Whirlwind of Mercy: The Story of a Country at War with the Truth by Pearl Adams, chapters 1 & 2.Whirlwind of Mercy: The Story of a Country at War with the Truth by Pearl Adams, chapters 1 & 2.
Chapter 1 – Lagos, Nigeria: Wake-Up Call
“I have come to report the theft of my pot of soup, Officer.
Officer, I said I’ve come to report the theft of my pot of soup”.
“I heard you Madam. When was it stolen and where were you at the time of the theft?”
“I was at home, Officer.”
“Was your home broken into Madam?”
“No Officer. I live alone and nobody has the key to the flat except me.”
Police Corporal Elliot sat straight in his chair and gave the woman a hard stare.
“Madam, do you know where you are? Do you think the Nigeria Police Force was set up to track down missing pots of soup? If you’ll excuse me, I have something better to do with my time.”
The woman looked helplessly at the two other Policemen who were listening to the conversation with amusement in their eyes. She shrugged her shoulders and walked out of the Police station.
As soon as she was out of earshot, the three Policemen roared with laughter, which attracted the attention of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Philip Onjeh, who had just escorted his female guest to her car. “You guys are in high spirit today. Can I share in the joke?”
Sergeant Tunde Imnah found his voice and gave him a run down on what transpired with the strange woman.
“Well, thank God somebody appreciates us enough to ask for help to trace a missing pot of soup! Let’s hope nobody comes to report a missing piece of meat from her saucepan! By the way, have you guys found the case file of the former Minister’s son?
Sergeant Imnah looked at his colleagues with something akin to fright. They had released the case file to the former Minister at a price, and had shared the booty with their boss, although they didn’t give him details of the transaction because he claimed to be a born again Christian. The boy had been arrested along with six other students of the University of Lagos for alleged complicity in cult-related activities.
“Sir, we’ll double our efforts to track down the missing file. We are waiting for Sergeant Danlami Lukas to return from the Headquarters. He was last seen with the file. He should be able to throw more light on the matter, Sir.”
“Okay, I’m off to the Mess. Let me know if anything interesting crops up”.
“Okay Sir. Should we send you the routine signal for your signature?”
“You can sign the signal Sergeant”
“Thank you Sir”
As the DPO left the station, a light skinned woman with three children in tow entered the premises. They were chattering excitedly as they opened the door to the station.
Corporal Benji Elliot, the Station Writer was in a foul mood. “What is the meaning of this Madam? The Police station is not a market. What’s your problem?”
“Officer, somebody has taken my pot of soup and the pounded yam1 I prepared for my family. I woke up around 4am to prepare the food because we planned to visit my husband’s aged parents along with some of the food. I went back to bed around 6.30am and woke up by 8am to find everything gone.”
Corporal Dennis Eneh couldn’t suppress a chuckle.
“Madam, do you expect us to help you recover your pounded yam in the stomach of your children? When we tell you parents to teach your children morals you call us names. I beg Madam don’t disturb us with your tales.”
“You don’t seem to understand, Officer. My children slept at my sister’s house yesterday. I had to send for them when the incident occurred because I was frightened. Nobody broke into our home and my husband woke up when I raised the alarm. Of course, he couldn’t have eaten food meant for about six people!”
Sergeant Imnah intervened at that point.
“Okay Madam. We will follow you to your house and see if we can find a clue to this mystery.”
As the Policemen were preparing to leave for the investigation, three women rushed in panting. One of them, a petite woman of about 43 years spoke first.
“Officer, someone has stolen all the food I stored in my freezer. I can’t believe that such a thing can happen in this country. I woke up this morning to defrost soup for my household only to meet my freezer empty and….”
Another woman cut in “Mine is a tray of salad I prepared for a neighbor whose daughter is wedding today. Officer you must help us catch these thieves before things get out of hand.”
Imnah suppressed a snigger. He knew the culprits of course. It must be those street urchins the court freed last week ‘for want of evidence’. Can you see the problems these arrogant Magistrates and Judges are causing in the society?
The Police arrest and prosecute criminals and then Judges and Magistrates send them back to the streets. When the cookie crumbles, the Police get the blame. He remembered what one of his instructors said at the Police College. “Don’t expect any applause from the public. The Police are the whipping boys of the society. You can never change that fact”.
He wished he had joined the Army instead. That was his ambition but he couldn’t scale through the rigorous interview. His father wanted him to give it another try, but the opportunity to enlist in the Police Force came up and he grabbed it. What do they say about a bird in hand being worth two in the bush? Here he was, donning his black uniform and chasing after criminals who steal pots of soup!
“Madam, be rest assured that we will get those bastards who have put all of you through this stress. Just give us two hours. Leave your addresses with that officer over there. Eliot, collect their telephone numbers as well. Eneh, you and I will carry out the investigation. We’ll send out the routine signal when we return.
Chapter 2 – Aso Villa, Nigeria: The Bell Tolls for You
“Your Excellency, the Inspector-General of Police is here to see you. He says it’s urgent Sir.”
