Domawoleye's Blog

CHAPTER 24

 

It was a small crowd that followed me home from Akin’s house. When my village people saw me and Akin walking towards my house with my travelling bag on my back, they knew I did not die after all. There were salutations from every compound we walked past. We walked past the front of Baba Land lord’s house; it was Tunde that opened the door when he heard the noise from the people following me home. He screamed when he saw me and ran into my arms, we hugged passionately.

Brother you are alive? He asked

Yes my dear, God protected me! I replied

Wow! I thank God you are alive o! Brother do you know you are my uncle?

Yes I know now! I replied

Baba land lord is your father! He said enthusiastically

Yes my dear! So I just heard.

You are my uncle, brother BJ, you are my blood! He said as we all marched towards my house.

It was at this point that those following us started arguing about the striking resemblance between Tunde and me.

No wonder Bolaji loved this boy so much! One said

 

Hmm! Blood smells! Another said

 

 

Hmm! Blood is thicker that water indeed! Another offered

 

They were saying a lot of things to my hearing but in my mind, I was troubled. My emotion was running wild. How will I react when I see the woman that brought me into this world and abandoned me? Hate or love? How will I react when I see my friend and drinking partner who has suddenly turned out to be my elusive father?

Akin! I called my friend

Yes BJ! He answered

I feel like a bottle of Gulder!

No nah! Not now please!

I am scared! And why are these people following us?

You are a miracle! You returned from the land of the dead, and people follow miracles!

Hmm? I asked

Hmm! He hummed.

Brother! Daddy will get well if he sees you! He thinks you are dead! Tunde said as he ran into my house through the front door.

 

We got to the front of the house, I could not move further, I stood looking at the closed door and opened windows. Normally every opening would have been locked up awaiting my arrival. Although I had given Baba landlord the spare key for contingency sake, he would not ordinarily open my door or windows.

While I was still outside looking at the house, the door opened and Baba land lord limped forward with the aid of a walking stick, Tunde was beside him beaming from ear to ear. He stood looking at me.

Eniyan tabi ebora? Is this a human being or a ghost? He asked

Eni yan! Akin replied

Mobolaji! He called

Baba Landlord! I replied.

He placed his walking stick by the wall and tightened his wrapper securely around his waist. He picked his walking stick and limped towards me.

Mobolaji! He called again

Baba! I replied

Every one was quiet.

You are not dead? He asked.

God rescued me sir! I was killed but God rescued me! It’s a long story! I said.

Ha! Mobolaji!

Baba!

We embraced as he got to me; we both broke down in tears as my escorts shouted in jubilation and cheers.

After crying together for three minutes.

Mobolaji!

Sir?

Has Akin told you?

Yes sir!

I am your father!

Yes sir!

It is strange!

Yes sir!

We used to drink together!

Yes sir!

We were friends’ o!

Yes sir!

Please come with me! Let’s go inside the house

No, I can’t! I said. Let’s sit outside at the terrace

Okay, let’s sit out at the terrace; he concurred

 

As I moved to sit on a Chair at the terrace, Baba landlord turned to address the small crowd that had gathered.

 

He is my son!

Yes we know! The people replied

He is an Engineer!

Baba Engineer! The father of an Engineer! The crowd cheered!

We used to drink together!

I have always loved him as the Son I did not have!

But he is actually my Son! A product of my loins!

I met his mother twenty eight years ago in Lagos!

I wanted to marry her after my late wife but fate separated us

I knew she was pregnant for me but I thought she would have aborted it because she was leading a rough life then in Lagos

But she changed o! Yes! She actually changed when we were together but you know back then nah! There was no telephone so when I was drafted back to the north I forgot all about her!

Go! Go and tell the whole world that ASP Bamidele Fapohunda has a son! An heir! If I die today, I will die happy because I have not labored in vain! All my daughters are in their husband homes and none is interested in the vast portions of lands I own in the Village, Akure, Ibadan, Abuja and Kaduna!

Ha Baba Modupe o!

He went down on his knees carefully and with arms stretched upwards

Baba o seun! He said looking up to the heavens

God you are indeed faithful and merciful

How am I to know that you would bless me with a Son in my old age? So my lineage will not end with me? I am an only son to my parents too so I was supposed to have a lot of sons to carry on the Fapohunda name but I had none until now! Oh God you are wonderful

He started a song

Baba Baba Baba Baba!!

O se o Baba!

O se o Baba!

Mo wa dupe Baba!

The crowd took the song from him as he struggled to get up with the aid of his walking stick; he limped towards me and sat on an empty plastic chair

Tunde! Baba called

Get us palm wine o! My son has come home! Get every one here something to drink!

Tunde! Get your uncle a bottle of Gulder! Akin said as Tunde was about to leave for the errand.

God bless you Akin! I said. Em Tunde! Chilled one please! And make it two bottles! I shouted as Tunde sped off.

 

Mobolaji! Baba called me: what happened to you? I came to Owerri and heard a very terrible story about your death, I went to the Police station for your corpse but I knew better since I was one of them before! Your Corpse was government property because you were killed as a criminal. I left Owerri broken hearted and suffered a stroke when I got home.

Baba, it is a very long and painful story! I will tell you everything later, but first, where is my mother?

She is sleeping, she just took her drugs, it makes her to sleep, he said.

So what is wrong with her? I asked

It is Cancer my dear! She has Cancer in her bones!

Jesu Christ o! I exclaimed.

So it is not H.I.V Aids? I asked

No! No! It is Cancer!

Is she going to make it? I asked

No! She has a week or two, she has done several operations in Lagos but the disease kept coming back.

Can money save her now? I asked again

No! The Doctors said no amount of money can save her now. Mobolaji! I have the money! I would arrange for her treatment abroad if there was hope. The Cancer had already taken parts of her body in previous operations! Now it is the bones!

Hmm! So it has to take Cancer to bring my mother back to me? I asked Baba.

Mobolaji take it easy! Do not be hard on her. She has her reason for doing what she did.

What? I asked. She has her reasons for abandoning me all my life? Twenty eight years!

Mobolaji! Look at you! Akin intervened. Look at what you have turned out to become! Would you have turned out this way if she were around? I don’t think so! Of all the Youths in this Village how many of them cam beat their chest when you stand and talk? Yet most of them have both Parents alive! Even me here that had a rich father and my Mother was doing well, was it not you, the so called Orphan that came to my rescue?

So my boy! Baba continued; just thank God for your life! Forgive and forget! She is dying so let her go in peace. Thank God also that she came home alive instead of her Corpse being brought back home, the two of you can sort out your selves before she dies. I have not left her side since she returned home and told me about you, every one is afraid of coming close to her because they thought her sickness is contagious. She said she told your grand ma about my affair with her in Lagos and how she bore me a Son but before I retired and came back home, your grand ma had died. She also has been battling with Cancer for over fifteen years; she could not come home when her mother died because she just had an operation then. Mobolaji! Your mother’s two breasts have been cut off due to Cancer!

Jesu Christi o! I exclaimed.

That was even some years back before the thing came back into her bones! Do we cut of her bones too? She is destined to die by this Cancer I must admit! Baba said. Your mother is not as terrible as portrayed by the Villagers here! She was simply looking for the Golden Fleece that the Village does not have to offer. Many people ran to the City in pursuit of greener pasture, some made it and some did not! Your mother belonged to the later.

 

Tuned and one of his friends returned with buckets of drinks and every one present had something to drink before dispersing to their homes. I gulped down a chilled bottle of my ultimate beer, gave out a large belch and dropped the empty bottle on the floor before opening the second bottle.

You and this Gulder sha! Akin said

My brother! It is the Ultimate of beers o!

I was by her bed side when she woke up the next evening; we stared at each other for about three minutes before I broke the silence.

 

I don’t know what to call you! I said

Who are you? She asked with a raspy weak voice

You tell me! I said

I should tell you? She asked as she squinted her face trying to figure me out

Ha! My God! They said you were dead! She said. Have you come to take me with you?

I did not die! I am alive! I came back home two days ago! I came here yesterday morning but you have been asleep until now! I said without emotions.

Mobolaji! She called

Yes? I answered

I am your mother!

Of course I know! I snapped

I have struggled through life trying to do things my own way without success! She said

By being a prostitute abi? By giving me a bad name! Do you know what I have been through in life? I started fending for my self as long as I started walking. I grew up being ridiculed as a bastard in the village. I ate from the refuse; I struggled with dogs at the butchers slap for pieces of bones! I started hunting at five! All by myself! No father! No mother for me to emulate! I was a burden too big for grandma because she could barely take care of herself! Your mother died in this house and I did not know for three days! I was sleeping in the same house with her corpse thinking she was asleep! I took desperate risks in life that a guided Child would not take! The fact that I am alive today is a miracle! I was killed! It was just God that still has a use of me that is why he brought me back alive! Look at me! Look at my body!

