₦airaland Forum

Barbienice:
Wow!!Oga inside get good heart o! how do I vote for u ?@ DOMAWOLEYE

Hi Barbie u can vote for me as best newcomer in March @ https://www.nairaland.com/1804027/free-n5000-writer-here-every.
Thank you.

peeled

Guys! I wish to thank every one that has read my story and deemed it necessary to encourage me by penning down a comment or two. I really appreciate. Thanks to Princesa for the nomination. and I really do thank the following persons in no particular order for voting for me as best newcomer: FAM23,DROLLSTAR,RONDO235,CHARIJEE,PEACEFULNESS and STONECOLD. I have six votes so far. jesuzboi, abamizy, costlybabe,Anas09,wasak and others how far nah? make una vote for me nah! I beg! I thank you all once again. God bless us all and may Prison not be our Portion IJN.

CHAPTER 11

The Garri and Groundnut that I bought did not last for three days! I sold it all off. The Warder Oga Inside was my middle man; he ran errands for the inmates as long as he gets paid his stipend. The news that a certain Ojo in ATL has Garri and Groundnut went viral and I ran out of stock by the third day and I realized three hundred percent profit after settling my agent, Oga inside! Inside! He asked if I wanted to replenish my stock and I said yes so we negotiated and I paid him his commission and by mid night on the third day, he smuggled in a fifty kilogram of Garri and five bottles of ground nut into our cell for me and this time he included four packs of Santana water proof nylon bags into which I measured a cup of Garri and tied it for easy and handy sale, I also tore the nylon bags and tied up the groundnuts for sale. The demand grew and wallet grew too that by April I could afford a Lawyer.

A young female Lawyer had come to visit her client and on her way back, Oga Inside told her about my need for a legal representative, she agreed to see me instantly and Oga Inside arranged our meeting. I told her my story but she said she would make up her mind only after hearing my case and to know the quality of evidence against me. She said she would represent me free of charge on April twentieth as scheduled and only after then can we discuss business.

On April twentieth we were in court and I was represented by Barrister Amaka Dike, the daughter of a senior advocate of Nigeria and a Magistrate Court Judge in Abuja. During the hearing of my case which lacked substantial evidence, she requested for more time to fully investigate the case and she requested for the presence of the prosecutor and the O.C of the case by our next hearing which was later adjourned till September sixth.

Barrister Amaka then bombarded me with barrage of questions, both relevant and irrelevant questions, she wrote exhaustively as I answered her questions. She then agreed to take up my case and we agreed on her professional consulting fees which I paid up instantly. I then gave her the story of my life and told her of my concern for my mother in the Village, I told her of the money I have in the Bank and my property in my house which I believed the Army would have moved to the Store and reallocate my house. I told her the key to my house is my travelling bag that was in the Custody of the Abakaliki Prisons authority. All said and done, she drove in her Car to the Prison later in the day and requested for my keys from the Warders which they gave it to her with my authorization.

On her way out she came to bide me fair well, I knelt down and begged her, I told her again of how I was born and the travails that had being lot from birth, I told her every detail about how my mother survives and my fear for her health now that she has not heard from me in almost two years. Barrister Amaka could not but cry with me when I became emotional while telling her my story and my plea for assistance. She left that day April twentieth and promised to be at Court on the sixth of September

My confidence level rose in the prison as I could pull some strings now and I joined the group of Prisoners that were released from their Cells at night stretch their legs by walking about the Prison premises or converging under shadows to smoke Indian hemp and drink beer purchased for us by our errand Boys, the Warders.

Sometimes Girls, especially prostitutes are sneaked into the Prison Yard on our request for a quickie or two. I have witnessed a scenario where nine of us had quickies with a single Girl in turns. We all paid her as agreed and at the end of the orgy she walked out normally chewing gum as if nothing had happened, but her purse was fatter than when she came. Of course she will settle her love-vendor, the Warder that brought her in and those at the gate too.

Indian hemp was smuggled in and sold to us by the Warders at twice the price , a couple of times Oga Inside had helped me to buy Parcels of Indian hemp which I re wrapped and sold at fantastic profit, but it was too risky so I simply focused on my Garri and Groundnut business. I became a creditor to many inmates as I lent many of them money when they are desperately in need. Would you believe if I tell you that some prisoners are actually escorted to their homes at night and returned to Prison before dawn? It happens so long as cash is concerned, there was a man that had been in prison for twelve years and during this period, his wife had three children for him, his biological Children I mean!
The Prison medical Doctor visits on Mondays and Fridays only, the nurses are the ones readily available to attend to emergencies and there were always emergencies especially from the C.C Cell.

The condemned criminal Cell was like a den of Lions, even the Warders were scared of the inmates and seldom interfere when they fight, severally dead bodies had been carried out of the CC Cell due to strangulation or bursting someone’s head on the Brick wall. Many times they rushed a new inmate to the clinic as a result of tears and bruises to the anus due to forceful penetration by Rapists in the C.C cell. The irony of it all is that the Patients are returned to the same Cell after treatment only to meet the same treatment that led them to the Hospital. It was common to hear screams and cries from the C.C cell especially in the dead of the night. For those of on ATL, the fear of the condemned Criminals Cell was the beginning of wisdom.

I was somehow comfortable now in Prison because I was making enough money to see me through, it was just by a stroke of luck that I decided to buy Garri and groundnut with the money I realized when we went to court in February, if I had not bought the Garri, I would have spent the money somehow.

I kept the profits realized from my sales with Oga Inside, though I knew it was risky but at least it can be traced to him rather than keeping money in the Cell where not less than fifty persons inhabit at every point in time. Whenever I lay hands on my Cheque book, I would retrieve my account number from where I wrote it and then transfer my money from Oga Inside to the bank and subsequent profits will be sent straight to the bank through any warder. I wished I had opened an account for my Mother when I went to the Village, at least I could transfer some money into her account from Prison here, but how was I to know that I would be here now?

September sixth came very quickly and we went to Court for my case hearing. My file was the first to be presented for hearing because my Lawyer, Barrister Amaka Dike, the daughter of a SAN was in Court.

The state prosecuting Lawyer was present, Sergeant Godwin was present but the Konwea family was not represented; I was later to know that they refused to honour the Court summons because they suspected a foul play and they had vowed to institute a legal action against the Nigeria Police. They said the Police had informed the Family that I had been sentenced to jail for life so how come they were being invited to Court for the hearing of a case that was presumed closed? Even Sergeant Godwin had decline coming to Abakaliki but for the insistence of barrister Amaka. The case was further adjourned to February 1994 to allow for further investigation. The Judge accused the Police of gross incompetence and lackluster attitude in carrying out their duties; the Judge was impressed with the submissions of my Lawyer which were
-Mr. Chike is from Ibagwa Nike in Enugu state and his family house is known

-Mr. Chike’s Wife and three Kids live in his Village house in Ibagwa
-Mr. Chike has relocated to Yaoundé in Cameroon and is trading on Motor Spare parts and accessories
-Mr. Chike still sneaks into Nigeria to do business and to see his Family
-Mr. Chike is being monitored by the Interpol of both countries
-the Nigerian Police will make arrest once Chike steps into the Country.

After the Court session, I was so elated that I hugged my Lawyer passionately and thanked her immensely; at last there was a sign of hope in my seemingly hopeless situation.
That was not all, she sat me down and gave me more details of her activities since we parted ways in April.

She went to the Barracks to meet Colonel Asemota my Commanding Officer but was told that he had been transferred to Lagos and replace by another Colonel Garba. She had introduced herself and explained her mission. The quarter master was instructed to take her to the Store where my properties were kept as my house had been reallocated to another Soldier. She searched and found my Cheque book. I jumped and hugged her again. She just laughed but her eyes did not spark as she laughed which means either she does not me hugging her or she wasn’t just in the right mood to share my joy so I cautioned myself to restrain from hugging her.

How can I pay you for all your efforts? I asked her you have single handedly done what the Nigeria Police could not do! How did you dig up all these facts about Mr. Chike? How? I demanded.

It’s my job Ojo! It’s my job! She said as she tried to force a smile, but her eyes betrayed her. No spark.

Ha! May God almighty bless you my Sister! I said as she removed my Cheque book from her Purse and handed to me. My Mother! I need to send money to her! I said.

Then she quietly said something that sounded like “I went to Esa-odo”

You say what? I asked aloud

I saw your Mother! She said

Mama! You saw my mother? I asked nervously searching her face as she tried to hide her emotions.

Yes! I went to Esa-Odo, I saw your uncle Baba Miko and I saw your mother. Your mother is sick, she is very very sick; I interrupted her.

How do you mean? What do you mean very very sick? Please talk to me! I begged on my knees, I was scared.

When your mother waited for one year and she did not see you or hear from you, she came to Enugu to look for you in company of Baba Miko. They went to the Army barracks and were eventually directed to your Unit. On getting to your unit, they met a group of Soldiers discussing under a Mango tree and they asked about you. The Soldiers told them different versions of how you were involved in armed robbery and your eventual execution by the Police. Your mother lost her mind instantly! Baba Miko took her back to the Village and since then she has not come to her senses. She carries a Picture of you in Army uniform with her every where she goes now, she would sit and stare at the Picture for over one hour then she would stand up and stare at a distance smiling and whispering your name as if she is seeing you. I tried to talk to her, I told her you were alive and okay, I told her you sent me to her but she just gaze at me as I spoke, it was as if I was not there talking to her. I spent two days in your Village, I lodged at a Hotel in Ijebu Jesha, a town close to your Village and the next day Baba Miko and I took her to Ilesha Psychiatric hospital.

