by Chuks Gerry
What about Eugene? We have to alert him else he would be in grave danger,’Amina lamented
I don’t think he is since he may have gotten the jerk and made for it,’Ibrahin pointed out. He will be fine trust me.
Shsss,’cautioned Mr Abiodun at them both, a finger dividing his lips signaling for everyone to be quiet as some footsteps can be heard approaching. The total number of offices on this floor was six in number adjacent to each other. One after the other they broke into three of them, but seeing that they were all empty got tired and was about leaving when they heard the faint sound. Ginger by this revelation, they broke into the fourth office. They were immediately greeted by cries of plea for mercy, meanwhile Amina struggle to curtail her rebellious mobile as it kept ringing incessantly. Mr Abiodun gave her a damning look while her colleagues stare on beffudled. The cryptic tone of the men was as terrifying as death itself. There was a gunshot, which left them all aghast followed by several footsteps then complete silence. Ibrahim crept on his belly until he came to the door where he peered through a peephole on the door, saw them leaving, turned around and heave a sigh of relief. He peered again and saw two men standing upfront. He howled and shrinked away from the door as a huge bang landed mightly on it. Nneka fainted severally upon each impact of their banging, Amina was in tears while Mr Abiodun and Ibrahim lay on the floor, eyes wide open filled with fright. No one knows what the outcome will be when they eventually break in. The door gave way in less than a minute falling flat on the floor as three men steps in.
Please take whatever you want but don’t kill me,’Mr Abiodun pleaded frantically.
Shut up,’they screamed landing him a thunderous slap before ordering everyone out of the office into the main corridor. Afterwards they were told to lie facedown as they continue with their operation of breaking into the next office. Sighting this as a good opportunity, Mr Abiodun immediately made a bolt for it. One of them yelled and went after him while the remaining two carried on with their operation quite alert this time. Nneka whispered something to Ibrahim which did not go unnoticed by one of their abductors much to their dismay. He demanded to know what the fuss was about but neither of them understood what he was saying or wanted as he spoke neither English nor Hausa. Aggravated by their silience he took out his gun and shot Ibrahim. He screamed and rolled on the floor writhing in pains, with so much blood oozing from his wound. Amina and Nneka rushed to his side crying and pleading for mercy. The men yelled at them to return to where they were. Amina did as was told but Nneka refused choosing instead to be by Ibrahim’s side. He yelled and pointed his gun menacingly at her but she was quite adamant. He pulled the trigger and a shot was fired. For a moment Nneka thought she felt her spirit transcending, everywhere was pitch black but no she was still breathing. Slowly, she opened her eyes to see someone had timely intervened on her behalf and directed the gun nozzle upward resulting in a gaping hole in the ceiling.
Listen all of you; you better do as you’re told if you want to remain alive. Everyone get on your feet and form a single file now,’the person who’d obviously saved her life instructed. His tone sounded somewhat familiar and it was obvious he was in charge. They did as ordered and were escorted downstairs where several trucks await.
What about our friend? He requires urgent medical attention please,’Nneka pleaded. Ibrahim was cuddled on the floor drench in his blood.
Don’t worry, my men will bring him along,’he replied curtly, turning around he whispered to the man on his side to dispose of him.
After they had all left, one of them stood hovering over a crying and feeble Ibrahim who was pleading for mercy. He directed his gun at his brain with a mirthless smirk and was about pulling the trigger when he felt an impact on his head, he lost focus. Before he could regain consciousness, he saw himself falling twenty feet overboard the balcony. Eugene then lifted Ibrahim across his shoulder, picked up the man’s gun and ran back to his hiding spot. As sirens was heard in the distance approaching from various directions, Sanni looked around and nodded in satisfaction giving the final order for their departure. The trucks zoomed off with the hostages into the dusk leaving spiraling dust in its wake.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Observing Ibrahim has passed out as a result of too much blood lost, Eugene knew he requires urgent help or stand the chance of loosing him. He perceives a pungent burning smell which increased gradually until it was almost choking forcing him to scrawl out to investigate. The entire ground floor was on fire, bellowing caustic dark grayish smoke that was entirely consuming. He took to his heels, yanked Ibrahim from where he lay onto his shoulder and went in search for an exit. The smoke continued to intensify tremendously that even with his hanky over his nostrils he was apparently choking. He barge into one of the lecture halls and collapse. He might have passed out for several minutes only to be reawakened by loud crashing noise, a section of the structure had gave way. He looked around struggling to his feet, the atmosphere was getting hotter and the more time he wasted the higher he risked being roasted alive or dying of asphyxiation. He went across to one of the aluminum window and open it, outside downstairs was numerous firefighters and secuirity personnel engrossed in salvaging the situation. He screamed for help but his voice fell limb due to the clamor outside. He thought for a second, took a chair and with all his might threw it towards the window; it shattered several glasses and landed heavily its thud startling several people towards him. They immediately acted, carrying out several meticulous efforts to rescue him from the terribly burning structure, ladders sprouted from nowhere with special blankets. They were soon wrapped up and whisked away in an awaiting ambulance.