Tears filled her eyes as I ranted on. Baba came in and pulled me out of the room, I was crying and yelling on top of my voice, my mother was crying too.

 

Mobolaji take it easy with her! Baba said; the tears you are making her shed is killing her! She is suffering already. You have a right to be angry but please be lenient with a dying woman! Your mother!

Baba pulled me close and rubbed my naked rough body. Let’s go back to her, put on your clothes, please be a man! You have said more than enough.

 

She was struggling to leave her bed when we entered the room.

Where are going to? Baba asked her

She was sobbing as we pulled her back into the bed. She held my hand by the wrist. Her fingers were very skinny, like raw bones clasping on my wrist weakly.

I am sorry! I am sorry for everything! Please I beg you in the name of God to forgive me. I do not deserve your forgiveness but for the sake of the almighty that commands us to forgive one another. Because of that God that brought you back from the land of the dead! Please find a place in your heart to forgive me! She begged amidst tears.

But it is not easy nah! I am not God nah! How will I just forgive you like that? After abandoning me all my life! What if I had died? What if I had joined a bad gang and become useless in life? What if I had not gone to school? I asked

You were supposed to be there for me! To nurture, protect and direct me! You were not there! I grew up a nuisance and a scavenger!

 

I know my son! I know! But if we do not forgive one another we would not have friends to play with! She said; I have done terribly wrong in my life and today look at me! Look at where I have landed myself! I would have returned home long before now but I have nothing to fall back on! Absolutely nothing! All I had was spent on my sickness for the past fifteen years! Look at me nah! I don’t have anything any where to offer to you. But I was sending money home to mama for your school. I told her to be saving the money until you are entering secondary school, I sent your picture and a note to her, she was to keep the note and picture in the box where the money is kept

Jesu Christi o! I saw the money o! I saw the money years after mama had died. So it was you? I exclaimed.

 

I have only come home to be buried, I am a born again Christian now, I have repented of my sins for over ten years now but Cancer had tied me down in Lagos. I knew you were in School at Ibadan, I knew of your discovery of the Alabi heist, I knew you were in the University in the east. I was too ashamed to come around you and also I did not want to come and distort your progress in life. My sickness required a lot of money and my presence would have spoilt things for you.

You knew everything about me? I asked through teary eyes.

Yes son! I had my informants, but the only mistake was that I had thought it was your father training you all the way. I did not know that mama did not hand you over to him before her death.

 

But why did you not come back to him? At least you have a son for him, I asked

His daughters hated me! They said I was not fit to be their step mother! They said I was a prostitute. They promised to stop me with everything at their disposal. I had to stay clear for your safety. They did not know I had you for their father. When their father was working in Lagos, they came for holidays and they saw me in their fathers house. Their mother had died by then. They drove me out of the house and threw my luggage outside. There was no telephone to call their father what the children had done so I went my way and when I returned weeks after hoping the Kids might have returned to boarding school, the father had been transferred out of Lagos! I did not hear from him again but he knew I was some weeks pregnant for him already. We had met at a party organized by the police officers in Yaba, we recognized each other as being from the same Village. One thing led to the other and we started an affair. I was ready to change my life style as he promised to take care of me but it was not to be.

I am tired she said.

She had gotten exhausted by talking with me.

Sorry Mummy! Please rest! I advised

You called me Mummy, she whispered with a wry smile as she released my wrist.

I moved towards her head and rubbed her shaven head, she closed her eyes and slept.

I wished she was strong enough to hear the things I wanted to tell her.

Mummy! I called softly: she was snoring softly already

I forgive you! Even though you were not there, you were still there! You decided to stay away so as not to alter my progress in life? We could have spent the money used for my education for your treatment! Perhaps the Modupes’ would not have had access to my money and we could have used it for your sickness. Perhaps if you had returned much earlier, my father would have spent all his money on you without having extra for my school so you stayed back!

You sacrificed your life so as to redeem your image. You are a hero mummy! You are not selfish! And I don’t care what people say about you because they really do not know you. I love you mother and I thank God that you have found peace with him. I pulled up the cover cloth and wrapped her well before following my dad into the sitting room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 25

My mother died the next week that I arrived home just as her Doctors had said. She died in her sleep. I spent only nine days and nights with the woman through whom I came into this world. But those nine days are indelible in my memory, I was with her every moment she was awake. I told her about my adventures at FUTO including my relationships with the girls, I told her about Modupe and her mother, I told her about Uncle Agegoke and his family, I told her about Commodore Aboderin. Anytime I am with her, my Dad always wanted to be present too so as to listen to whatever story I had to tell mummy. I told her about how I survived as a teacher, a Barber, a Bar man and as an IT student. I told her about my love for Yemisi and my desire to marry her as soon as I am settled but I am afraid of her father. I asked her if she would not want to see her grand children before leaving us. My stories excited my mother; she laughed and cried all together as she listens to the adventures of her only Child BJ.

 

We bonded so much that she did not want to die again, she wished for a miracle to save her life so we started praying for restoration. I personally fed and bathed her daily and changed her clothes and cleaned her up as she defecates and urinates on the bed. But God knows best as she died on a Sunday morning, we talked into the night on the Saturday and prayed with her before going to our rooms to sleep. It was my dad that came and told me around 8.30AM that she had gone.

Your mother has gone to meet her maker at last! He said as he came and slumped on the couch in my room.

I screamed and ran to her room, daddy had covered her face with the cover clothe but I pulled it up and carried her in my arms.

Mummy! Mummy! I called but she was gone. I hugged her body and cried bitterly.

My dad came and joined me and together we knelt by her bed and prayed.

 

We notified the church and her family before burying her in the evening, a lot of people turned out for the burial ceremony.

 

During the vote of thanks speech after the interment, I addressed the people present. The people were busy eating and drinking under the canopies reserved for guests. I collected the microphone and went to the centre of the field.

 

You are all welcome to bid my mother a final farewell to the land of the dead! She might have been a prostitute, she might have committed untold numbers of abortions, and she might have slept with the married, the single, the poor and the rich! She might have done untold evil before God and man but she was my mother! And for the times I spent with her, there is no better mother in this world! All what you people say about her are her past! I did not know her like that! I know her as a repented born again Christian that sacrificed her life for me! She has been sick for the past fifteen years and had purposely stayed away so that I could go to school and become somebody in life, she could have come home with her sickness so that we rally round for money and treat her but she refused! She was suffering while I was schooling. That act of hers means a lot to me!

My mother was a product of her environment! She was not given an opportunity for a good life as we all know the story of her mother too. As a child she was not given the privilege of a better life so she took that choice which was available to her, her mother’s foot steps! And what most of you do not know is that, that prostitute! That runaway woman! That woman not fit enough to marry my father! That pig! Did not die of HIV but of Cancer! And she is today in heaven with her maker! She repented of her sins years back and had been serving God. You that is condemning her, where will you be when you leave this world?

 

There was murmuring in the crowd but I continued.

If anyone should bear this woman any grudge in this village then it should be me! ‘The abandoned Child’! But I do not! Rather I love her so much! I love her so much it hurts me to loose her. I wish she had lived long enough to allow me take care of her. My mother is resting in the bosom of the lord. Where will you go when you die?

When you point an accusing finger at some one, three of your own fingers point back at you! So check yourself before you wreck your self instead of being busy indulging in malicious village gossips! Most of you that are here today did not as much as visited her when she was sick! You stayed back spreading rumour that she has a contagious disease! None of you came around to offer a cup of herb as help! No one! But today you all have come to drink and eat and shed crocodile tears as if you cared! The dead woman was contagious abi? But the food and drinks at her funeral are not contagious abi? I never knew my mother was so popular! Hypocrites all of you! Don’t you people have shame? Some of you even came to me two days ago to demand for certain rites to be performed before my mother is buried! You claimed you were her family members! Jesu Christi o! So my mother has family in this village! Wonders shall never seize! Where have you been all these while? You said I should provide a big Ram and a gallon of palm oil for the rites abi? Don’t worry I will give you an Elephant! Thieves all of you!

 

One after the other the crowd dispersed leaving their foods half eaten. Some turned their foods into nylon bags and left with it, some hid the wraps of moi moi, amala and pounded yam inside their agbada while they poured the thick egusi soup with orisirisi meat into their caps and left with it. Some did not even bulge; they sat there and ate to their fill while some others were busy pouring left over foods into sacks before scurrying out of my presence.