That was the much I could remember as I lay on the bed at the teaching Hospital recuperating, I was on drip. I was told by the nurses that I was rushed in from the Court the day before. My Mother had gone mad.
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CHAPTER 10

They called it “Correction Centre” but it is actually a “Corruption centre”. I can authoritatively say that Prison administration in Nigeria is far from being a corrective institution. It is a den where greedy, demented and desperate men in uniform take advantage of helpless men that are under lock and key. I pray for you today as you read my story that you and your loved ones shall never be inmate to any prison anywhere. In prison, you are reduced to less than a human being! You have no rights, no privileges! You are at the mercy of the Warders. To survive in Prison, you have got to have strong outside connections. People die daily that we got tired of crying when anyone died.

Corruption starts from the entrance gate! It is all about money. Sometimes I wonder if these Warders do not receive salaries, or maybe all our Para-military services in Nigeria are just there to extort and exploit the helpless Civilians. The Warders will do anything for money! I cannot list all of the atrocities that go on in the Prison because it comes in varied forms; all you need to keep a Warder under your control is to buy him or her.

After spending six months at the Abakaliki Prison without a single Court appearance, I then understood why some of us had been there for years praying and waiting for Gods intervention. There were professionals of various fields convicted for varying offences in Prison. Fraudulent Bankers, negligent and fake Doctors, indicted Police and Military Officers, Advance fee fraudsters, Armed Robbers, Rapist, prostitutes that murdered, drug traffickers and politicians.

The list is endless. But in prison, we are all reduced to the same. We are all criminals according to the warders, either convicted or awaiting trial. Sometimes a convicted fellow brought to prison would serve his term and gain freedom while you are still on trial for an offence committed before the convicted fellow went to jail. Justice is severally delayed in Nigeria which always leads to justice denial.

I once called one of the Warders called “inside inside” he was called “inside” because he usually commands that an stubborn inmate or a new inmate be sent into the innermost cell, put am inside! Inside! He would command and that earned him the nick name “inside”.

Oga inside I beg I want to talk to you: I had requested one night when he was inspecting the sleeping inmates in their Cells.


Na wetin? He retorted

Oga! I beg na wetin be my fate now? I don dey here for six months now and nothing don happen! Not even a Court appearance! Abi una want make I die here? How someone go dey for ATL for six months without trial? I enquired.

Listen Yoruba man! He said: na only six months you don spend here and you dey hala! You no dey ask your fellow criminals how long them don stay here? Or you no meet many of them for here? Ehn? Answer me!

But Oga Inside! Is it fair? I asked; how una go just abandon us here like that without any hearing for Court?

Na me bring you here? He challenged; you dey craze? See as you dey talk to me sef! See me see trouble with this stupid and criminal Yoruba Soldier o! Na me send you to go commit? In short why I dey waste my time dey talk to you sef? Ngwa! Go back to sleep, go inside! Inside! He began to hit the metal gates with his Baton furiously that other Prisoners woke up and started shouting at him to stop disturbing their sleep, I hurriedly laid down and pretended to be asleep while Oga Inside was still exchanging words with inmates hurling insults at him.
An inmate of mine, a former Banker told me that one really needs money to get anything he wants from inside the prison. I did not believe him at first until after I had spent one year.

February 1993, I was told by Oga Inside that my case will be heard in Court in two days. He told me to better be ready and I said I would. I did not understand.

I told my fellow inmates the good news and they were happy for me, our mindset in ATL was that it is better to die than anticipating death. So going to Court was a step in the right direction, at least I have been made to know that I cannot get a death sentence as the evidences against me were not substantive to nail my coffin. I would get a sentence for purchase of stolen property and the term would run concurrently.

Oga Inside and another Warder came to pick me up on the D day, along the Corridor of the Prison, Oga Inside asked me to settle him before we get to the waiting black Maria that would take us to Court. I told him I did not have money.

But you tell me say you go dey ready nah! He said

I no sabi say na money you day talk about nah! I think say you dey advise me to get ready for the Court appearance; I replied.

Advise you? I be your lawyer? Okay o! no wahala! You think say you get sense no be so? He asked

Oga Inside! I no understand you o! I don dey here for one year now, you don see me with money before? Even if I borrow, how I go take pay back? I asked him.

No worry nah! Yoruba People too dey claim like say na them sabi book pass everybody! Go come! I dey wait for you here! Agaracha must come back! He walked out on me and the other Warder.

On our way to the Court, the Warders collected money from every inmate in the Van; I did not have a dime so I was instantly blacklisted but I begged them and promised to make it up to them, how? I did not know.

You think the Government care about the Prison service? How do you think we fuel this Motor carrying you to the Court? Look let me tell you, you better change o, else you will rot here, one of the Armed Warder told me; let me tell you, he continued; call on anyone you know, any relative at all to help you get money! Without money, you will die in here! Money makes things happen here!

When we encountered traffic hold up along the way, we looked through the window of the Van and called out to Passersby for alms which many gave to us by sliding naira notes through the window, a certain woman ran after the van banging at the door, one of the Armed Guards opened the door to ask her what her problem was, having surveyed to see that she was alone, she threw in a wad of naira notes on the floor of the Van and stopped running after us. The monies collected were countered and shared amongst everybody including me even though I got the least amount. I tucked the money in my anus. Yes that was the only purse we kept our money.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....................................................................

Our files were brought up before the presiding Judge and one after the other we were called up for hearing except for me. I was the last person on the pew when the Judge looked up and asked for any pending file when she realized that no other file was presented to her and I was yet to be attended to.

Where is the case file of that young Man? She had asked the Court Clerk

The Clerk hurriedly left the Court and reappeared after ten minutes with my file.

My case was read but there was no defense Lawyer representing me, no witnesses were present, Sergeant Godwin was not present. Only the state prosecuting Lawyer was present so my case was postponed to April 8th 1993 while two of us were discharged and acquitted.
As we were being driven back to the Prison, I was told by fellow inmates that I should have been prepared, I should have discussed with my Lawyer before the day of the hearing, my lawyer would have being in Court to ensure my case file was brought up for hearing; all in all, it boils down to the importance of one major factor, money!

The Driver veered off the road to the back of a petrol Station along Ogoja road and parked, I knew they were up to something and I was curious. Five minutes later there was a whistle signal and two of the inmates removed their Prison Uniforms and gave them to the Warder, the back door of the Van opened and two young Lads entered, they pulled off their Clothes and gave to the two inmates who wore the clothes hurriedly and went out of the van while the new strangers were given the Prisoners Uniforms to wear, the Warder told them their names and was giving them a brief induction when the signal whistle went off again.

I peeked through the Window to see a sleek black car parking by our Van, the back door opened again and a Politician inmate went out and entered the Car, we waited for Fifteen minutes before he entered with a travelling bag, he thanked the Warders and gave each a fat envelope and he shared money to all the inmates in the Van. I was wowed but I was happy.

We stopped at a Market along Afikpo road and the Van parked again and one of the Warders asked if we want to buy anything, we all gave him money and he listed our demands on a piece of Paper, I requested for Garri and Groundnut. He was gone for an hour only to return with a “Ghana must Go” bag full of our supplies. When we got to the Prison, we had to settle all the Warders from the entrance gate to our Cell gate; they already knew we would return with goodies especially as the Politician had gone with us.

Having settled all parties, my bag of Garri of about fifty kilogram was brought into my Cell by Oga Inside at night, he told me to keep it covered with my Blanket. That was the first ray of light in my darkness.

CHAPTER 9

It is over two months and not a single person had come to visit me at the police station in Agbor. My mother must be worried sick. I had informed her that I would be back in July but this is October.

The first Visitor I had was a Lawyer that came to me a day before I was taken to court for the first trial, after hearing my story he began to discuss his fees, he further said he hired the commercial motor cyclist that brought him to the station, the Rider is on standby and he will need me to settle the bills, he further said I would pay three thousand naira for every court appearance excluding sundries fees. He was furious when I told him I had no kobo on me, he left cursing me. No Lawyer came to represent me the next day at court and the case was postponed to January 15th 1992. I spent Christmas and New Year festivals inside the Police cell. Some church people visited the detention centre on Christmas day and gave us good food and drinks, I was getting used to my new way of life, so I ate and drank to my fill, who knows when I would eat something good again.

Sergeant Godwin was keen on closing my case speedily so that he could move on to other issues in his life. He invited several lawyers to take up my case but they were all hungry “charge and bail” lawyers that hang around court premises looking for documents to endorse for stipends, these Lawyers made me to wonder if they really went to school and graduated as Lawyers! I used to revere Lawyers until I came across these bunch. One of the Lawyers told me that his monthly salary was less than one thousand five hundred naira in 1991, he regularly needs extra income to augment the numerous expenses he incurs as a result of trying to meet up with his social status, “a Barrister at Law”.

I remember a certain lawyer that came to discuss with me and I saw two bed bugs crawling up the collar of his Coat, whenever I remember that scene I laugh because the Coat was not on the man, rather the man was inside the Coat, I guessed he borrowed it from someone twice his size, the man was scraggy, he was begging me for money for pure water when he realized that what I needed was a philanthropic lawyer.

The truth is that I had some money in my account but I was far away from home, my cheque book was in Enugu and I did not even know if my house had been re allocated, I had no idea of anything happening in the outside world, whenever I tell all the lawyers about my money in the bank, their eyes become green, but when I tell them about the inaccessibility of the money, their eyes turn red and they leave me in anger.
Sergeant Godwin had to close my case either by ensuring I go to Prison or I am released; the later seemed impossible though and I was not surprised when he came around after our court session on the 15th January dancing and humming to himself along the corridor of our Cells. Because of insufficient evidence on my side to vindicate me, and because of insufficient evidence on the side of the police to convict me for armed robbery, I was put on awaiting trial list and transferred to Abakaliki Prisons while the Police continued with investigation.