Where do you think they’re taking us to? Queried Amina for the umpteenth time who was now hiccupping as a result of crying too much. Nneka paused in between thoughts to look at her, she was deathly petrified and it shows on her face.
A better question you should be asking is what their intention are towards us. Are they going to kill us, sacrifice us to their juju, marry us or sell us off to merchant as slaves? Heaven knows I rather die than allow any of those scoundrels lay their filthy hands on me,’she scoffed.
Please stop you’re scarring me even more,’she resumed sobbing silently.
C’mon dear, it’s going to be alright. Tears won’t change anything but prayer will,’Nneka replied placatingly pulling her close to rest on her bosom.
They must have journeyed for the better part of an hour because Garuba was several kilometers behind before coming to a sudden halt. With the sun already setting on the horizon, Nneka thought goes to her mother and how worried she must be trying to reach her since her mobile and other valuables have been earlier confisticated. The sudden hiatus in their journeyed brought new wave of hysteria within the captives, with a middle aged lady praising the Lord out loud, muttering the police was conducting a search and hopefully they will be found and set free in no time. Her words came as great relief, sprouting rays of hope into their dismay predicament.
Since the cops have everywhere covered, there will be no root of escape for the terrorist,’Amina added elatedly
Unless they have an alternative, a plan B,’replied Nneka in deep thought. They listened as the men outside exchanged banter among themselves going back and forth as they argued on something incomprehensible to the hostages inside. As this was on going the back of their truck was flung open and two men stood facing them. One addressed them instructing everyone to do as told assuring no harm will befall them if they comply, while the second fellow climbed into rear giving prompt order for everyone to move farther inside the truck. They hurriedly loaded the frontage with bags of grains enshrouding the interior in total darkness with just enough orifices for air passage. The vehicles lineup to the checking point was still quite a distance and with the slow movement, the interior soon became hot and stuffy. The presence of the armed man in the shadow ensured absolute cooperation from the hostages; silence is golden that even smacking a mosquito sucking diligently away at
Nneka’s torso warranted an exasperated shush from him. As they got closer, they heard orders and directives being issued about and they knew they were near the checking point. Drivers and passengers were asked to come out for thorough checkup, but most times their unwillingness to oblige swiftly attributed to the aggravating traffic. The hold up resulted to untold amount of distress to everyone particularly the captives’ holed up inside different trucks. Nneka like the others kept wiping her forehead and neck from consistent droplets of sweat while fighting off retinue of mosquitoes that left everyone in constant fidgetion. Soon they heard voices, someone was explaining to a secuirity personnel about the number of trucks in his care that they were all filled with foodstuff items, but the security personnel wasn’t relenting insisting each truck should be check irrespectively and Nneka’s heart skipped a bit. She thought of the possibility of freedom but she knew this can go both ways. They could be found and released to go safely in peace or the sect may likely put up a showdown which may result to casualties on both end and with them in the middle it could get worse.
Christ my savior, take charge,’ she prayed inwardly ignoring the bile that sprang to her tastebud.
Outside the sect were playing coy by resolving to delay tactics using their explaination of urgent need for delivery in the process sneakily manipulating some of the officers with cash and gift items while wearing out the rest, who soon started arguing and quarreling between themselves. Suddenly the truck behind was swung open and a non chalant corporal climbed onboard using the support of the iron braces at the edges. He swinged a flash light this way and that for the mere purpose of fulfilling his official obligation. The flashlight barely made it past the pile loads of food items at the entrance and he was further distracted by the driver who chatted with him non stop. Several minutes later they were given approval to proceed. The driver got behind the wheels and within minutes they were plying the express in full throttle. Inside the truck there was a huge sigh of relief atleast from the suffocating heat and mosquitoes as fresh evening breeze seep through the crevices inside. The almost calm atmosphere was quite soothing even for Nneka who now remembering how tired she was shifted her weight a little for more comfortability. She soon difted off into a light slumber plague by dreadful thoughts regarding the day’s event.