 

My mother was buried on my fenced plot of land given to me by the community. I wished she had brought her things from Lagos as I so much desired to have her old pictures, her pictures when she was young and beautiful but all I have are the ones I took as I met her at home sick. Those are the pictures my Children will see. The sick face of their grand mother who sacrificed her life so their daddy could get an education.

 

ASP Bamidele Fapohunda invited all his children and grand children for the Christmas holiday with the sole purpose of introducing me to the family.

I did not start up well with the eldest daughter who should be fourteen years older than me, Auntie Esther who lives with her Police husband at Abuja.

 

I greeted her when I entered the sitting room upon invitation by Baba and she mistakenly asked me a question that annoyed me.

Hope you are not still mourning the death of your mother? Sorry o! She had said

Why are you sorry? I asked her. Do you have a hand in her death?

 

Ha! Every one in the room was shocked at my reaction. Baba was not in the room then.

What sort of answer is that Bolaji? Do you have something against me before? She asked.

 

Yes I do! I said angrily. You chased away my mother out of your dad’s house years back in Lagos! You said she was not good enough for your dad!

Yes we did! She retorted. Your mother was a prostitute!

 

And what were you? I asked. A saint abi? Have you never slept with any other man apart from your husband? Did you do it for free or with a little gratification from the man? Have you never had a boyfriend that sleeps with you and gives you money or gifts? If you have, then you have no moral right to call another woman a prostitute! I challenged.

 

Meaning what? She asked.

Meaning the kettle should not call the pot ‘the black one’

Your mother was a professional! She said.

You were an amateur! I fired back.

There was noise in the house as everyone started complaining and cautioning us until Baba himself came and shouted every one down

 

What is happening here? He demanded from no one in particular.

This boy is so rude! Auntie Esther said.

Which boy? Tunde? Baba asked.

No! This one behind your back! She said pointing at me.

 

You must be very stupid to point a finger at me and refer to me as ‘this one’! Who the hell do you think you are? You must have a loose nut in your brain box to call me a boy at my age! What arrogance! Are you feeding me? I challenged her furiously. If not for the presence of your husband here and for the presence of Baba you would have seen the mad side of me today! How dare you call my late mother a prostitute in my presence? My own mother! If you had not chased her out of your fathers house in Lagos years back who knows maybe she would be alive today? She was ready to turn a new leaf and settle with Baba after the death of your mother! Why did you not give her a chance? I asked shouting.

 

When did this one happen, Esther? Baba asked; did you at anytime chase his mother away from my house in Lagos?

 

Yes we did daddy! The second daughter answered; we were young and the death of mama was still fresh on our minds. We did not welcome the idea of another woman coming into our family at that time. We were teenagers!

 

But that was about three years after we lost your mother nah! All of you were in boarding school then and I was lonely! But how come I never learnt about it until now? Baba asked.

 

They threatened her never to come back to your house. They were on holidays then so my mother waited until resumption of school before going back to check on you but was told you had been transferred back to the north, she made several attempts to reach you at the office but you were always on patrol. She had her baby alone and she later came to drop me with my grandma in the Village. She told grandma I was your son. My grandma did not reveal your identity to me until she died after which you retired and came back home. I explained.

 

I am sorry! I am sorry for all of these! Baba said; it is my entire fault and I accept full responsibility. Em, Mobolaji, these are your elder ones! Please accord them the respect they deserve! I have never known you to be rude or arrogant as a youth. And you Esther! You don’t call a twenty eight years old man a boy in his father’s house! It is not done! Now, Mobolaji! Oya, apologize to your sister!

 

I went before her and prostrated

E ma bi nu ma! I am sorry ma! I apologized to the husband too and to other relations present.

The Introductions were done and I was inducted into the Fapohunda family. Baba was to go to my mother’s family home and carry out some traditional rites before claiming me fully. In my part of the world, the man owns the child no matter the circumstance of birth, married or not.

I suddenly became a part of a larger family, I have six elder step sisters and their children, my nieces and nephews that followed me about where ever I went in the Village. I was their only maternal uncle and the kids were all over me with loads of questions. My sisters try to please me one way or the other to cover up for the past years that I was alone. Bu I did not need their help, I was self made. No gap for them to fill so they remained indebted to me some how and I liked it that way.

 

My father shed fresh tears on the day I narrated my ordeal in the hands of the Police Officers at Owerri to him. He screamed again when I pulled off my clothes for him to see my body as I was narrating how I was burnt with hot pressing iron while dangling naked from the ceiling with legs tied. He swore to consult the oracle and send Sango the god of thunder to them, he was furious but I had not finished the story then, when I told him about the rescue by the Navy and the VIP treatment of Oga Dan and my so called girl friend Chioma by the naval police and the eventual arrest of the police officers and other culprits, he was happy that justice eventually prevailed. He was saddened by my sack from the NDA, he would have been more proud to be the father of a military engineer. But he thanked God for my life all the same.

 

My dad insisted we visit Uncle Adegoke’s family before I proceed for the national youth service exercise in January. He felt indebted to the man.

So my dad, my two eldest sisters with their husbands and my friend Akin went to Ibadan in three Cars to pay the Adegoke’s a surprise visit. The boots of our Cars were filled with Yams from Baba’s farm.

Uncle Goke was not expecting us that Saturday morning around 10.00AM, he was dressed in his farm clothes in company of his son Gbadebo and was about entering his car when I pushed the pedestrian gate open and greeted him hastily as I made to open the bigger gates for our small company. Our cars drove in one after the other and parked while he stood with his machete handy looking at us.

I prostrated and greeted him before introducing my people to him. He was confused at first until I told him that the much talked about Baba landlord is actually my biological father! He was happy and he prostrated and greeted my father.

We spent the whole Saturday feasting with the Adegoke’s. It was like a family re union. Like both families have been friends for ages.

My new dad thanked Uncle Adegoke for his efforts in my life; he went into one of the Cars and came back with an envelope.

Please take this as a token of my appreciation. I understand you are into Agriculture, this is the document of my land at Old Ife road, and it is a five hectare parcel of land. Take, it is yours.

Ha! No sir! I can’t take it sir! Please I can’t! Uncle Goke refused

Look! Adegoke! I have forty hectares of land in different parts of Ibadan alone! Common take this thing from me joor!

Uncle Goke collected the envelope and prostrated in gratitude.

 

In the evening, the men sat outside under the Car port to discuss and drink while the women were indoors preparing dinner. Around 7.30PM there was a knock at the pedestrian gate, Gbadebo rushed to attend to the gate. It was Yemisi who had just returned from school. Gbadebo jumped on her and ushered her into the compound carrying her traveling back on his head. She came into the compound and was shocked to see cars and strange men seated with her father. She knelt down and greeted every one before coming to hug her father. Our eyes locked and we smiled at each other before she proceeded to the house.

 

Is that your daughter? My father asked Uncle Goke.

Yes sir! My first daughter! He replied

Is that the girl you told me about? Dad directed the question at me but I pretended not to hear him

Mobolaji! He called.

Sir! Sir! I replied feigning surprise

Is that Goke’s daughter you told me about? Is she the one that is studying medicine in the university? He asked

Yes? She is studying medicine at the university, Mr. Goke offered, and what did Bolaji tell you about her?

They are in love! He wishes to marry her if you would allow him! My father said.

 

Jesu Christi o! I shouted as I got up and ran out of their presence. I opened the pedestrian gate and ran to the nearest beer parlour. This man had killed me!

 

I was at the beer parlour consuming my third bottle of Gulder at 8.00PM when Akin and Yemisi came to meet me there

Ol boy! You no go come house? Akin asked

Guy! Which kind man be this my Papa nah? Who send am message? I beg na wetin happen back there? I asked. My love, are you okay? Hope you were not embarrassed in any way? I asked.

Everything is okay! She said. They called me out and asked if what your father said was the truth!

Jesu Christi o! And what did you say? I asked

 

She was confused at first when they introduced Baba to her as your father, Akin offered; she was just looking at her dad and Baba until I explained to her that you just discovered your father recently and he has come to shoe gratitude to her family for their role in your life. But BJ, I like this your Babe o! she did not give them an answer, she insisted on speaking with you first until her father asked her if you guys are in a relationship and she said yes.

Then what happened? I asked

Your father jumped up and started to sing and dance! Akin said

My God! Come here my love! I pulled Yemisi closer and apologized for my fathers behavior. I paid the bills of my drink and we walked out of the Bar.

 

I am sorry for the embarrassment my love, please I am very sorry! I was not prepared for this at all that was why I ran, I did not know how your dad would react. I should have known that old man had some tricks up his sleeves when he insisted we came to Ibadan with other family members! He had it all planned out! I tried to explain.

 

It is okay! She said; I was equally shocked because you would have informed me some how before bringing your family to meet mine for marriage talk.