My O.C told me it was better for me to be on A.T.L Awaiting trial list than to be sentenced to death for armed robbery, one thing he did not tell me was that many people are on awaiting trial and have been there for ages while many had died while waiting for their freedom.

I was not able to send message home to my Mother or Baba Miko, my only friend Saka did not show up at all, I did not blame him though after all I almost implicated him. No further information about Mr. Chike so everything about the case revolved around me alone. The Konwea family were happy when they were told by Sergeant Godwin that I had been sentenced to life jail at Abakaliki Prison. The madam came to my cell that evening and rained curses on me and my generations. I was just laughing because ‘he that is down fears no fall’, my family had been cursed right from the origin of my being so she did not need to waste her energy on cursing me, so she kept cursing as I kept laughing; she said it would have been better for me to be shot or sent to the hangman than the life sentence I got. The Police did not tell her that I was on A.T.L, they too wanted to be free from the Konwea family pressure to get justice for their dead father. When the Madam left my Cell that night, it then dawned on me that I was in trouble.

I recounted the pain I suffered at the depot, I recounted the honour I got from the Village when I returned from depot, and I recalled the honour I got from Soldiers and Officers during the G.O.C Cup competition, then I realized that the world had not been fair to me and my Mother, whatever Curse my grandfather had placed on my Parents should not be upon me because I did not choose to be the offspring of their union. If I had remained in the Village as a Brick layer I would not be here today, if I had not planned to help remove my mother from suffering perhaps I would not be here today. The bitter truth is that if my mother had not fallen foolishly in love with a drunkard to incur her Fathers wrath I would not be here today! I hated every being that was part of my existence that night. I cried, I screamed, I fought with everyone in the cell that night and consequently I got the beating of my life which left me bruised and fagged out and I fell asleep.

CHAPTER 8

I was summoned by the D.P.O after three days on return from the Military Barracks in Enugu, I was wearing only Boxers. I stood before him trembling out of cold and fear of the unknown; I had slept on bare floor without any covering all night.
Soldier man! Are you ready to confess now? He bellowed

Sir! I have told you the whole truth! God is my witness; I said

Hmm, my friend, if you know the gravity of your offence, you would say the truth! Say the truth now so that I can help you now that you are still here, the earlier you did that, the better for all of us! He said.

Oga! Do you want me to implicate myself? I asked

Are you not implicated already! He shouted; look at this mumu o! You claimed you bought a stolen car! Is that not implicating already.

Okay sir! But what about the Man that sold the Car to me? Have you gotten him? He is the best place to help with your investigation! I am just a victim of circumstance! Oga please help me I beg you! I pleaded.

Look! Soldier boy; heaven help those who help themselves, he said; the so called Mr. Chike has run away! His Shop is closed down and empty and none of the traders are willing to disclose his where- about to the Police. We went to his house and the Land lord said he had relocated to an unknown destination! So do you want us to do? To perform magic?

Jesu Christi o! I shouted; I am done for! Oga I am dead! The only link to my freedom has run away and the Police cannot do anything about it! Ha! Oga what becomes of me sir?

You are the only Suspect available, and most likely you will bear the consequence of your crime! He said firmly.

My crime? What crime did I commit? I did not steal the Car; I did not rob or kill anybody! Oga I am not a criminal o! Please save me; I pleaded.

Buying a stolen Car is a crime in Nigeria, you are as guilty as the thief himself, even if we apprehend Chike now, you still have a case to answer because you should have investigated the source of the car you were buying, if it was a Tokunbo car you would see the Papers, if it was second hand, then you would request to see the real owner and get a transfer of ownership letter from him! You did not do either of these, because you wear Army uniform you think you are above the law! He explained.

But Oga I never knew it was a stolen Car! I never knew! I pleaded.

Ignorance of the law is not an excuse Soldier Boy! You should have investigated the source of the Car! Perhaps if you had tried registering the Car, you would have been told of the necessary documents to get especially the transfer of ownership letter, but you never did! You think you are above the law! He repeated.

A green fly buzzed in and perched on rim of the glass of water on his table, this irritated him and he stared at the fly with obvious anger, then he looked at me; did you shit on your body again? He asked.

No sir! I replied.

Did you mess? He asked.

No sir! I did not fart sir!

He slapped the fly but it flew away, monster had put his weight in the slap and the table was pushed backwards spilling the contents on it to the floor.

I hate flies! I hate flies! Especially these green ones! Or has a Rat died here again? Constable! He shouted.

A young Police Boy ran into the Office.

Get a long broom quickly! Monster commanded.

The Boy dashed out of the Office.

Monster took a newspaper from the documents that fell on the floor, he folded it into half and he began to chase the green fly about the Office.
I will kill you today! He swore under his breath as he bounced after the terrified fly, his belly drooping over his trouser as he moved, he smashed at the fly but missed again and again. The fly always moved before his thrusts get to if, he was sloppy and sluggish and this infuriated him the more.

The young Police lad came with a broom.

Kill it! Monster commanded; it must not escape o! This is not an ordinary fly o! This fly was sent from my Village! They sent it to come and poison me! It was trying to poison my drink again! Soldier boy! Did you not see that fly trying to shit something inside my cup of water? He asked.

I saw it sir! I saw it! I said.

The young Police killed the fly with one swift swoop.

Pick it up! Go and burn it! Burn it o! He warned. Enemies! They cannot get me! I will kill them all one by one! If they like let them come at me in the form of Tortoise! Or Cockroach! Old boy! Come and clean up this Office he said to the Police Lad as he went to cremate the fly. Also call me the O.C of this Soldiers case!

Yes sir! The Police lad replied as he closed the door.

Soldier Boy! He continued with me, as he dabbed his face with a dirty hand towel, he was sweating from the activity he just indulged in; he was panting and trying to catch his breath.

The family you robbed has taken the case to the Court already so you should be ready for a long legal battle. The Konwea family is a very powerful one in Asaba so you will need a very good lawyer! He said.

Oga! Where do I get a lawyer from? Where is the money? I asked

You no get family? He asked

I only have a Mother that is as poor as a Church rat! Sir, I was on my way to the Village to rescue my mother from the clutches of servitude that has held her since I was born by bringing her to stay with me in Enugu! I have even rented a Shop for her. Oga I did not know my Father! In fact my story is not a good one, all I have in this world is my mother!

What of extended family members? He asked

I simply shook my head and heaved a sad sigh. How do I explain to him that my extended family is as good as not existing, do I call on my Mother’s family? They had cut us off as lepers. My Father’s family is more wretched than me and my Mum, a family of drunks and loafers! Indeed I am an unfortunate Child in an unfortunate situation.

On the other hand, he said; the state can provide you with a lawyer, but they will need money from you so try to contact your people.

Another green fly flew into the Office and perched at the same spot the first fly perched.

Another one! Monster shouted; his eyes shot out as if to leave their sockets, he stepped backwards from the table. Soldier boy! Can you see it? That fly did not die o! It has come back!

Just then, the Constable entered the office with a dirt packer, a mop stick and a broom.

Constable! Did you burn that fly you killed here just now? Monster asked

No sir! I could not get matches so I simply threw it away

You threw what away? Did I tell you to throw it away? Did you think that was a common fly? Simple instruction you cannot follow. Look! Look! The fly is back to the same spot it came before! Monster was visibly agitated and scared.

The Constable once again killed the fly with a single swoop of the broom , as the dead fly fell to the ground, monster stepped on it and crushed it into shreds while swearing and cursing.

Oga I think a rat might have died in this office, the young constable said; I can perceive the smell of something decaying. He went to the edge of the Office and shifted a Cabinet from the wall, there; he saw a decaying rat filled with maggots.

Here it is sir! Constable said: it is a dead rat!

Oh! So na common rat? Monster asked laughing out loud.

The O.C of the case came in.

Sergeant Godwin, take your man back to his cell and prepare him for Court next tomorrow, he would need a state lawyer and he would need new clothes, he cannot go to a civil court in his Army uniform, get any of the condemned criminals clothes for him to wear.
Sergeant Godwin ushered back to my cell. That was the beginning of my long journey in incarceration.

So where is the Chike now? C.O asked no one in particular

The Police replied: the so called Chike is a Criminal! He gave him a fake receipt of purchase bearing a non existing Lagos address and now he is nowhere to be found, when we went searching for him last week he was nowhere to be found and there are several People bearing the name Chike in the Spare parts market and this your Soldier does not even know the Shop of the so called Chike as he claimed not to have been there before.

Oh gosh! Oh gosh! Nigeria Police! C.O exclaimed. This Chike you are talking about may be in this barrack as I speak with you! He is well known here! And for the fact that you have brought this Man here in chains, and it is known that he bought a stolen Car, then believe you me, Chike has heard of it! And of course he would escape. You People should have come here secretly and together we could have laid ambush and caught this Guy unaware, we could have told him to supply us anything and we catch him upon delivery. Well this is not the first time we are experiencing such situation in the Barracks: I will send your letter to the G.O.C, where is the acknowledgement copy let me sign for you?
The Police man handed over the sealed letter and the acknowledgement copy to the C.O who endorsed his signature and returned the signed copy to the Police man.
I hope you guys get to the root of this matter quickly so that this young Man can return to duty, he is a young Man just starting life in the Army: have you contacted his Bankers to check the last transactions he made? The C.O asked.

No sir! I don’t think so sir! The Police replied.

Then do so! That will help in your investigation: are you the O.I.C of the case?