“Send him in ADC2 and tell the Minister of Commerce to wait for me in the ante room”
“Yes Sir”
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Martins Umeh pushed his bulky frame through the door and got the Presidential hug reserved for favorites of the number one citizen of Nigeria.
“You are not looking too well this morning IGP. I hope armed robbers are not giving you sleepless nights. Sit down. Sit down. What is the problem?”
“Sir, we have a very serious problem on our hands. Last week, a woman walked into one of our stations in Lagos to complain about the theft of her pot of soup….”
“IGP, how many times have I told you to stop wasting my time with trivial issues? This is incredulous IG. The country is grappling with many serious issues and you have time to personally investigate the theft of a pot of soup?
“If you’ll permit me to complete the briefing Sir, what we are facing can plunge this country into chaos and bring down your Government”.
President William Akinluyi’s head jerked up. He’d known the IGP for more than twenty years. He decided to appoint him to the position despite the opposition of some party chieftains because he had studied the man and known him to be fiercely loyal to him. If he says his Government is at risk, then he had better listen to this funny tale. He beckoned on the IGP to continue.
“Sir, as I said earlier, it was our station at Oworonsoki, Lagos in the South Western part of the country that first received the report of a missing pot of soup. Twenty minutes later, more than forty reports were received from other stations across Lagos. Well Sir, we thought this could only be the handiwork of street boys, so we arrested some of them but they all denied entering the affected houses. The victims also confirmed that their homes were not broken into when the incidents occurred.
Just to be sure, we kept them behind bars to watch further developments. Sir, as at 1600 hours of yesterday, more than eight States forwarded similar reports to my office. I took the liberty Sir, of contacting the Director-General of the State Department. He is as baffled as I am Sir. We were able to prevail on media executives not to publish the story in order not to cause panic, Sir.”
The President shifted in his seat. He felt drained of strength to fight a battle he knew was completely outside the physical realm, where tanks and guns would have done the magic. “This is very interesting. Can you imagine the length my detractors would go to pull down my Government? Last year, they peddled rumor that people disappeared after answering telephone calls just to rubbish my achievement in the communication sector. I wonder what they will think of next. The people of Nigeria have given me a mandate to lead them for four years. None of their tricks can remove me from this seat”.
He pressed a knob on his table to summon his ADC.
“Get me the party Chairman, the Director-General, State Department, the Chief of Army Staff and the National Security Adviser. I want them in my office immediately. Tell the Minister of Commerce to see me tomorrow, same time.”
The IGP’s telephone buzzed and he excused himself to take the call.
“Yes the IGP with you. Ah, DIG, thanks for calling. I tried your line earlier but the network was busy as usual. (This attracted laughter from both ends). Yes, I’ve just briefed His Excellency. It has spread to other States? How many? Twenty-five? O God, I’ll like to get my hands on whoever is causing me such stress. No, I’m not likely to be in the office soon. I’ll call you as soon as I’m through with His Excellency”
The IGP turned to the President.
“Sir, that was Deputy Inspector- General of Police (DIG), Kufre Anyim. He said the scourge has spread to twenty-five States”.
As the President was about to make a comment, the ADC entered with the National Security Officer (NSA), Bala Ilyia and Director- General, State Department, David Longe.
The NSA spoke first.
“Sir, the Director-General and I were actually on our way here when we got your summons.
The ADC came in again with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in tow.
“Sir, the party Chairman is on his way. He was at the International Conference Center when I got him on phone.”
“Thank you ADC”.
When the ADC left, the President turned to the gathering with a mien that was alien to his character.
“Gentlemen, I sent for you because I know that at least one of you must have a solution to the madness that is threatening to tear this country apart. The IGP came here this morning with a tale that I initially thought was ridiculous. I believe the Chief of Army Staff is the only person that is still breathing properly in this small group because he doesn’t know what we know. Chief of Army Staff, the IGP says some unidentified persons are stealing food from homes across the country. So far, twenty-five States have been affected.
The security agencies have been able to prevail on media executives to keep a lid on the story. Knowing the media as I do, I doubt if that will hold them off for long. The next thing you know, CNN will be blasting the story across the world”.
The COAS was not amused and he certainly detested the fact that the IGP did not inform him about the situation before briefing the President.
“Sir, may I ask when this matter came to light?”
The IGP squirmed in his seat. He knew that the COAS would naturally blame him for keeping the information from him. Everyone in the room knew that there was no love lost between General Dickson Okwuechie and himself. He had to attempt some explanation because they needed a common front against whatever it was they were confronting.
“Chief of Army Staff Sir, when I got this report three days ago, I thought it was something I could handle along with the Director-General State Department. You will agree with me Sir, that the theft of food is ordinarily not a national security issue. Do forgive us for not alerting you on this sooner than this.
The President raised his hands. “Whatever we have to do should be done fast. I believe we don’t have much time”.
Just then, the ADC ushered the National Chairman of the ruling Social Reformation Party (SRP), Ulehi Bisong into the room.