 

No! No! Far from it! I said, it was supposed to be an appreciation visit! After I narrated the role your father played in my life to my new found dad, he insisted he must see them! Of course I told him about you too, I said you were still in school but I will wait until you graduate. He said delay was dangerous! He said we can get married while you are still in school, I told him we would need to discuss it and agree together, I mean you and I. that was all we discussed about you and I until he came and embarrassed me. In fact my love, a lot has happened in my life since the last time we saw, it’s been about a year now abi?

Yes! There about. She concurred

My love, I would have been dead! In fact I died and resurrected! A lot happened! Quite a lot! I even ventured into the Army! I would have come to visit you at school in military regalia as a lieutenant!

Ha! For real? What happened? She asked as we approached their gate.

Yes dear! But it was not to be! I could not withstand the vigorous training at NDA. I said.

Oh! Why nah? She asked.

I was broken into pieces by some disgruntled Police men. The men that killed me! My dear, it’s a long story joor! But I will tell you all of it tonight.

 

We entered the compound through the pedestrian gate only to see my father dancing to the music of Orlando Owo while telling them of his escapades as a police officer. Every one was outside listening to him.

I wanted to sneak into the house through the side of a car parked close to the front door when Yemisi’s mother called out.

 

Our inlaw! Run away in-law! Come here o!

Jesu Christi o! I exclaimed. I wanted to turn and flee again but Akin held me back launghing.

Iro ni o! It’s a lie! You are not running away again! He said as he grabbed me by my belt.

Yemisi’s mother got up and danced towards me.

Oko mi! My husband! Don’t worry! Don’t be embarrassed! It is all settled! Your father is a very wonderful man, he had it all planned out without telling you, but we have discussed in detail now.

What did you people discuss please? I asked.

Everything about you and my daughter’s marriage! She said.

What of your husband? How did he react? I asked.

Will he marry his daughter? She asked. Meanwhile I had told him to expect such move from you in no distant future. My daughter does not keep any secret from me so I have of your relationship from the day you had your eyes on her when you saw how matured she had grown! Remember that last time you visited?

Mummy I remember o! Phew! Jesu o seun o! I exclaimed.

She laughed heartily and pulled me to her husband who got up and hugged me passionately.

We need to talk sir! I told him. I need to give you an update of what has happened to me since we last saw each other.

So while my dad was busy telling the people about February 3^rd, I followed Uncle Goke into the sitting room, I beckoned at my love to follow me. We sat down around the centre table and I told them everything that I had been through in the past twelve months. The high point was when I pulled off my clothes and showed them my body. Those outside ran into the house when they heard the screams from Uncle Goke and Yemisi.

Yemisi however went through the scars and promised that she would help me get some ointment that would clear the scars appreciable. That’s my Doctor speaking! I said while the whole house laughed. She was twenty years old and just finished her three hundred levels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue reading “The Abandoned Child…Season 15” →

CHAPTER 22

I finished my clearance from school and collected my result. I still saw some of my mates who did not graduate immediately at school running around as normal students because they had “carry over” courses. Many thought I had “carry over” courses too when they saw me around the administrative office.

I traveled to the Army 82 division HQ in Enugu to meet with the GOC with a letter from Commodore Aboderin. He was expecting me and he gave me a hand written recommendation letter sealed in his official envelope “Office of the GOC 82 Division”. I was to submit the letter to the commission panel at NDA.

Amara and I had started to date naturally; she had spent most of her free moments with me. She is a very nice company and I wished I had consented to DJ Slams advice earlier, not to wire her o! But to enter a relationship with her because she was so different from Chioma and her crazy crew.

After two months of training at NDA Kaduna, I could not continue with the exercise, I was not fit to go on! I was not qualified to be an Army officer. I cried from night till dawn the day I was given my discharge letter base on medical complications.

It had started from the first day I arrived at NDA for screening, everything had gone well until it was time for medical check up. Everyone in the Clinic that saw me remove my clothes screamed when they saw my body. If not for the quality of my referee, I would have been disqualified immediately. The chief medical consultant was invited by the resident Doctor, a major in the Army to determine the progress of my screening. The Chief consultant, a brigadier general said I should be given a pass because of my referee. He asked me about the scars on my body and I told him how it came about and how Commodore Aboderin came to my rescue. He felt sorry for me. He said if I had incurred the injuries while serving as a Soldier, it would not be an issue, but to be so battered when I have not even joined the Army was unacceptable especially for the fact that I have been operated upon. He told me I would not be able to survive the six months training here if really my joints were dislocated and my bones broken. However I will be an exception because I have an outstanding result.

The Medical Doctor made his recommendation on my form and presented it to the panel but the members of the panel waved it aside and I was eventually short listed but the police brutality I suffered almost year ago had done too much damage to my body.

I could not stand for long on the parade ground, my ankles and knees begins to shake, it started gradually at first and I was enduring it but it worsened with time.
I could not do much “push up” exercise, initially I was doing up to forty push ups but as time progressed, it reduced until I could not do more that ten pus ups before my shoulder pulls off and I will just lie on my belly like a snake until some one pulls me up and my shoulder is pushed into place again.
On the obstacle crossing exercise where we cross over a deep ditch filled with bottles and stones by pulling on a strong rope tied across the ditch, we use our hands and legs and pull across the ditch without looking down into the ditch.
Every time I tried to climb the rope, I fell into the ditch half way because it reminded me of the day I was hung on the ceiling and secondly my shoulder pulls off the Socket midway and I ended up falling into the ditch and sustaining injuries that led me to the clinic. I was always in and out of the clinic. I was a complete mess and I was always in pains.

The Army had no choice but to call back the person on the awaiting list from my state to replace me and I was advised to go back home and take care of my self and avoid rigorous activities for at least five years so I could heal up completely.

To say I was sad is an understatement! I was broken down and out! I was depressed. Not after seeing the bright future the army had for me! Not after wearing the Army uniforms that fitted me so much like I was a model! Not after enjoying so much respect from soldiers and civilians in the NDA barracks! I had planned on going for a conversion course two years after I pass out so that I would become a regular combatant instead of a short service officer. Short service officers are those that joined the army after graduating for Polytechnics or universities to be come officers and cannot grow beyond the rank of a Colonel. They are mostly retired after spending fifteen years and not exceeding the rank of a Colonel, they stay very long at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. But if such an officer goes for a conversion course and passes, then he looses one step seniority, that is, his mates move a rank ahead of him while he marks time at a rank for almost xix years but after then, he begins to grow and leaves his mates at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to become a general. I had it all planned out.
I did not write to tell Uncle Goke because I wanted to appear in my uniform to surprise the family. I had fantasized on marching into Ijan Ekiti in my military uniform. My God! I was depressed.
I returned every military property with me to the Army and left with my nap sack on my back on a Friday morning in December 1997. The only thing that reminds me of my sojourn to NDA was the pictures I took while I was there. Outside the premises I turned back and looked at the gate of the NDA with teary eyes, I sat by the gate and began to cry like a hungry baby and I cried my eyes out shamelessly. Why is my own luck different? Must I suffer gravely before I succeed? I am an Orphan by every right but I have not allowed that to pull be back, then why is life so unfair to me? Have I not suffered enough in this life already? From the loss of Grand ma to the death of Pharaoh to the humiliation form modupe and eventual rip off by modupe’s family. To the hustling for survival at Owerri, teaching, barbing, bar man, burning the mid night candle! All in the bid to dare to succeed and now that I think I have succeeded, this is where I find myself. I wish I could kill myself but I know that was not possible, I am not a white man. If I kill myself I would go to hell fire! So I have grown to understand.
I was seated at the NDA gate until 6 PM when one of the instructors Major Chudi was about to drive in and saw me dozing. He called me and invited me for a drink. We drove down to the Officers mess in NDA barracks. He advised me to go back to my school and pick up my NYSC letter as another bath of youth corps members would be hitting camp early next year 1998. He told me to take what has happened in good faith and move on with my life. He told me that I already had the military connections and my mates in NDA are my colleagues for life, he said wherever I am in Nigeria, one of them must be in a barracks close to me so whenever I need any military assistance, I should walk into any barracks close to me and asked for any member of my intake in the barracks. I drank six bottles of Gulder in the mess before he drove me to the airport to catch a 7.30 PM flight to Owerri. That was my first time in a plane, I wished the plane could crash and kill only me; at least it would not be suicide. But I slept off immediately the plane took off.
I took an airport Taxi that drove me straight to the Naval Logistics training school at Owerrinta. Commodore already knew what had happened to me. He pulled me into a hug and held me close as I started to cry all over that night. He brought out a bottle of brandy and we shared. He reminded me that it was not the will of God that I become an Army officer. He said I should move on by going for my National youth service corps programme, he said he would call the NYSC commandant to post me to Owerri so I could be close to him, he said he can influence my posting into the Navy training school to teach or to work with their engineers.
I told him I would prefer the engineers.
I told him I could no longer stay with him in the barracks because all his boys that have been respecting me because they knew I was going to become an officer soonest would now be laughing at me when they realized I was sacked from NDA. He said we have many non commissioned Officers in the barracks that have gone to NDA and returned without success, it was not a big deal but a way of life. He said I should nit think about what people think about me but to focus on how to climb up to a grater height. He said that as long as I am a graduate, I will always drink in the officer’s mess and not the petty officers or soldiers mess! He felt bad though, especially for the fact that he had blown the GOC’s slot. The GOC will never give him any opportunity to recommend someone again. That is how it works. I felt worse.