Yes sir! I am the Officer in charge sir! The Police replied.

Please do your best and don’t let my Boy suffer in vain or unjustly.

Okay sir! I will do my best sir! The Police said.

So you can take him away! Ojo! I wish you the best! My C.O said with finality.

I sat on the floor of the C.O’s Office and wept bitterly, I pleaded with him not to allow the Police take me away, but he ignored me as the Police and M.P dragged me out of the C.O’s Office.

A crowd had gathered in front of the C.O’s Office, I was pushed into the trunk of the Wagon and the door booth slammed shut, I poked my head out from the window and called out to the Soldiers watching us not to allow Mr. Chike to escape and allow me to suffer unjustly, I reminded them that it was the lump sum paid to me that I used to buy the Car, I reminded all that cared to listen that private Samuel Yoguda and Private Onoja Samuel are my Colleagues and these two bought Cars too. Make una no allow me to suffer for nothing I yelled in tears as the car screeched and zoomed away

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51H6Yuf3U%2BL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX324_SY324_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA346_SH20_OU31_.jpg

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Things happened so fast at the Station; immediately we stepped to the front of the Counter inside the Police Station, I received a blinding slap from behind; I screamed and held my ears as I heard Saka screamed too. I received blows and kicks from at every part of my body, I fell down and struggled to run out of the station but I was blocked somehow, the more I tried to get up and run, the more the barrage of beatings I received so I laid down and stopped resisting, I simply blocked my face with my hands.

After about thirty minutes of torturing us, we were stripped of our Clothes and dumped into a Cubicle, a four by four feet squared room with no ventilation, no lamination. I swore under my breath to kill these men if when I get out of this mess, for I was convinced there were not kidnappers, they are legal Police men carrying out an illegal duty, I was also sure they had picked us by mistake, they must think we are some persons on their wanted list. I was wrong.

We were locked up for two days without food or water, no one opened the door to the Cubicle we were locked in, I was beginning to get real scared on the third day before we were brought out of the Cell , our hands cuffed and led to an Office with the inscription “D.P.O” on the door.

They pushed us to the front of a huge well polished sparkling Mahogany Desk and behind the Desk sat a Monstrous looking Man with Nose like that of a Hippopotamus, his nose is so wide that you could see the redness of the Cartilage inside the nose, his Lips were large and dropping exposing teeth tanned with Kola nut, his eyes were bulging and glossy, he was sweating even though the noisy air condition in the Office was on. I instinctively knew we were before the Devil! His stomach had stretched his uniform to the maximum elasticity limit that two buttons had cut off exposing his black Singlet, as he opened his mouth to speak I noticed he had blackish tongue instead of red, where in hell did this creature come from? I pondered even in my pain.

Look at them! Are they the ones? He asked, directing his question to an elderly Woman and a young Lady sitting opposite him and directly in front of us.
The Ladies turned back and stared in front of us, we were wearing only Boxers with bruises all over. Even my Mother could not have recognized me because Saka’s face was like Amoeba that I almost laugh when I looked at his face in the D.P.O’s office but I restrained myself so the Monster does not think I was laughing at him.

I looked at the Ladies as they looked us over, I had not seen their faces before and I was sure they j have not seen me before too, I was almost sure the Police had picked us by mistake.

Na them? theD.P.O barked again

No be them! The young Lady replied.

Are you sure? Monster barked again

No be them rape me sir! She relied, the men wey rape me big well well, them huge pass these ones.

The older woman interjected and said; D.P.O, I want justice in this case o! Please don’t allow my husband to die in vain o! These men are part of the gang! How else could you explain the fact that the car was found with them? They may not be the ones that raped her but they are involved somehow! They robbed me of all my money and jewelries! They collected two million naira cash from my husband! They gang rapped my daughter, and then they shot my husband in the head and went away with my Car! Ha! D.P.O! This wickedness must not go unpunished o! The woman started to cry and the D.P.O was consoling her.

My whole system failed me, my stomach rumbled violently as my bowels gave way immediately, my large intestine gave out its contents as I defecated and urinated on the spot, I heard Saka mumbling some words in Arabic of some sort. The reality of our situation just dawned on me.

Na wetin dey smell here? Monster shouted; na who mess? He queried.

One of the armed Robbers don shit for body! See as shit they drop from him pant! The older Woman offered.

Constable! Constable! Monster shouted, banging his fist on the desk.
Sir! I heard someone shouted from outside. My head became giddy, I felt a sudden lightness and my limbs gave way, I slumped and passed out.

CHAPTER 7

We were told to write our statements after spending eight days at the Police station, it was an unlawful detention, nobody knew we were there and we could have died of starvation or brutality, the Police men were very mean and we had learnt not to provoke them, we never mentioned the fact that we were Soldiers any more as that normally enraged them.

We were eventually allowed to wash our bodies on the eight day and our dirty uniforms were given to us to wear, then we were driven in a 504 station Wagon to Enugu, 82 division military Police in hand and leg Cuffs.

After one hour interrogation by the military Police, Saka was released. He kept shouting Allah Akbar! As he left the Station for his house without even talking to me. A Military Police Sergeant entered the Station Wagon and we drove to my unit to meet my Commander; I wished for the earth to open its mouth and swallow me as I was pulled out of the Police Van when it parked outside my Commander’s Office. My Colleagues immediately surrounded us and every one was asking questions, wetin happen? Ojo wetin you do? I was just crying as I was pulled along by the Military Police. This small Boys of nowadays! Them no dey hear word, this boy na bad boy and I don dey suspect an since wey he buy that Car! I heard our sergeant Korofo said as we entered the C.O’s secretary’s Office.

The Secretary was shocked to see me in such a state; Ojo! He called; na wetin be this? Na wetin you do? He asked.

Oga na long story o! I said; I don buy Motor buy trouble o! them say na stolen car buy!

Ha! He shouted and immediately closed his mouth with his hands .

The C.O is expecting us! The M.P said.

Yes I know, you can go inside! The secretary said.

The M.P and the Police came to attention in front of the C.O. I was at ease because I was in Cuffs, I bent my head in shame, I could not meet the curious gaze from my Boss.

Sir! This Soldier is needed by the Police in furtherance of an investigation of Armed robbery, rape and homicide committed at Asaba two months ago sir! The M.P said.

How is he connected? C.O asked.

The Car of the Victim was found with him and another of your Soldier Saka saliu but after interrogation we found out that the Saka was innocent and he has been released some moments ago.

Which Saka? My Saka? C.O asked.

Yes Sir! He is a Signal Man! But he is clean, he was just driving in the same Car with the Culprit when they were apprehended, the M.P said.

Where did the Robbery take place? C.O asked; did you not say Asaba?

Yes sir! The Police man answered.

So if I steal a Car in Asaba, I will be so daft as to drive the same car through Asaba to Agbor? Ehn Police man! The C.O asked

Well sir, it is very possible Sir! Considering the facts that they were wearing Army Uniforms! No one would stop them naturally; the Police man said.

Okay, I see your point! So what is the next step now? C.O asked

I have a letter from the A.I.G to the G.O.C for his temporary release to us as the case is already charged to Court. The Man they killed and robbed his Family was a senior Citizen in Asaba! Your Soldier is the first and only link we have on the case; he will lead us into catching up with other members of his gang. The Police said.

It is like you have tagged him guilty already, Mr. Police! C.O said

No sir! He replied.

My C.O looked at me with pity; Ojo! He called; see what you have gotten into now? How did you come about the stolen Car? He asked

Oga! I said; after they paid us our outstanding depot allowance and our salaries in arrears, Mr. Chike the Spare parts dealer helped me to buy the car.

The same Chike, our supplier? C.O asked

Yes sir! I said

charijee:
Yeah getting interesting by the day ....pls and pls don't keep me waiting for too long.....anyways you're good with your descriptive prowess.......well done Domawoleye

Thanks Chari! You wont wait too long.

stonecoldcafe:
Well done op. I'm following dis story; really really following it. I only pray u don't remove a chunk somewhere (yeah I've read one of ur story where u did that) well done once again!

Not to worry Stone cold, I wont remove any chunk here. thanks for your time and encouragement.

CHAPTER 6

I applied for a week’s pass to enable me travel home and bring mama to Enugu, three days was approved by the A.O so I decided to travel on Saturday so that the three days starts to count from Monday, and fortunately I was not on weekend duty.

I set out for the journey at exactly 5.30am on a Saturday in mid July 1991 in company of my colleague and mate Saka, Saka is an indigene of Abeokuta in Ogun State. He knows the route to the west from Enugu having travelled severally along the road with his Boss the A.O, he also drives very well so he could take over the steering when I am tired, but the most important part of the journey was that I would be the Person to drive the Car into my Village. We were dressed in our Uniform, the Camouflage, I did not wear my Boot but kept it aside because I was to drive over a long distance.

At 8.00am we were already at Agbor when a Police Hilux Van over took us and waved at us to park our Car. I swerved the Car off the road cursing under my breath, how dare they? We sat in the Car and waited. The Police van reversed and almost hit the fender of my Car with its rear thereby blocking us from moving forward, I was furious, what impetus? We opened the doors of my car and stormed out challenging: What is the meaning of this nonsense? I asked:

Can’t you People see that we are military men? Saka barked as four Police men jumped down from the back of the Van brandishing AK47 Riffles

Hands up! One of them barked

You say what? I asked

Are you deaf? Armed robbers! I say raise your hands up and go down on your knees before I scatter you now! The same man roared obviously drunk, or so I had thought.

