was a huge burnfire which lit up the entire plain. When he got there, it was a beehive of celebration and the party was like noting he’d ever been to or probably seen except in epic roman movies, raw, brutal and scandalous. He was hungry and went in search of Mariam in the crowd amidst people who were dancing, chating, eating, drinking and romancing in the open but she was nowhere to be found. He went over to the other burnfire situated at the extreme rear of the field, though not as huge as the former it’s effect was equally profound but still he couldn’t find her there. He left and walk towards the warehouse which was a good distance off, paradven
ture she was still at her duty post he thought but halfway there the whole place was isolated with not a single soul in sight so he turned and went back. He half walked and ran as he retraced his step back. As he proceeds he thought of going in search of her at the kitchen but decided against it because like most places around it was prohibited for unauthorised persons. Suddenly he heard a loud scream and turn to look in motion, a lady was struggling with all her might under the firm grip of a man who wasn’t relenting in letting go either, pulling her into the shadows. What caught his attention is how remarkable her silhouette resembles Mariam or so he thought, so he went after them. He rushed towards them with a mind made up not to allow him hurt her in any way and followed them into a block of rooms. The man opened a door and dragging her inside. Aliyu got to the door and paused for a bit collecting his wit before charging inside. He walks into a dimly lit room where a sex orgy was in full swing. Everywhere he turned or step on there was copulation on going and the cries from the young ladies mostly in their teens sent chills down his spine as he proceeded stealthly in search of her, going from one room to the other. When he entered the last room, he saw a man half nude hastily undressing a lady on the floor and immediately recognizes him as the man he was after. Moving briskly with clenched fist he tap the man gently, he raised his head to look only for his face to be heavily smeared by a firm ball of fist. The unexpected punch sent the dude a few inches backward dazed while Aliyu flicked his hand severally in respect of the pain reverberating through his wrist, in the process turning to look at the lady, it wasn’t Mariam. She smiled coyly at him stretching forth her hand invitingly while using the other to masturbate herself. The dude on the floor thinking it was probably a superior officer pleaded with him not to be offended. He shook his head hissed and sauntered out of the building back into the open fields where the smaller burnfire burned brightly and sat opposite a group of guys chatting loudly between themselves while munching on a feast spread out infront of them. Watching them his mouth turned watery from the savoury aroma emanating from the dishes but it was soon quickly superceded by anger from the ruthlessness of the men towards the hostage girls waiting on them. Barely unable to constrain himself any further he was about reacting when a cold hand rested on his shoulders; he looked up to see Mariam behind beholding a package.