I went o visit Amara the next day, she was at her off-campus home so I went o meet her at school, she was so happy to see me at first but there was no joy in my face so she knew all was not well. We went outside and sat beneath a tree and I told her the whole story and she became very sad too. She said she had told all her friends that when I would come to see her, I would come with a military uniform with the rank of a second lieutenant. I told her that that was my plan too. Some of her friends came around to meet her as we sat under the tree and when she introduced me to them as Bolaji her Boy friend, they saluted and stamped their feet in the military way “Shun sir” they said. These made me sad and I left her with tears in my eyes.
I suddenly fell home sick, I was done with Owerri for now, I needed to be where no one knew of my military exploits, I needed to go home and come back for my NYSC call up letter in January 1998. Meanwhile Oga Dan and co are being held at the state CID facility awaiting trial. They will definitely go to jail for murder and aiding and abating.

I told the Commodore that I was home sick and would love to travel home and return in January, it was already eight days to Christmas. He said I could go with one of his Cars but I declined. I do not know how to drive yet and it was not necessary. I did not tell Amara that I was going home. I felt I had let her down. Meanwhile with her brother and co about to go to jail because of me, there was not going to be a smooth sail future between Amara and I. how can you marry the man that sent your elder brother to jail? This is Africa. Her family will never accept me. Our people have a saying that “A bad wife is tolerable but not bad in-laws”.

CHAPTER 23

I was tempted to stop by at Ibadan and see the Adegokes’ on my way home to Ekiti but I was not in a good mood so I brooded on my misfortunes in the bus until I got to the Motor Park at Ado Ekiti. I trekked to the mini park where our Village Cabs parked and boarded a cab. I entered the Cab and there was my friend Akin with his wife and a new born baby already in the cab. He was surprised to see me
Eniyan nie tabi ebora? He asked if I was dead or alive with obvious uneasiness as he shifted in his seat away from me
Kilode? Ebora bi bawo? I asked.
We thought you were dead! He said.
Dead? Who told you guys that? I asked
Are you really alive Bolaji? He asked as he felt my flesh with his hands.
I am alive Akin! I said. I had some issues sha! But I survived it! Meanwhile who told you guys that I was dead?
Baba landlord! He went to Owerri to look for you, he located the Hotel where you worked and he was told that the Police had shot and killed you accidentally, he asked for your Corpse and he was told it is government’s property still under investigation. He planned to go there again after the New Year celebration to bring your corpse home for proper burial.
Wow! Well, I survived it. But why did he go to Owerri to look for me? I asked.
Hmm, BJ, a lot has happened since you left o! But thank God you are back, hale and hearty! How far with your NYSC programme? Where were you posted to? He asked.
I have not gone! I will follow the next batch in January, I said. My wife! How are you and the baby? I greeted the wife who had been stealing glances at me as I discussed with Akin.
We are doing well sir! Welcome sir! She said.
Is that my baby? Can I have him? I asked
He is your name sake! We named him after you. Akin said.
Wow! I am flattered! I said. Give me BJ junior please!
Madam handed over the chubby little Lad to me and my heart melted. Akin my age mate is already a father at twenty eight. The child looked brand new.
How old is he? I asked.
Three months yesterday! We went to the hospital for vaccination. Wow BJ! I am so glad to see you o! You must stay in my house tonight! There is a lot to talk!
No wahala! Wow see how cute this baby is! He looks like em, who does he look like? You or Iyawo?
Omo daddy ni o! The wife said. Carbon copy of his father!
Ehen? I have never been privileged to be with kids so it was difficult for me to imagine how this lovely baby could look like Akin with his fat nose.
But his nose is not big nah? I said.
Akin laughed; the nose will grow with time! He is my split image!
Ehen? I asked
Hen! Akin replied.
I held the smiling baby close to my chest as the Cab lurched forward.

We stopped at the front of Akins’s Shop in the Village, the shop was at the front of his father’s compound facing the express road that ran through our Village, and they call the Area “Sharp Corner” because the express road is a sharp bend at that point.
Akin was doing very well in his Cocoa business. Within a year that I gave him money for the business he had grown it over five hundred percent. He had fifteen dried bags of cocoa seeds in his store and while I was there, people were still bringing Cocoa seeds to him to buy. He weighs the seeds on a scale and pays per kilogram. He said his boys had taken some bags to Akure City to deliver to his Client Company that produces beverages, he will be taking another twenty bags there tomorrow. He said he supplies an average of eighty bags per week to different Customers in Akure and Ibadan cities. Sometimes the Customers send their Vans to pick up their supplies from his shop in Ijan Ekiti because the capacity of his Peugeot 404 pick-up van can only carry eight full bags per trip.
Akin had already started the foundation of his personal house in the Village. He said cocoa business is like drug business and advised that I should invest in it. I told him I would think it over.

We discussed over a keg of soured palm wine, which was the best we could get at that time of the day while the wife hurriedly prepared hot pounded yam and egusi soup with bush meat for us. I felt at home, home is home.

There was a lot to gist about as we talked into the night. He told me a lot of things that had happened in the Village since I left in January. He was still talking when I fell asleep, he later woke me up and directed me to a room prepared for me.

The next morning, after I had taken my bath and eaten, I was ready to leave for my house. Akin told me to sit down for a discussion.
Bolaji, there is something I must tell you before you get to your house! He said.
Kilo tu de o! I exclaimed. What has happened again! Who died? Is Tunde okay?
Your boy is doing great, he comes around to work for me at times and gets his pay.
So what is it? I asked. What of Baba landlord?
Hmm, BJ please calm down! Your mother is back! He said.
What? I asked. My what?
Your mother! He repeated; and that’s not all!
What again? I was on my feet covered with goose pimples
Baba Landlord is your father! Your biological father! He said
Jesu Christi o! I exclaimed and sat down quietly.
Calm down BJ, Baba Landlord went to Owerri to look for you when your mother arrived some months ago. He traced you to that hotel you told us about and he was told that you have been killed by the Police, they told him you were a cultist and you killed someone or so, so the police arrested you and shot you accidentally when you were trying to escape. We did not believe that story about you being a cultist but we believed you were killed by the police mistakenly, and that was what Baba landlord told everyone in the village except me. He came back home broken hearted and he has not been well since then, remember he had no son except for Tunde his grandson, so your discovery and loss was like the gods were playing with his head! I have been taking care of him in your absence. He told me he had a brief affair with your mother while he was serving in Lagos some years back but was suddenly redeployed back to the north, his wife had died by then. They lost contact. He said he had been trying to tell you about his relationship with your mother when you came home last time but you were not interested in anything about your mother and he was not very sure if you would like to hear that he dated your mother. He said he was suspicious of the fact that you could be his son because you were conceived about the same period he was with your mother in Lagos but who would he tell? They would think his desire to have a son has derailed him.

Baba Landlord is my biological father! Ha! Olorun o! Jesu o! So I have a father after all? So I am not a bastard? Ha! Akin! I jumped up. So I am not a bastard after all? And I have been drinking palm wine and eating bush meat with my father without knowing he is my father? Those that taunted me where are you now? I have a father! I am not a bastard! I have a surname! My surname is Oguntola! My name is Mobolaji Oguntola! Not Mobolaji Fadipe! Fadipe is my mother’s sur name. I am an indigene of this town! I broke down and cried, I did not know if I was crying for joy or out of frustration at the world. Akin! I called; so I will call someone Daddy in this life? I will call someone mummy also? Hen Akin?
Yes my friend! Akin said as he stood up and hugged me.
Please what does my mother look like? I asked.
Your mother is very beautiful sir, you took her looks! Akins wife who had joined us in the sitting offered. She is dark, tall and slim. She said.
But she is sick! Akin said.
Sick? What is she sick of? I asked
No one answered me, husband and wife looked at each other, silence.
Is it HIV aids or Cancer? I asked.
Akin nodded his head. Yes BJ they say it is HIV aids.
Well, if it took HIV aids to bring her back to me after almost twenty eight years, then I thank the disease, it is better to see her alive than dead, at least she will be able to answer many of the questions I had stored up for her.
I lifted my nap sack and hugged Akin: you are a man Akin! Thank you! Let me go and see my Parents! It sounded somehow to my ear, “my parents” I never used that word in my almost twenty years of existence.
I am coming with you BJ. I need to give Baba landlord, sorry, I mean your father some drugs I bought from Ado.