I knew better than argue with a man carrying a gun so we raised our hand and knelt down. Passersby where beginning to gather, I felt so embarrassed. Imagine common Police men disgracing combatant Nigerian Soldiers in Public simply because they have Guns, I wished for some Soldiers to appear from anywhere, I was bursting inside with self-control.

Can I see the Particulars of this Car? An inspector who was sitting inside the Van by the driver came down and asked, he has a Pistol in its pouch.

The Particulars are in the Glove compartment! I told him

Can I see your I.D badges? He asked

It’s in my breast pocket! I said

Mine is in my wallet in my back Pocket, Saka offered

Bring them out! He said as one of his Boys went to the glove compartment and came out with a brown envelope which he handed to the Inspector; he opened the envelope and brought out the receipt of purchase Chike had issue me.

This is the receipt of purchase! Where are the registration documents? Inspector asked and who amongst you is Ojo?

I am Ojo, I said, I have not done the registration yet, I just bought the Car! And please why all these embarrassment? I am on my way to my Village in Osun state and I have a very long distance to cover! I said.

How did you come about this car you are driving? Inspector asked

I bought from a car and Spare parts dealer in Enugu as evident on the receipt with you, the name and address of the seller is on the receipt! I said.

The Inspector looked cursorily at the receipt again; the address on this receipt is in Ikotun in Lagos State!

Oh! I did not read it, I said; maybe he has a branch in Lagos! But he gave me that receipt! I said.

Open the Bonnet! He directed one of his Boys, he stretched his hands and collected our ID badges; put down your hands! he said.
By this time, a crowd had gathered around us, mostly street hawkers and beggars along the road, I wished for the earth to open her mouth and swallow me, I contemplated standing up and putting up a bravado show, but I was far from Enugu and no Soldier was at sight, where are these Soldiers when you need them?.

The Bonnet was opened, inspector looked at the engine and chassis number, he went to their Van and brought out a Jotter, he came back to my Car and compared something in his Jotter with the Chassis and engine numbers of my car, then he shook his head sadly, I thought he had made a mistake, I waited patiently for him to apologize so I could give him a piece of my mind.

My Friend, are you Boys real Soldiers? Inspector asked

What sort of stupid question is that inspector? Saka charged; are you mad?

The Inspector gave a short sarcastic laugh and shook his head sadly with a wry smile.
My Friend, if you know the type of soup you have just entered now ehn? You will shut up your mouth! The inspector said. Oya let us go the Station! The two of you, go into that Van, my Boys will drive the Car after us.

Drive my Car? I asked; for what? Because of common Car documents? I am a regular combatant Soldier of the Nigerian Army! How can you be so uncooperative? Are we not all uniform men? What happened to “spirit de corps”? I swear I will go to Onitsha Barracks and mobilize my men once this is over! Is it because you are wielding Guns? You are threatening me with common AK 47! Kai! I don suffer! I kept ranting as Saka and I were cuffed and bundled into the Van to the excitement of the Crowd

CHAPTER 5

Within a week, I was driving very well, there are lots of spaces in the Barracks on which one could learn to drive a car and there were so many willing teachers so long a car is available. So every morning I drive to the Office picking People and dropping them along the way to my Office, there was no problem or eye brow raised because three of my mates also bought Cars and everyone knew the source of our Money except for some elderly Soldiers that frowned at our choice of purchasing Cars instead of buying Lands and start building, but I was just twenty years old and quite naturally, building a house was the last thing on my mind.

I wanted to go home and show the world what God has done for my small family, I wanted to carry Mama in the Car and go round the Village, I wanted to drive her to every where she had trekked to and finally I wanted to drive her back to Enugu to start a new life, she was about forty five years old but she looked sixty and I know that with a good diet and rest she could recover her shine for they said she used to be a sight to behold in her youth. I planned to rent a Shop for her and set up a hair dressing salon for her. Perhaps she could even find love again, some Soldier could be interested in her and I really would love that to happen to Mama, she deserves a second chance at love.

The engine of the car was in superb condition, vapour still drips from the exhaust pipe when I steam the Car; my Friends said I bought PAN; that was the term used to describe a brand new Peugeot Car fresh from the stable of Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited. I did not bother about the registration of the Car so as to get the necessary cover documents, I was a Soldier and my identity Card surpasses any type of license or documentation in the Country, so I had come to believe because I was yet to see a serving Soldier whose vehicle particulars are up to date.

My life changed momentarily, I now dress well and also drive a car, I have a little furnished apartment of my own, wao! The world was in my pocket, I even had some change to throw around even though I had never had the privilege of being extravagant. I get to work daily in my sparkling Car which I made a point of duty to scrub daily whether it is dirty or not. I was comfortable in my own right.
I finally rented a Shop at the Mammy Market and I locked it up pending Mama’s arrival. I needed to know what she would prefer to do with the Shop and I also needed to go round the market to know what trade would spin fast money in the Barracks.
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We played the final match against the Garrison Unit and we defeated them by two goals, once again I scored the winning goal, I was celebrated as usual and my popularity spread through the length and breadth of the Barracks, everywhere I went I heard my name, Oj! Oj! I waved to so many people while I gave “thumps up” to others. We settled at the CBM later in the evening for celebration and our unit senior Officers paid for everything we ate and drank.

Two days after the football finals competition, my C.O summoned me to his Office and presented a sealed Army Customized envelope to me, he asked me to open it and read before him as he was interested in its content: the letter was from the Army Directorate for Sports, I had been nominated for screening into the Prestigious Army national football team “The Green Beret”. I leapt for joy and clung on My C.O before I realized I was jumping on a Colonel in Uniform, I recoiled immediately and prostrated on the floor in my uniform apologizing to him,
Common stand up and don’t be silly! He said: he pulled me closer and patted me on the shoulder: congratulations my Boy! You have a bright Career ahead of you, if you succeed, you may have to leave the Signals Corp for the Physical training unit, he said.

I did not really know much about the PT unit save for the fact that they are in charge of organizing sporting activities and screening of recruits for the Army, they control the Gymnasium, the Football fields, and every other sport facility and the physical training of Soldiers too. I was indifferent. I was simply happy.

Our money was finally paid in the Month of May, I was paid nine Months allowance used in Zaria depot plus five months arrears as a serving Soldier. All the money amounted to twenty thousand naira! In 1991 twenty thousand naira was like twenty million naira today and I really felt like a millionaire back then. In all of my life, I had never thought of owning such amount of money.

I furnished my house sparsely. I bought a giant sized six by six inches mattress, I bought green rug Carpet for the two rooms and placed my mattress on the Rug. I did not make a bed, I bought a medium range electronic set and a twenty one inches coloured Television. My Dad never owned a television or any electronic gadget till he died; even the transistor radio he carried about was given to him by a debtor who could not pay for the palm wine my dad supplied him during new yam festival. So I felt so accomplished when I opened my door and beheld my transformed two room apartment, with every property owned by me. My Mother needs to see this.

I went to Ogete main Market and bought some clothes and Shoes. I bought some Ankara fabric and jewelries for Mama; I bought her hand bags and Shoes too. When I slept at night on my Giant sized mattress, I went to heaven and woke after nine o’clock in the morning when everyone had gone to work. Of course when I got to work at after ten o’clock I was relieved of my Beret, my belt and shoes and marched straight to the Guard room! The only question my RSM asked me was: You dey sick? To which I answered No Sir! March him to the guard room! He ordered the Korofo marshal, the quarter master drilled me to the guard room with his swagger stick cursing and insulting me as if I had issues with him before now. Common move! Oya! Frog jump! Frog jump! He commanded while jabbing me with his stick. Stupid boy! Idiot! When small money enter una hand, na so una go de do any how! He poked me harder with his stick even though I was obeying his commands and frog jumping to the guard room.
The RSM did not tell him to punish me, he was simply told to march me to the guard room but immediately the RSM was out of sight, he resorted to punishing me.
Yeye boy! He continued: you don go drink, Bleep ashawo forget yourself! No worry, no be this barracks you dey? That your money go soon finish! Oya pull that your wrist watch give me! So you don go buy ‘shine shine’ watch ko? Idiot boy! Barger! Oya commot that chain wey dey your neck! You be woman? Stupid boy!
In all of the rants I did not utter a word, I knew better, I was released later that night and I went home to freshen up before reporting for night guard duty at the house of my CO.

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We played the semi final match against the 244 Recce Battalion of Awkwunanaw and we defeated them on a penalty shoot out , I scored the last and winning penalty shot and I was raised shoulder high at the end of the match. Sergeant Korofo carried me on his shoulder and ran round the barracks while our supporters and team mate ran after him singing and jubilating. We later settled down and the CB mess for drinks and entertainment.
Chike came around when we were rounding up at the mess and called me out for a chat.
Congratulations Ojo! He said

Thank you Oga Chike! I replied

The Car don ready o! Na you I dey wait now! He announced;

You mean am? I asked: which kind of car? How much:

Na Peugeot 504GR and na eight thousand naira: he said.

Haba Chike! He too cost nah! I no get eight thousand naira I beg. I replied.

So na how much you want to pay? He asked

I can’t pay more than Five thousand naira, and I need to see the Motor first, I said.

Oya follow me! He said as he turned and walked briskly towards the tarred road where cars are parked, I followed behind in excitement.

He pointed at a navy blue coloured 504 saloon car and dangled the keys before me, we entered the Car and he started the engine and revved it. The engine sound was superb and the interior very neat and smooth. He said the Car does not have a factory fitted air condition but it can be installed if I care, who cares? I asked him. I love the Car instantly and I agreed to buy it if he is willing. He accepted my offer and the next day I paid him in full and I became the proud owner of a Peugeot 504 GR saloon Car! And that was how I bought trouble with my money!