Wiping her eyes with her palm, she came awake startled by a gentle nudge on the side from Amina. The surrounding was pitch black that it took a while for her eyes to get accustom to it. She listened, the truck had stop moving but voices can be heard outside bantering. Someone banged loudly at their truck and their colleague in the shadow inside replied in affirmation. They began discharging the foodstuff until there was enough room for human passage. The instruction was for everyone to file out of the truck into the plains. They stretched outside, the breeze was generous and the night was cold. Nneka looked around, they were parked in the middle of nowhere alongside several vehicles and trucks with over three dozen people. The hostages were instructed to lineup in a single file while they peruse them pointing torchlight on their faces, shoving them sideways with hands moving randomly over their bodies searchingly. Satisfied with the search, they picked some people setting them aside from the rest, while the former were led back to various trucks. Once inside, Nneka choose a space in a corner large and comfortable enough for her and Amina. No sooner had they settle gunshots and loud sinister laughter from the sect rattled the still darkness despite an outcry mercy from the victims. Impulsively Nneka and Amina and the rest hostages peered through the crevices to see dead bodies lying about on the plains. Shaken by what they saw, she and Amina held each other sobbing for several minutes.The engine reared to life and they continued their journey to the destination of uncertainty. Nneka observe her surrounding after the tears dried up taking into cognizance how few there were, with enough room to even lie down. Amina stretched out resting her head on Nneka’s lap, sobbing silently. Since the ordeal they’ve barely spoken as their mind was in turmoil. She glanced upward at the sky with its beautiful constellation of stars all beaming gloriously above in contrast to the enshrouding sorrows below. It must be past midnight by now she thought, feeling light headed she drifted into a deep slumber, this time she struggled to find inner peace hoping when day break, the surrealness of her present disposition would have slid by and everything return to normal. She thought of her mother, how heartbroken she will be when she finds out the truth about her disappearance, and her siblings; it’s going to be a sad sad day for everyone. She thought about the impending future and what it holds for her, the intentions of her kidnappers wondering if this was the end for her. The thoughts kept piling all over so she closed her eyes tightly in an attempt to shut it out. Lastly she said a prayer something she rarely does, with it came divine peace.
Amara consternation kept increasing each passing minutes as she tried reaching her sister on her line but it kept failed. She called her mother to inform her but she was already aware having been trying herself to get across to her daughter herself. Mrs Nwankwo can sense Amara apprehension on the phone especially since she hasn’t been on her own before. She persuaded her to go to the neighbours for the night but she refused insisting she was a big girl and quite capable of taking care of herself.
Mummy don’t you think we should call Val, he deserves to be inform of what’s happening,’she reiterated over again after several minutes.
No, no, no, not again. How many times do I have to tell you that suggestion is out of the question,’she said with an impatient tone. Telling him will only incense his emotions which will furthermore derail his studies. I’m fine same with your sister whom is probably at a friends place.
But do you have any other of her friends’ contact we could call?
No dear, I don’t and how careless of me. One never knows when such things will be relevant,’she sighs hopelessly seeing a nurse approaching.
Honey I’m going to have to call you back in let me say ten minutes time.
Okay ma.
She hunged up strectching her hand forward for the blood pressure apparatus to be strapped on.
Madam you looked tense, please you’ve to relax for your health sake,’the nurse cautioned. The test result says all your vitals are quite okay, no internal bleeding or potential injuries; the only issue is with your blood pressure being on the high side.
Am trying to relax but can’t seem to. My daughter who attends the polytechnic is MIA and my little baby is home alone. Gosh I feel so clouded.
Erm, do you say your daughter attends Garuba state polytechnic?
Oh yes, she is in her finals.Why? Mrs Nwankwo inquired, sensing the disturbing expression on the nurses’ face.
It’s nothing to worry about, just drink these tablets and try to relax.
Please don’t patronize me and spill it else I’ll take a walk afterall you guys don’t have the right to keep me here against my will. My daughter is at large here, tell me what I need to know and trust me to handle it as an adult.
Okay, but I’m sorry because it is bad news. The polytechnic was attacked and many people killed. Most of its buildings were burnt to the ground and hostages taken. The police are investigating the case right now. Madam that is the story on the news but I pray your daughter will not be among the victims. Please drink your tablets and try to relax,’she said handing her the tablets and a glass of water which she dranked dazed. After making sure she had swallowed all her tablets the nurse left to attend to other patients, leaving her befuddled. This was too much for her to bear she thought crumbling on her bed sobbing and praying fervently. The thought of loosing her daughter was just too much for her, it was overwhelmingly crushing to say the least. Just then her phone rang, it was Amara. She busied it and returned the call.
Hello peanut,’she replied sounding so normal even calling her one of her numerous pet name.
Hmm, you said you’ll call back soon but its thirty minutes already,’she squealed at the receiver.
You called at the nick of time when
the nurse was just being through with me.
Have you succeeded in getting through to Nneka? She asked impatiently sounding very worried.
At first she wanted to lie outrightly that she will be spending the night with a friend but thought against it. It will be devastatingly foolish of her when the truth finally emerges. What if she was dead and probably in the mortuary right now, or kidnapped and taken away as hostage. Either ways the thought pierce her heart, wrenching it as it sank deep surging tears upwards to her eyes.
Not yet and she didn’t call either but I’m quite sure she’e fine,’she sneeze, making an effort to douse the swellness cracking up her throat. Peanut there is something I want you to do for me.
Okay anything mom.
I want you to relax, stop bothering yourself and please go to bed. Hopefully I’ll be home tomorrow to take care of issues.
Mom, are you sure you’re okay? She asked picking on her hoarse tone and constant sneezing.
Yes I’m, just do exactly as I say.
Okay ma, but if I don’t hear from Nneka till ten pm, I’m going to call Brother Val.
Honey please please I’m not in the mode for your stubbornness this night,’she groaned. If anything bad had happen to your sister, is your brother the police, can he fix it? Why do you want to get me upset?
I’m sorry mom, I’ll go to bed right away.
Thank you, would love to chat with you some more but my battery is low.
Okay ma but will you call back when it is fully charge?