CHAPTER 20

 

 

I came alive with this throbbing piercing pain on my shoulders, I cried out and opened my eyes, every where was blurry at first then I could see light. I sneezed severally before I noticed the person standing by my bed. Even sneezing was a painful activity.

 

Sorry, relax! Relax! He said as he touched my body and checked my vital signs, he opened my eye lids and pointed some luminous instrument into my eyes, and he felt for my pulse as some other person joined him.

Is he back?

Yes! He pulled through!

Wow! Thank God o! After five months in coma!

God still has a use of him

God or Satan?

Well, it is God that gives life!

Let’s hope he will change for good

We don’t know him yet!

What else do you need to know other than he must be an escaped criminal? A fugitive! Let us call the Police now that he is conscious!

The Police? Have you forgotten this is a naval base?

Ehen? Is it not the police’s job to handle such matters?

Then it is not your responsibility to call the police! The Commandant is interested in this matter! The United nation’s attaché that brought him here is interested in him also so please hold your peace!

 

No please! No police! I interrupted their discussion: the Police will kill me!

Why? One of them asked

They did this to me! I said

What? The Police did this to you?

Yes! I managed to say before I fell into another long sleep.

 

I spent a total of six months at Owerrinta naval training school hospital. The Naval patrol had picked my body up from the popular “Boro Pit” along Aba-Port Harcourt express road. Some scavengers picking items for recycling from the refuse dump had seen that I was still breathing, and then they alerted the patrol that happened to drive by at that time. It was about 3.AM. The Navy had put me in their Van and taken me to the emergency ward of their hospital. They said I was naked and battered like a thief who escaped being mauled by a group of community youths. There was bullet wound on my stomach.

The police that arrested me had driven my body all the way from Owerri to Aba and dumped into the Boro pit to rot,

 

I told the commandant of the Base the story of my life, from my birth to my death, and then he told me my story from my death to my resurrection.

 

He said I was taken to the ICU immediately they brought me to the hospital that morning around 3.40AM. My intestine was popping out from my stomach and I was a complete mess. No normal hospital would have accepted to treat me but for a military facility or a teaching hospital. They had cleaned and patched me up. My joints were broken and my shoulders pulled from the sockets with torn ligaments, my penis was like a ball of grape, it was swollen and scorched, my buttocks and thighs were swollen with deep razor blade cuts and scorched with electric iron. My back and stomach were not spared of the same treatment I was better left for dead! There were sores all over my body and they cleaned me up every day, I was put on oxygen life support when I developed a fever and I became very ill while I was still unconscious in the bed.

Commodore Aboderin told me that I was actually saved by a UN attaché who was working with the Patrol team that night. The attaché was in Nigeria, Aba to be precise to monitor the activities of the Bakassi boys at curbing crime in the state of Abia. It was the foreigner that insisted that I was brought to the naval hospital for treatment even though the naval officers in the Van had told her that I was a criminal caught and tried by the Bakassi boys. She had told them that my case is not similar to the way Bakassi Boys treat thieves. The Bakassi boys would tie up the thief, cut him or her into pieces and then burn off the body.

She said I was a victim of jungle justice.

The commandant said I was very fortunate because many people have died innocently in the hands of the Nigerian Police.

 

I poured out my concerns to the commandant; what would have happened to me if the Scavengers had not discovered my body that morning? What if it had rained heavily that night while I was lying in refuse dump dying? What if the pigs and dogs that roam at the refuse dump had gotten there before the scavengers? With my intestines popping out of my stomach? What if the Vultures had gotten to my body first? It was even possible for head hunters for ritual purposes or any of their suppliers to have gotten to the dump that morning and found my body. It was by the mercies of God that I had come out of the police brutality alive.

I could not really place how everything happened because it happened so fast simultaneously. I was not given a chance to defend my self; the police station was a torture zone for the fact that they have such a room at the station that was sound proof. The Police Officers had tortured to kill me and they eventually shot me in the stomach and disposed my body. In my presence I saw the dangling body of another of their victim that was tortured to death. They would also dispose such body! Does it mean no one ask them questions? My case was peculiar because no one would have asked for me. Mr. Adegoke would be waiting forever to hear from me and if he does not hear from me after several years, he would assume I have abandoned him to be on my own. My Yemisi would assume that is the way of men and their sweet talk. I would simply have disappeared just as many others must have been made to disappear by the police. This is jungle justice

It was the third quarter of 1997; I was twenty eight years old and my mates were already into the NYSC programme. This was not the situation I had expected to find myself in life. I know my call up letter must have gone back to Abuja, my friends and well wishers would have expected to know where I was posted to for the service year. My so called friends at the hotel had betrayed me; I was not given a fair hearing as their minds had been poisoned against me even before I returned from home. Oga Dan had gone to call the Police when he excused himself for five minutes during our discussion in his office, Oga Dan could have told me that I was wanted by the police so that I could run away or find a way to go and explain myself at the station, I would have called Mr. Goke via the NITEL pay phone centre springing up in the country and explain the situation of things to him. He would have advised me or come down to follow me to the station. I just kept ranting and repeating myself until the commander asked me a simple question.

Would you like to join the military? He asked.

I was surprise because I was not talking in that direction, I was tongue tied at first.

Would you? He asked again

Sir! I am a graduate of Electrical and electronics engineering. I would love to practice my profession sir! I have never in my life thought of the military as a career!

I am also a mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Ife and I am practicing my profession in the Navy! In fact, there is no better place to practice your profession than the military. Be you a Doctor, a Lawyer, a musician, a tailor or brick layer, there is a place for every one in the military. We do our things our selves here by using our professionals.

Sir! I heard it is a very tough and rigorous process to join the military. I asked.

 

You have been through tougher experience lately! Look! I like you and would love to help you; the present GOC of the 82nd Division is a very good friend and colleague of mine, he has given me one slot to present a candidate on his behalf at the next Officer Cadet short service commission next month

 

Ha! Sir, I am yet to go for my youth service! Won’t the certificate be necessary? I asked

By then you will be serving as a Soldier and you will apply for exception from the NYSC, he said.

Ha Sir! I don’t know how to thank you o!

I got up and prostrated before him; God will bless you sir! May your children meet with divine favour where ever they may be sir!

Amen! Stand up please! He said.

I don’t know what next to do sir, but one thing for certain is that I need to go to the hotel and retrieve my belongings then I need to go to school for my clearance and my result. I will also need to rent a temporal apartment as I sort my self together! I need some time to think over my new life! The twist in my life is so sudden that I still feel like I am in a dream world.

No problem Bolaji, take everything step by step, you can use a room at my BQ while you tie up the loose ends in your life. I have no doubt about your integrity because from all the information our intelligence unit gathered about you, you have been set up!

Oh you investigated me? I asked

We are not stupid! We are the navy! He said

Wow! Did you find out about the girls in my life? I asked shyly.

 

Chioma, Katherine and Theresa? Even the Amara that is dying for you!” he said

Ha! Jesu Christi o! You people have exposed me o!

We think Chioma set you up! Her boy friend or do I say former boy friend was killed along with your friend DJ Slam. It is complicated sha! But we are still working on certain links and the less you know the better. I am offering to help you as an act of service to God and man! If a foreigner could help to save your life as a black man, then I should do more for you as a black brother and fellow Yoruba.

I will assign one of my boys to follow you to the hospital for check up, then he will drive you to Owerri, he will be with you until you go to NDA next month.

I prostrated again: ese pupo sir! Thank you so much sir!

 

 

 

 

The hotel was quiet when we got there at 10 AM, I had been wearing the same clothes for over a week, and I don’t even know who bought the dress for me. I needed access to my clothes. The Orderly assigned to me parked the Toyota Avensis 2.2 at the parking lot and together we went upstairs to Oga Dan’s office. The Orderly kicked the door with his boot as I was about knocking and the door flung inwards startling Oga Dan and the lady sitting on his laps with her breast over his face. It was Chioma sitting on Oga Dan’s laps with her blouse unbuttoned. She jumped out of her skin as she saw me.

Ghost o! Ghost o! You are dead! You are dead! She screamed pointing at me and cowering beside the refrigerator in the office

How can? Oga Dan asked; but you were dead! I saw the picture of your battered corpse!