CHAPTER 4

I travelled back to base and resumed duty on a Monday; it was a week to Christmas. The daily routines were waking up in the morning and do my morning pushups and sit ups as I get set for work. I report for work at 7.30am and by 8.00am it is time for morning parade. Here we are addressed by the Commanding Officer (C.O) the Administrative Officer (A.O) or the Regimental sergeant Major (R.S.M) we are briefed of any development and any information necessary is announced to us. Issues are also treated on the Parade ground.

Issues could be anything ranging from refusal to give your Wife adequate monthly allowance, Wife battering, drunkenness, Igbo smoking, sleeping with the daughter of a fellow Soldier (Children above 18 are not supposed to live in the Barracks) Fighting, the list is endless. Our dresses are also inspected and our breath smelled to find out those that wash their eyes with hot drinks before coming to work daily.

Our Office is inside the barracks community and I trek 30 minutes to the Office from my House, some Soldiers come to work with Motor Cycles while others trek, Soldiers that were fortunate to have gone for one or two internationally peace keeping mission drive Cars to the Office. They could afford Cars as a result of accumulated salaries while away on the peace keeping mission; they are paid allowances while on mission so they could save their salaries.

For those that are married, they sign up some cheque leafs for their Wives for monthly family upkeep and Children School fees, the unmarried ones save more except for those that have serious relationships or live-in lovers before departure for the operation. There are several cases of Men that returned from two years peace keeping mission only to discover that all the monies saved up or sent home have been squandered by their Wives, such cases results into family break ups as such Wives are termed “Witches” they never expected their husbands to return alive. For Soldiers that do not return home alive, all his savings and benefits goes to his next of Kin.

At 2.30pm it is close of work officially but sometimes one has to hang around until the senior officers have left the Office before you can leave because of any ad-hoc assignment that could come up.
I was a signaler, attached to the radio room and my job was to receive and transmit information within all military formations, some information are coded and has to be decoded for further transmission. Some volatile and high profiled messaged are transmitted “encoded” for security reasons. Only the recipients can decode such messages. Our office also tracks messages within the national telecommunication networks to surf out potential dangerous information of national interest.

Whenever I am on night duty, I take the next day off, sometimes I am attached to the house of a senior officer as night guard, or I am assigned to guard a sensitive post. The job routine was fixed and I have my weekends to myself except if I am on weekend duty. I have planned to enroll in either of the Enugu state university or the institute of management and technology for a part time degree program once I am fully settled, say next year.

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We did not receive any salaries in December and January; HQ admin was yet to be done with our documentation into the NA database so I survived on borrowing and charity. We were very credit worthy for older Soldiers readily lend us monies because they all knew we were expecting something big when our bulk money is paid up, and once this is paid, everyone will know. The barracks is a small community where nothing goes unnoticed.
I stopped smoking marijuana because I was broke and managing the meager resources with me as I wait patiently for my pay, Secondly Igbo smoking was not encouraged in the Army contrary to my expectation, in fact it was a punishable offence to be caught smoking Indian hemp, however, fifty percent of the Soldiers still smoke it. I had brought a lot of food stuff from the Village but after three months of non receipt of salary my Ban became empty.

By April in 1991, we were preparing for the annual G.O.C (General Officer Commanding) Cup inter unit football tournament. I was among the Players of the Signals Corp, I played centre forward and we go to the Field every evening after office hours for training and practice. It was during one of those sessions that I met Mr. Chike or Oga Chike as he was popularly called.

Oga Chike was a Civilian business man that deals on Machines and automobile Spare parts at a market called “Coal camp” in Enugu. He supplies the Army spare parts from time to time and he is well known in the barracks, he is about the only Civilian that would drive into the barracks without being interrogated at the main gate. He approached me after a training session and shook hands with me, he said he liked the way I play football, he encouraged me to keep it up and strive to be enlisted into the revered “Green Beret” Army Team. Players in the Green Beret are favoured with speedy promotions and a lot of leisure. I thanked him and together we strolled to the Corporal below mess (CBM) we joined others to watch an ongoing football match while he ordered for drinks. I had no Television set in my house so I normally come to the mess to get entertained.

It was during my discussion with Chike that I indicated interest in buying a cheap car when I receive my money, I told him I would love to drive the Car to my Village to pick my Mother and bring her to Enugu with me. He promised to help me get one when I am ready. He said he had some cars handy for sale but are far beyond my reach based on my budget.

The Football competition started in earnest and I made more friends, my skill at playing local football in the Village and chasing games in the Forest paid off as I was easily spotted as a Star on the field, I scored in every match that we played, I scored two goals when we played against the military Police, I scored a goal when we played against the medical corps and two goals against Engineers, we drew two goals apart with Workshop and BAD (Base ammunition depot) My unit was top on the league.

SELF RELIANCE

Teach me how to fish
Give me no more fish
So I can enjoy and relish
From my own pond of Fish

I want to be free
Like leaves on Trees
Owing no man no fees
Because I was born free

I do not want to beg
Before I eat an egg
I want my farm to tend
So for my own I can fend

For now that I am young
And the carefree world I belong
But I dread to wallow too long
Before you leave for the great beyond

So teach me today
How my nest to lay
So when I come of age
I will have no war to wage

A CRY FROM BAKASSI

I am called a Child from the Gutter
Because in my Clan our Wallets stutter
Jubilation is absent when my people gather
Because hopes and aspirations have gone asunder

In my Clan survival belongs to the fittest
If you cannot contend then you take a rest
For if the bird does not leave its nest
The hunter cannot make an arrest

Pity Patter Pity patter! Here comes the rain
Each of us, Bowls in hands taking bail
Flooded homes, our possessions on the sail
Patched roofs, blocked drainages, our efforts in vain

Rain! Sun! Harmattan! We go no where
For after the rain we know the sun will appear
To dry up and bring back that which we hold dear
Our land, our home, we are going no where

In Rain and in Shine we endure this pain
Of Diseases and Sicknesses our Children are slain
Living with Crabs and Frogs in full disdain
Waiting for Government to no avail

Like the Bat we are neither here nor there
For Our brothers have sold us for a plate of Pottage
Our buyers see us as excess Baggage
Oh Bakassi! My Bakassi when will the day break?

Before the Crowd dispersed that night, our house was filled with variety of food stuff brought by the Villagers to assist my Mother in taking care of her guest, me.

I went to greet the Kabiesi that night; I went still dressed in my Military regalia. He was so happy and proud of me, he felt honoured that I paid him homage with the Army Uniform. My Village is a small one and I do not know any serving Military personnel that hail from my Village, my people are scared of the Army and Soldiers generally. Before I got returned home that night, Kabiesi had sent a bag of rice and some tubers of Yams to my mother.

It was a different me that wentto the Village, I seldom talked and People thought I had become mean and ruthless. My Friendskept distance from me as they do not know what they may say or do that would unleash the supposed inate beast in me. But it was just me, the fresh experience from the depot had made me to see life differently, life is a battle field and not a Market place as some people say, but I was not mean, I have never been, I was just cautious, I observe my environment and listened more than I talked.

Mama started talking about marriage but I reminded her that I was just nineteen years old, she had forgotten. She now sees the Man I have turned into instead of the Boy I really am. She started calling me Oko mi (My Husband) instead of Ojo my name, also her name in the Village changed from “Iya oloju kan” to “Mama Soja” (A Soldiers Mother). She received a lot of Visitors during my five days stay in the Village, she had suddenly become popular, and who visits my Mother at home before? She had no friends! No one associates with the Pauper. Now, those that owed her money for services she rendered to them years back readily paid up! I know my People, I was the reason.

Mama began to eat well; she ate three times daily throughout my stay. Baba Miko suddenly assumed the position of my Father, he had being of great assistance to Mama during my absence and so when I came home, he was the only one that was bold enough to talk to me like the Child he used to know, I owe him gratitude. He furnished me with information on things going on in the Village; he was also revered for being the God Father of a Soldier. Mama told me that Baba Miko uses my personality to threaten his debtors and any ensuing opposition.

On the fourth day in the Village, the Kabiesi invited me for an evening stroll, we strolled together, I was dressed in my Army branded Sportswear, a track suite on Canvas, I did not have Clothes to wear save for the military attire I got from the depot, my old Clothes in the Village were all under sized. Together we went down to a drinking spot close to the Dam build on the popular Osun river that flowed through my Village, some of his Chiefs and friends were there already and I was given a warm reception.

They asked me several questions as we palm wine and gnawed at smoked Grass cutter meat in peppered sauce, I laughed as I attempted to answer most of their fallacious and ridiculous questions about the Army and her Soldiers, I was able to clarify many of the wrong impressions they had about the Army.

In all, I gained respect! I brought back respect and honour to the name of my Father, a name he had soaked in Palm wine. Whenever I walked down the street, I hear Children hailing me, waving and shouting “Morning Sir!” I waved back at them; even the Girls began to smile at me and seek for opportunity for acquaintance, but was a totally different scenario ten months ago. I now dine and wine with the likes of Kabiesi and titled men in the Village, I was just a common private Soldier!

Kabiesi gave me a hectare of Land to do whatever pleases me with; I told him I would love to farm on it for now pending when I am fully settled in the Army.
I was to come back and pick my mother to Enugu after I must have collected my bulk money and furnish my home in the Barracks. But that was not to be, it never happened, the world was not done with us yet

CHAPTER 3

I was anxious throughout the journey home. I wished the driver could run faster, I felt like taking over the steering from him but I had not known how to drive then, I looked at the speedometer and saw that the man was on 120 km/h already. I had butterflies in my stomach; I would laugh out of excitement at intervals when I think of the reaction I would get from my kinsmen upon reaching the Village. I know some passengers in the bus were nervous whenever I gave out my intermittent chuckles, they might be thinking I am not sane.

The Bus stopped at Ilesha at past two o’clock and I joined a taxi to Ijebu jesha from where I joined another taxi to my village Esa Odo, I dropped at the Market junction in the Village which is along the road to Ilare. I was fully cladded in my military uniform, my Boots were sparkling in the Sun, my green khaki stood still as if it was carved out of wood, I re positioned my beret perfectly on my head as I began to march towards my house like a robot cop.

The crowd grew as I marched home wards, I could hear whispers from women and Children all around me, I did not look sideways, I heard my name spoken, some were doubting if it was Ojo, some say it is Makanjuola, others whispered Stephen. I also heard someone whispered “is this not the son of Iya oloju kan?” it is him! Another answered, it is wa pa! (Short for wa pami loni)

Then why is he walking like this? Another asked.

Why are you asking me? Look at him before you! Ask him yourself! Another person countered.

I was hearing all they were saying but I was not seeing them, I was looking at my house at the distance.

Don’t you know they give them a certain injection when they join the Army? Someone proffered.

And so what? Another challenged. What has that got to do with the way he is walking! Is he a robot? Why are his arms spread as if he wants to fly? And why is his chin so raised and he is not even looking sideways!

Ha! Alaba watch your mouth o! Don’t you know what they call Sojas during the war? Kill and go! He is in a Killer mood now o! He can kill any one of us now if he has a gun!

Ha! Olorun maje! (God forbid) who will give him a gun here? And why would he kill us? Is this a battle field?

The crowd grew, the whispers became murmurs, the murmurs became clatters, soon it was noise all over me, and I kept walking as they run along to meet my pace.

I kept walking, I saw her from afar, she was seated plaiting someone’s hair, two other women sat on a bench opposite her, they had Trays on their laps and their hands were busy.

I increased my pace, I wanted to run, I couldn’t, I wanted to call her but my tongue was tied, my head was swelling, my vision was blurring, the tears dripped freely as I began to jog towards my mother.

She rose from afar, I saw her rise, and she looked towards my direction, our direction, me and my crowd. She sat down and continued her work. She stood up almost immediately she used her hands to block the sun rays from her eyes as she started towards my direction, some children had already run to meet her and were talking to her. She started towards me, her wrapper loosened and dropped on the ground as she limped toward me, she limped , she jumped and she slumped as she was trying to reach me, I screamed “Mama!” she got up and limped quickly towards me shouting my name.
We met; we locked in an inseparable embrace. I had never cried like that in all my life. We clung to each other for over ten minutes crying. Other women present at the scene were crying too and rendering my ancestral praises. I found strength and lifted my fragile Mother off her feet, I carried her like a baby and marched towards the house, she clung to me with her head on my chest crying, we got home and I gently placed her on the chair she was sitting before my arrival while I sat on a stool close to her and cleaning her tears with my immaculate white handkerchief.

My Son you have changed! She managed to say

I know mama I replied

Shh! someone hushed the crowd: iya ati omo nsoro! E dake yin! (Mother and Child are talking! Be quiet!)

What happened to your legs mama? I asked: you were limping!

Before she could open her mouth, someone offered

She tripped and fell on her way from the early morning stream!

She had a big pot of water on her head, it was still dark! Another offered
It was very serious o! A third person said: we thank God for Baba Miko and Okoro the Igbo Chemist! Your mother could not walk for four good days!

A fourth person said: your mother does not eat else she would have recovered fully!

The first person said: how would the drugs administered on her work when she does not eat food? When we beg her to eat, she says she heard that there is hunger at the Army training ground; she said we should help her take the food to you instead! She said she cannot bring herself to eat when you are hungry and suffering.

I nodded my head affirming all that was said, which is typical of my Mother. I pulled her closer: hope you will eat now mama? I asked
Yes my son! I will eat! In fact I am hungry now! She said

Mama got up and stamped her feet twice on the floor, she placed her hands on her waist and wriggled it severally then she walked briskly towards the room
Let me get some food to eat and then take my drugs! Can’t you see I can walk well now? She asked.

The shout from the crowd was understandable, it was a miracle, and my presence had healed mama.

Chapter 2

The Land of no going back

I spent nine months at the Nigerian Army recruitment Training depot Zaria and I survived it. I went to hell and returned. I was in the Charley Company, the yellow Company. My head was shaven and it was taboo to allow hair grow on it. All my belongings were separated from me, I was given some pairs of military uniforms and sports wears, and every other material used there was made for the Army, from basic utensils to toiletries.

The torture and suffering at the depot was incomparable. We were reduced to nothing by the military instructors. We were flogged like Cattles whenever we erred, if a Man derails during the training, all members of his team suffer for it and one Man’s victory is equally everyman’s. That is why you do not insult or assault a Soldier in public because every Soldier within the vicinity will fight for him. The weather did not help matters, when it was cold; it was extreme and when it was hot, was like a furnace.

It was nine months in hell, I had no visitor from home, even though I expected none, I secretly wished for a surprise visit from my Mother especially when other recruits receive visitors that bring them Garri and Kulikuli (Baked groundnut) I had learnt to manage hunger right from Child hood because I was brought up in perpetual want and need. But I never missed my meals at the depot, I do not do anything that would make me to forfeit my meal and I take it personal with any member of my team that causes any situation that would make me to miss my meal. Some recruits skip their meals and use the period to rest since they have alternative. I could not afford that luxury.

My mind was just fixed on the P.O.P day. I knew the phase would pass someday. Many of us could not cope with the rigours of the “land of no going back” as the depot was tagged. Some ran away while some left on medical grounds. I could n not do either as I had nowhere to run to, as long as there were still some recruits who could endure this travail to the end, then I must be amongst them.

I fell ill about four times: the first was as a result of blood clot in my ears, we were made to sit on our heads for three hours, some instructors stood by with Kobokos in their hands flogging and kicking anyone that falls down back into position, the position is like this, we were spread on the parade ground, the ground is made of coal tar and gravel chippings so it is rough and jagged. We squat with our palms on the ground, the we tilt forward and plant our shinning heads on the ground, we then raise up our buttocks using our hands for support till we form an ”A’” shape, then we stretch our hands backwards behind our backs and clasps our palms together consequently the weight of the upper body is shifted to the head, in a couple of minutes we begin to shake all over sweating profusely and wailing, it is even made worse when we are compelled to be singing while under such in human posture “Go and tell my Mother that I am doing well” is the ironic song we normally sing under any punitive situation.

At the end of such session, it is common to see some of us rush to the M.R.S (Clinic) to pull out chipping from the head or to clean up blood dripping from the Nose or ear, there is also this disconnection between your lower and upper body that you need to lie down for some time to allow the normal flow of blood through your body system. It is also a very common sight to see recruits with plastered head or bandaged joint in the depot. We lost eleven recruits to incidents during my set at depot. Some fell from height during the obstacle crossing exercise and broke their necks, some died out of exhaustion and dehydration while trying to run the almighty twenty Miles marathon race, some also died as a result of infectious diseases contacted in the depot.

Majority of us had infections at different times, wearing of Boots for almost fourteen hours daily both under rain and shine led most of us to develop foot rot or Athletes foot as it is called. The odor that oozes out from our Boots when we pull it remains indelible in my memory; the supply of foot powder given to us could not help.

Scabies was another infection that was rampant at the depot. I contacted it because I could wear an under wear for days without washing it, though my Khaki uniform was always clean because physical appearance mattered a lot, you have to look smart always even though you could be soaked in a pool of dirty water any minute, I was always itching, whenever my hands goes into my trousers pockets, I scratch till It hurts, I had blisters all over me, the whole of my back, my buttocks, my crouch, I had sores all over me. My worse moments were when we were on parade ground at attention and the itchy sensation begins, my Gawd! You dare not move while at attention, and my balls and buttocks are itching crazy, it is better experienced than described.

On completion of the five miles marathon race, I lost the use of my limbs for four days, I was given a set of Crotches with which I limped and attended to other activities, about twenty of us got Crotches after that race, some refused to let go of their crotches even when it was evident their legs were okay, some insisted they needed to go home for alternative medical attention, while some had their Crotches taken away while they were asleep at night, naturally they started using their legs again.

Another incident that took me to the Hospital was food poisoning. Fifty percent of the recruits were defecating and vomiting after a meal of Beans and yam at night. It was an emergency situation as there were screams from every quarter of the Depot, it was a very terrible experience, I never knew a stomach ache that painful, it was excruciating, and I was defecating uncontrollably like a tap of water left running. We were rushed to the Hospital in batches as all the Staff and Soldiers of the Medical Corps were summoned to work that night, by morning we lost five recruits to Food poisoning. The panel of enquiry set up by the Army to investigate the incident came up with the fact that the beans we ate that night was still fresh with the chemical used to preserve it.

After nine months, I had added five inches to my height, I was lanky and gaunt, I had learnt how to smoke cigarettes and Igbo (Marijuana) I was not addicted to Igbo though and that was because of the consequences of smoking with an empty stomach. I never had food in my Locker, I only depended on food served us at the Canteen so I only smoked before meals time, the good thing about Igbo was that it makes the Mountains in your life become valleys, after smoking some joints together, we begin to reason together and justify the hardship in the depot as a means of toughening us, we began to plan on how to deal with any bloody Civilian that messes with us when we get to the real world. That is why it is common to see Soldiers soaking Civilians in Gutters or giving them Frog jump drills whenever they have such opportunity. The summary of all we learnt at the depot was to kill. That’s all! Every training was channeled towards how to kill an enemy either you are armed or not.