Is that why you are putting on my clothes? I asked; you are wearing a dead man’s clothes!

He hurriedly pulled off everything he wore save for his boxers.

Please take your clothes if it is what you have come for! I have no hand in your death! He said throwing my clothes towards me.

Put my clothes in my bag and give me the keys to where ever you kept my belongings, I have come to pack my things!

Em em, your things are no longer in the hotel! We shared everything amongst our selves when the police said you were dead!

What? The Orderly shouted; you mean that you people shared his property without his family’s consent? Is that what he wrote in his will?

No sir! Oga Dan said; but please is this man dead or not?

I am not dead Oga Dan! Your plans failed! God came to my rescue for I am more than a conqueror! I don’t even believe I could use that biblical phrase, though it suited the situation at hand.

It was at this point that Chioma came under the attack of epileptic seizure; she started to shake and contort as she fell to the ground.

Help me! Help me help her! Oga Dan shouted

Leave her! I said; just get a metal spoon and put between her teeth then hold her in position until she calms down.

Is that all? Will that do? Oga Dan asked nervously as he got a spoon from inside the refrigerator and forced it between Chioma’s gnashing teeth. He held onto her as she convulsed for fifteen minutes before she was relieved.

By this time, some of the staff of the hotel had come into the office. Oga Dan was half naked wearing only his boxers while Chioma was in his arms with her blouse opened exposing her breast. I looked up at the cabinet in Oga Dan’s office and saw my travelling bag there, the one I returned from home with on the day of my arrest. I brought it down, my documents were intact.

 

Chioma got hold of herself and started to dress up shamefully.

 

Oga Dan and Chioma! I called. How on earth did the two of you start to date each other? My two good friends! I can’t understand! I asked.

 

It is Chioma o! BJ believe me it was Chioma that told me that you were a cultist and was involved in the death of DJ Slam, she also testified to the Police that you were on the run, even when you died, it was Chioma that that told me that you have no relations that would come for your property, that was why I shared it; Oga Dan confessed.

 

Chioma! Is it true? I asked; am I a cultist? Did Slam himself not tell you that I was a Jew man? What did I do to you to set me up even unto my death? And now you are sleeping with my boss? Chioma!

You were sleeping with my friends! She snapped

Oh! Is that it? The truth is that all of you are the same! You and your friends are a rotten lot! Your friends came after me when you left me because I refused to buy the Car for you! I begged you severally to no avail so you have no right to be jealous that I was sleeping with your friends! So is that why you set me up? To the extent that I was killed by the police and it does not bother you? Let me show you something.

I unbuttoned my shirt and pulled off my singlet, everyone in the office screamed.

I pulled off my shoes and pulled down my trousers then I pulled my boxers up to reveal the scars on my thighs.

This is what the police did to me! I turned round for every one to see. Someone pushed her way to the front of the small crowd in the office, it was Amara. She screamed when she saw me, she closed her mouth with her hands when she saw my battered body and she sank to the floor.

I continued; I was arrested for no just cause! I was cuffed and hung from the ceiling naked. I was flogged continuously for one hour! I was burnt all over with pressing iron! My ankles and my knees were dislocated with a hammer! I was slashed with razor blades and the wounds stashed with red hot paper for no just cause! They used pliers to break the small bones on my feet. I cried, I screamed!  I begged but no help came! My shoulder was pulled from my body! Then I was shot in the stomach! My intestines came out! Then I was carried all the way to Boro pit in Aba to die!

Who did this to you! Who did this to you BJ? Amara rose and came over to me crying! They said you were dead! They said you were a cultist! They said you killed Slam but I did not believe them! I did not know where to find you but I did not believe them! Then I heard you were arrested and have been killed too! I was confused! Oh my God so you are alive! Who did you offend? She wailed.

 

You brother and his girl friend set me up Amara!

What? She was shocked; my brother? And his girl friend? Which of his girl friends? She asked

Look at them standing together! I said;

What? This girl? Your former girl friend?

Yes! I said

How? Brother why? Amara asked

It is the girl that deceived me Amara! She had hidden agenda and scores to settle with BJ so she used me!

And at your age you allowed this common prostitute to use you? I have not liked this girl from day one! I knew she was dangerous but I could not tell you BJ, I told Slam but I could not tell you! She said.

DJ Slam told me! In fact he told me everything you wanted to tell me but I was a fool not to be able to read between the lines.

 

Ha! Human beings are wicked o! Amara faced her brother and Chioma; look at somebody’s child! Look! Look! What you people did to him! Look at scars on a human beings body? Can these scars ever wipe off for life? Look at the bullet wound on his stomach! And you people have the temerity to sleep with each other after killing him? God! Human beings! And brother why are you naked? What is wrong with you?

He was wearing my clothes! I said; everything he wore was mine except for the boxers. He thought I was a ghost when I entered his office so he pulled off my clothes as if it was what I had come back for!

Nonsense! Amara said as she packed the clothes her brother pulled and put them back in my bag; put on your clothes BJ and let’s get out of here! God will judge these people! Let’s leave them for God!

Leave who for God? The Orderly who has been quiet all the while shouted. Oya two of you, forward March to the base! When we reach base, then una go sabi the difference between the Police and the navy!

 

 

CHAPTER 21

 

Contrary to my expectations, the navy did not torture Chioma and Oga Dan in order to get their confessionary statements. They were given the VIP treatment.

 

When we returned to Owerrinta base, we went to the commandant’s office and gave him the update of our journey. He joined us in his official car and together we drove to the naval police unit.

Commodore Aboderin went into the office of the Naval Police CO while his orderly took Chioma and Oga Dan to the guard room section and handed them over to the petty officer on duty. I was later called in by an SO and was given a note pad to write my statement.

After writing my statement and submitting the note pad to the SO, Oga Dan requested for the note pad so he could write his statement too.

Not now! You are not ready yet! The petty officer said to him.

Me? No o! I am very ready sir! Oga Dan said.

No sir! The PO said, when you are ready you will know.

 

The CO NP( Commanding officer naval police) and commodore Aboderin met us at the counter of the guard room, the ratings in the Office came to attention and saluted the presence of the personnel that walked in. the Commodore acknowledged the salute.

You are Mr. Daniel kwo? The CO NP asked Oga Dan

Yes sir! I am Daniel Maduabuchi sir!

Kai! You are the man sucking breast in your office kwo? Shege! Dan banza! See ya mouth! The CO said and started to laugh as Oga Dan bowed in shame.

 

And you are the Chioma kwo? He asked Chioma

Yes sir! Chioma nodded her head. Good afternoon sir! She said

 

Yoowa! Em, PO! Please give them the VIP treatment first! You know they are civilians, this one is an Oga in the hotel and this one is a girl, don’t torture them o! Just start with the VIP treatment! The CO said. If they don’t cooperate, then you can torture them.

Yes sir! The petty officer saluted and called on the SO.

Oya get the korofo marshal and his tool box!

Yes sir! The SO who is a corporal equivalent answered and scurried out of the office.

 

Thank you very much sir! God bless you sir! Oga Dan said after the senior officers as they walked out of the guard room section.

Bolaji! You guys can go home from here! I am going back to the training school! The Commodore stopped and told us; and by the way, I hope you got all your belongings from the hotel?

 

Oga! This stupid man here! Pointing at Oga Dan. Don share all Oga Bolaji property finish walahi! He say he think say Oga Bolaji don yamutu! Even the clothe wey he wear when we enter him office na Oga Bolaji own! The Orderly said.

Hmm, life! Commodore Aboderin shrugged and went to his Car.

 

Wetin be VIP treatment? I asked the Orderly; and by the way sef! Wetin be your name? Me and you don dey waka together since yesterday and I no know your name! I said

Oga Bolaji, dem no dey ask Soja man for him name o! My name dey my name tag! He replied.

Oh sorry! Na true you talk o! And I dey with you since yet my mind no go there! I said and saw that his name was Adamu Shuaibu.

Okay Adamu, wetin be VIP treatment? I asked

It means “very important personality” Adamu replied.

I know nah! But how is it like? I asked

You want to know? He asked

Yes! I want to know! I replied

Okay! Make we go outside go wait and see. He said.

 

After about fifteen minutes, the soldiers brought Chioma and Oga Dan outside to the mini-parade ground in front of the NP building. Chioma and Oga Dan had been kitted with military porch bags strapped over their shoulders, helmets on their heads and boots on their feet; they also gave them condemned riffles to carry. Oga Dan looked funny because he wore these regalia on his boxers.

 

They were told to stand apart, they looked confused and terrified. After minutes of standing outside, the korofo marshal, a giant creature came along dragging two ferocious looking Rottweiler’s. Immediately the dogs saw the duo of Oga Dan and Chioma, they charged and started to bark and prance towards them. The dogs knew the drill.