The D day came and we graduated. The Passing out parade was very colourful and awesome. We were posted into various units across the Country. I was drafted into the Signals Corps and was posted to the 82nd Division with HQ in Enugu. Sixty three of us were posted to the 82nd Division; we were conveyed by two Army branded Coastal Buses from Kaduna to Enugu, a banner with the inscription “Beware! Hungry Dragons” was tied to the front of the First Bus. We belonged to the Dragon Division.

Everywhere we stopped en route Enugu, we wrecked havoc. With ugly bald heads, blood shot eyes; we grabbed food stuffs from Hawkers and gnawed without paying for the Items. Even when we stopped to refill our Gas at a Petrol station, we ordered the Driver not to pay a dime to the attendant, we were Government Children! “Government Pikin” we stopped at Lokoja to eat, there was a cheap Brothel by the eatery, we entered the Brothel and took advantage of the unsuspecting Prostitutes, they were throwing stones at our Bus and swearing at us as we zoomed out of Lokoja like Rebels. We drank cheap hot drinks and smoked all the way to Enugu. Freedom is a sweet thing to experience, I was eventually free or so I had thought.

We reported at the divisional HQ for detailing and debriefing by the colonel G.S. he welcomed us into the real military world and gave us orientation on the scope of operations of the Division. The division covered the whole of eastern and southern Nigeria including the middle belt. We were further posted to various units within the division. I was retained in the capital City under the command of Colonel Asemota the Commanding Officer of the Signals Corps.

All I had in life was in the “Ghana must go” bag that I carried to the depot, it was returned to me intact at the end of the training at Kaduna and that was all I had as I settled into the two room Apartment given to me in the Barracks. I was happy to have a roof over my head, a real house, not the patched mud house I grew up in at Esa Odo. I had a toilet and a bathroom and a Kitchen all to myself! Free of Charge! No bills to pay, it was like a dream, I wished not to wake from this dream, I pinched myself hard and it hurt, then I knew it was not a dream, I screamed out loud then I knelt down and said a prayer to God, I did not pray throughout my stay at the depot but on this day, I was sure I had survived. I thanked God for his protection and I begged God to forgive all my short comings. I prayed to God to keep my Mother safe for me, even though I was sure she was on her knees praying for me at the same moment, at times when I had wanted to pray at the depot, I imagined my Mother was doing same on my behalf so I used such time for something else.

With the little allowance I had with me, I went to the mammy Market and purchased some basic house hold stuffs, especially cooking utensils. I could not buy a mattress so I made do with my Military Blanket on the floor. I was waiting for the payment of our nine months salaries accumulated while on training. It would be paid in bulk to us so we can start life with it after which we would rely only on our monthly salaries.
After a week of reporting to Enugu, I was granted one week pass to go home and see my family, I did not have enough money on me so my R.S.M lent me the sum of five hundred naira, and it was a huge amount as at December 1990. I travelled home to see the only one Person in my life, my Mother.

princesa:
Thanks everyone for voting, the score reads:


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Thanks everyone for voting! And Congratulations to Divepen!

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Don't forget that Regular updater of the month kicks off tomorrow, so keep a date here.

Congratulations Divenpen! I voted for you too. and Repo Girl, Thumps up to you. For every one that voted for Domawoleye, I love you Guys, I came 8th with my seven votes and I feel like a winner. It means so much to me. The time I find to scribble down Stories amidsts my very very tight work and family schedule is being rewarded by you appreciating my work. God bless you all. And please forgive me for not updating regularly, this is my peak season at work and I can only think WORK. Thank you all.

We ran the race in batches of fifty persons, male and female. I came back the fifth position in my batch. Running had never been an issue for me, I grew up in the Village so hunting games in the forest had prepared me for the race, the only difference was that here I was running on plane and smooth terrain as we ran round the circumference of the Barracks.

Upon arrival, our names and details were recorded in a hard cover note book, the names of the first ten persons were recorded while others were declared disqualified instantly and were advised to leave the barracks immediately. We were then taken inside the Gymnasium for push-ups and sit-up exercises. I did well in all the physical exercises while more Persons were disqualified.

At the end of the day, forty of us qualified from all the batches and were eligible for medical test the next day. I could not go home that day because we had to report at the military hospital early in the morning with our early morning urine and sample of our feces, this was to be collected before we taste anything in the morning.

I knew my Mother would be very worried at my absence from the house and I also knew that Baba Miko would have questions to answer. I had never slept outside the House in all my growing up life. Mama at this stage did not know of my plans to join the Army. I wanted it to be a surprise to her, I knew she would oppose the idea but Bab Miko had encouraged me to go all the way as there was nothing to lose if I fail, he also told me that I had to take certain decisions as a man without seeking my Mother’s opinion.

After four days at Ede barracks, I was among the Fifteen Boys and two girls of Osun state Origin that were short listed for the 1990 Nigerian Army recruitment exercise. We were to gather together in two weeks at the Barracks from where we would be driven to Zaria for a nine months training at the “Land of no going back.”

I went back home and went straight to the building site to meet Baba Miko but was shocked to see my Mother seated at a corner with swollen face, she had her scarf tied to her waist and she was bare footed. Immediately she saw me, she stood up and started walking away.
Oya! Oya! Just be going with your Mother like that! Baba Miko said: pointing at my Mother’s direction.
I knew better than say anything or apologizing to Baba Miko at that moment because I knew what my Mother must have put him through.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

It was a herculean task convincing my Mother to let me go to Zaria for the recruitment exercise, whenever I remember the drama that ensued in the house on the day I finally left Esa-Odo to meet our contingent at Ede, I weep. A mother’s love for her Child is pure. Mother and Son wept inconsolably, Villagers were gathered to see me off as well as proffer several pieces of advice.

The Villagers kept singing into my head “Ma gbagbe Iya e o!” do not forget your Mother o! Of course I am all she had lived for, how can I possibly forget her? I have no other person in the world but her, we lived for each other, but I needed to go and see the bigger world outside my Cocoon.

Chapter 2
The Land of no going back

We lived in a two room mud house with wooden doors and windows. Rusted and leaking Zinc as roofing sheets. The roof is supported with old and worn out Motor tyres and heavy stones to hold it down during rain storms, there is electricity in some parts of the Village but we were not that privileged to own a meter let alone tap electricity from the nearest neighbor that has electricity, this is because we could not spare the stipend to be paid monthly as NEPA bill.

Rumour also had it that my Mother could not remarry due to the curse placed on her by her late Father. My father’s tragic death was also ascribed to be as a result of her ill luck and bad omen. I was her only hope to tell the world that she was not under any curse since I am still alive. Thus she became a staunch member of the Christ Apostolic Church and that automatically makes me a member too.

I was the drummer Boy of the Church’s Choir and I could sing and dance well too but my mother did not encourage me singing outside of the Church, it gave her bad memories even though she confessed that she loved the way I was the center of attraction when the church members danced to the alter to give offering or donations.

I would dance forward and backward and before you know it the person in front of me on the queue would be ten yards away while those behind me would be stationary and waiting for me to dance forward and allow them to move forward, I don’t do this deliberately though but I guessed it’s the spirit of dancing that runs in my Father’s blood. If anyone complements me that I dance like my Father, my mother was quick to rebuke such and say “My Son dance like David danced in the Bible”!


I graduated from Secondary School at the age of eighteen at the Community Grammar School Esa-Odo but my result was not fantastic. I got passes in English and Mathematics, I got credit passes in Yoruba and Christian religious knowledge and I failed fine remaining subjects. I had always known that the University was not for me so I was not serious about reading hard to go to one. I just wanted to round up my secondary education and acquire the skill of Carpentry or Brick laying. My only ambition then was to rebuild our house, I never thought of leaving the Village because in all my life I had never entered a vehicle that traveled as far as thirty minutes.

So I attached myself to Baba Miko, his name is actually Michael. He was the most popular Brick layer in the Village and has built lots of houses in the Village for People that live in the Cities and only come home during holidays or festivals like burial ceremonies of their relations or on Esa-Odo day celebration. We started going to work together so I could perfect on the skills I had already acquired while growing up and indulging in several menial jobs. I knew a little of everything called work. I only needed experience to become a specialist.

It was while working at the site of an Army officer resident in Lagos but building a Duplex in the village that I got wind of the news that the Army was recruiting and interested Candidates should go to the Barracks at Ede and obtain the Recruitment Form.

I told Baba Miko I was interested and he allowed me to travel to Ede the next day to obtain the form. That was the first day I actually traveled out of Esa- Odo. I went in the Company of another Boy from Ijebu-Jesha that was a co laborer, he knew his way around Ede.
I returned from Ede and joined Baba Miko at the Site and with his assistance, we got the form signed by our Kabiesi (Local Village head) Oba Adewale Adesankan. I also went to Obokun local Government Headquarters the next day to obtain the signature of the Chairman as well as get my certificate of origin letter.

After a week of running around and updating the form, I went back to Ede to submit the form and was surprised to see that the recruitment screening exercise was starting same day. There were so many youths present there with their sports attire and file jackets containing copies of their credentials. I hurriedly made copies of my credentials at a kiosk nearby and ran towards the office to see if I would be fortunate to submit my form.

Na wetin? A Soldier asked me as I arrived at the reception panting

Good morning Sir! I said: I want to submit my form sir! I just dey travel come from my village, and I dey hear say na today the thing dey start!

Shut up! Give me the form! Oya go and join others outside: the Soldier commanded.

I joined the crowd of youths well kitted in sports attire and canvas shoes to match, I was wearing a Buba and sokoto with a bath room Slippers, I looked out of place.