 

Oga Dan and Chioma wanted to run, but to where? They ran into each other and started to scream out loud. The marshal chained the dogs to a pole on the floor close the where Chioma and Oga Dan were told to stand.

 

Now listen to me! The Soldier said; I am the Korofo marshal! I am LS Slaughter or sergeant Slaughter if you like! This is my small parade and I hate people that do not follow my instructions! He used the big swagger stick in his hands and drew a circle on the sandy ground.

Oga! Enter here! He told Oga Dan

He drew another circle on the floor

Oya Auntie! You enter here!

They both entered the circle while adjusting the bags strapped over their shoulders.

Something dey inside that bag? I asked Adamu

Yes! Na wet sand and stones full am!

Jesu Christi o! I exclaimed

Now listen to the instructions of this parade! The marshal continued

Number one! Thou shall not leave the circle under any circumstances! Anything you want to do, either to shit or to piss, to laugh or to cry, never leave the circle!

Number two! Thou shall not drop your armament! No matter the condition, rain or shine!

Number three! Thou shall not sit down!

If any of these rules is broken, there shall be consequences! He said and looked at his wrist watch, then he turned around to leave.

Sir! Oga Dan called

The marshal turned swiftly back and stood at ease to face Oga Dan; yes? He asked.

Biko, please! Oga Dan said softly almost in tears; what is the consequence sir?

The dogs will tell you! The marshal said and turned abruptly to march out of their presence and at that instance, the two dogs started to bark and jump towards Oga Dan and Chioma.

 

Chineke me e! Oga Dan screamed

Awun’a na m o! Nkita a ta gbuo m na barracks ndi navy o! chaii! Ewu ata go m atu n’isi o!

 

Chioma too was crying and calling for help

Bolaji please forgive me o! I am sorry for everything! Eewoo! Mama m o! Please o!

 

Oga Bolaji, I beg me I want to smoke cigarette o! You dey smoke? Adamu asked

No, I no dey smoke, I replied

Oya make we go sidon for under that mango tree there! He said

We moved towards the Mango tree close to the office from where we could watch the VIPs. There was a wooden bench there and a woman with a cooler on a small table in front of her. We greeted the woman and sat down.

 

Akwai kunu? Adamu asked the woman

Akwai sir! She replied

Akwai sanyi? Adamu asked

Akwai sanyi sosai! She replied

To! Bani insha! Adamu said.

She gave him a cup and a chilled bottle of kunu

Oga, you sabi this one? Adamu asked me as he pulled off his beret and clipped it on the shoulder of his uniform.

No! I replied.

It is made from dawa! He said.

Dawa? Na wetin be dat one? I asked

Wheat! It is like pap but made from wheat and it is watery unlike normal pap made from maize. The thing good well well and he dey give blood for body! He said.

What? He dey give blood? I asked; no be wheat you say dem take make am? I asked.

Yes nah! He replied.

Okay o! I said. Is it alcoholic? He dey shack? I asked

Haba! No o! kunu no dey shack person! Na the senior brother pito dey shack! That one na gero dem dey take do am! He said

Wetin be gero? I asked

Kai! I no know the English name faa! But na gero every body dey call am. He was referring to millet.

Walahi if you drink pito ehn? You no go drink beer again! Adamu continued as he brought out a pack of Rothmans from his breast pocket and lit a stick.

You mean am? I asked

Walahi! He replied. Just as Oga Dan started to shout.

 

Chioma o! chioma o! ogini ka m mere gi n’uwa!? Kedu ka isi tiyem n’ime udi nsogbu a! chioma what did I do to you that you would put me in such a situation as this! Chai! I am suffering o! These bags are too heavy o!

Oga Dan was restless; he was shifting the weight of the bags from one shoulder to the other.

Chioma was doing the same but she was not shouting like Oga Dan. The two were sweating profusely and the dogs were getting more agitated.

 

They are lazy people! Adamu said as he puffed out smoke from his burnt lips. They won’t last! He said.

How long do you think they will last? I asked

I don’t know, but they will be there until they break down! He said

Break down? I asked; how will we know they have broken down? I asked

We will all know! Even the dogs will know! He replied.

Ha! Okay! But how long can a normal human being last with the VIP treatment? I asked

Three hours maximum! He said

Hmm, so you mean you can endure this treatment for three hours? I asked

I was able to do eighteen hours in the depot! He said. It was competition for us. He said; the person that won the competition endured it for 48 hours without sleep, but that record has been broken by another set where some one did it for seventy two hours! Three days!

But you said it was three hours maximum for normal human being? I asked.

Yes! Three hours max! He said puffing out smoke into the air above his head. He tossed the butt away and lit another stick.

 

Oga Dan, Chioma and the dogs were all shouting.

 

It was over one hour that we had sat under the tree that Oga Dan suddenly changed the tune of the music.

I want to shit o! I want to shit! A choro m iyu nshi biko nu o! He held onto his buttocks as he jumped about in the circle.

 

How will he shit now? I asked.

Shit for there! Dan bura uba nka! Adamu shouted back at him laughing hysterically; it took me fifteen hours before I shit on myself that day! Adamu said. Everyone must shit under the VIP treatment! He said as he enjoyed his kunu and cigarette.

Walahi this your Oga Dan na lazy man fa! Even the girl strong pass am I swear!

We did not know that Chioma had already excreated in her pants without making any noise about it. She was just crying and stamping her feet on the ground. She was holding her waist and writhing in agony of pain and discomfort.

My waist o! My shoulder! My waist o! Can I sit down please? She was begging and crying.

Oga Dan too started begging to sit down after he had emptied his bowels on his body. The pebbles fell off his boxers while his urine combined with his sweat soaked his boxers. He was shaking all over like some one with cold.

 

Biko o! ukwu m o! My waist o! My shoulder o! My belle o! Biko gbahara m o! ndi navy gbahara o! It is the devil o! Oga Dan lamented.

 

The Korofo marshal came around for inspection after two hours.

Listen! He said as the duo and the dog continued to shout; I am going to untie the dogs now! If you leave your circle, you will be eaten alive!

Why? Why? Oga dan shouted; biko don’t lose these lions o! They will chop us o! we have not broken the rules nah!

The marshal loosened the dogs.

 

Chai! O kam si na? O otua kam si na? Oga Dan kept shouting. O bu Nkita g’ata gbu om? Is this how I will go? To be eaten alive by dogs?

But the dogs did not bite; rather they put more fear into them by sniffing them up.

Chioma closed her eyes and was screaming for her mothers help. Oga Dan made the sign of the cross and started singing a gospel song in tears.

 

Adamu was just laughing uncontrollably, clutching at his stomach. I was scared of what the dogs could do to them. The Marshal marched away.

 

At two hours thirty minutes Oga Dan fell down flat with a loud noise and he lay still. One of the dogs sniffed his face and walked briskly to meet the Marshal who was already on his way with a bucket of water to pour on Oga Dan.

 

That one has broken down! Adamu said; if the marshal had not shown up, the dog would have gone to call him, he said.

Wow! I exclaimed.

At two hours fifty minutes, Chioma collapsed; the dog sniffed her face and barked at the marshal who was on standby with a bucket of water after carrying Oga Dan indoors.

 

Now they are ready for their statements! Adamu told me as he stood up and slapped his back side clean. I stood up too as Adamu paid the kunu seller and we went home.

 

The reason for my death was the most stupid one! Out of her quest to get even with me and her friends when the news of our relationship got to her, she had gone to join the “Black Brazier” the most dreaded female confraternity on Campus. Her plan was to deal with me, katty and messy, but DJ Slam was the obstacle as he would definitely know where the attack is from. The former boy friend of Chioma, Major was given the job to eliminate DJ Slam but DJ Slam has friends every where so the plan licked to him and he quickly organized his men and they took out Major and his number two man “Lusaka”.

With Major and Lusaka out of the way, the Black braziers knew they were in trouble so they used their police connection to kill DJ Slam at an illegal Police checking point, he was slaughtered and his body dumped at the gate of the hotel in the dead of the night while his head was thrown into the bush, the idea was to make it look like a rival cult murder, after all two known cultists were just murdered. Chioma sent emissaries from the Federal polytechnic at Nekede to round up Tessy and Katty, they were beating and bathed with acid. They have left school for good.

The hotel was shut down for some days after the body of Slam was discovered so as to allow the Police to investigate into the matter but Chioma went to the hotel and black mailed me. She told Oga Dan that whenever I am seen he should call her first and try to hold me down until the Police arrived.

 

The corrupt police men at Owerri were arrested and charged to court with Chioma and Oga Dan including some members of the Black brazier confraternity.