The President turned to him and said, “Ah, there you are Bisong. We have a serious problem on our hands. We need your wisdom to tackle it. Some Nigerians in about twenty-five States have complained of the theft of their food. The security agencies are baffled because none of the houses was broken into. No one has been caught so far, although some street urchins are being detained.”
The President’s hotline buzzed and he picked up the phone.
“Excuse me. It’s the Governor of Jigawa State, Abdullahi Mohammed. Let’s hope he has cheery news. Hello, the President with you Abdullahi. What! That’s not possible. Are you sure? O my God! Please call me back in twenty minutes. Okay. Bye.”
The President turned to the gathering with a deep sigh.
“Gentlemen, the stake has gone up. Abdullahi said he had a nasty experience today. He said he didn’t know why I was the first person he had to call because he felt so embarrassed when the incident occurred. He said he decided to take his breakfast alone today because he needed the solitude. As he picked up his cutlery to eat, the food on his plate disappeared before his very eyes!”
Everyone in the office shouted “What!”
The President continued with his speech. “You can see why we must act fast. I have a feeling that my detractors are behind this drama.” He turned to the Director General State Department. “You have dossiers on these people. Let us have them by 1400 hours. Maybe we can fish out those among them that could have this kind of mystical powers. I believe we are dealing with supernatural powers here. We’ll take a break and convene by 1400 hours. That should give all of us enough time to put on our thinking caps. See you later gentlemen.”
As they filed past, the President looked at each of them with pity. He knew that all of them would by now be worrying about losing their jobs. Of course, everyone was aware that his policy was, “if you can’t deliver, get out of my cabinet”. Come to think of it, how is he sure he would survive the unfolding saga himself? He looked at his designer table and other paraphernalia of office.
He wished with all his heart that he had accepted his father’s advise not to run for a second term. He wished the old man was here to give him moral support. His father was the only person he respected because the old man feared no man. His advice was always from a sincere heart. Politicians on the other hand always think of themselves first. That’s why he has little or no respect for most of them. He looked out of the window but could not see the beauty of the grounds today. He wiped a drop of tear from his eyes and smiled. Of course, Nigerians would have been shocked to see this other side of him because most of them think he is a hard man. How wrong can they be, he mused. Leadership has never been an easy task because almost everyone is suspicious of your every move, particularly the hangers-on.
“I have sworn to defend this nation and uphold the integrity of the Constitution. I will not be deterred by evil forces”.
His hotline buzzed. It was the Director General, State Department. He asked if the President saw the breaking news on Cable News Network (CNN).
“Hello. No. You know I keep my television off except for local network news. I can’t abide the lies foreign journalists peddle in the name of entertaining and educating the people. What? I said it! Nigerian journalists are mercenaries. None of them is patriotic. How could someone pass such information to the CNN at this time? I should do what? You think that’s advisable? I’ll confer with the NSA. We might have to postpone our meeting this afternoon.”
The President replaced the phone and switched on the television with trepidation. Trust the Americans for their sensational reportage on anything negative that has to do with Africa. Nothing positive from the continent is ever aired on the CNN.
As he searched for the channels, he remembered the times he thought of sending a bill to the National Assembly to ban or restrict CNN coverage in the country. That would have been futile he knew, but he hasn’t stopped thinking about it. Those Americans can be a serious pain in the neck! He eventually located the channel, but they were showing previews of some films. Has he not said it, these people love to run away from reality that’s why they spend their resources producing all sorts of weird films.
To think that some film producers in Nigeria had the audacity to accuse his administration of neglecting the industry! How can film production be an industry? Industry my foot! His father would turn in his grave if he ever committed such a sacrilege. As far as he is concerned, entertainment business is for school dropouts and the lazy ones in the society. His wife doesn’t agree with him though. Who cares about her opinion? If he had listened to her, he wouldn’t have come this far politically. And now those sons of the devil want to plunge the country into chaos with their black magic or whatever. He will fight them power for power!
He was jolted out of his thoughts by the CNN news signal tone. The newscaster said something about the up-coming American Presidential election. That’s their headache, he thought. Then the newscaster said, “Something mysterious is happening in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. This afternoon, our correspondent in that country reported that Nigerians in about thirty of its thirty-six States are hysterical following unexplained disappearance of food from their homes.
The administration of President Akinluyi is grappling with the disaster which has defied human comprehension. It is being rumored that the strange occurrence resulted from the activities of spiritualists, in aid of money- making ventures. Such stories are not strange to Nigerians, as several corpses were discovered in the recent past in some States, with vital organs missing. We will bring you more on this breaking news as events unfold”.
The President picked up his phone and dialed the number of the NSA. “Iliya, see me immediately”. He went back to the window. This time, tears were flowing freely. He made no attempt to wipe them off. His father must have foreseen something like this. How else can one explain the old man’s plea even on his sick bed that he should return to his aviation business and not run for second term? “O God, why didn’t I listen to him?” He lamented.
He was still in that state when the ADC ushered in the NSA.
“Iliya, I’m at my wit’s end. The Americans are having a field day as usual. The Director General of the State Department suggested that I should address the nation immediately. What will I tell them, Iliya?”
“Sir, I agree with the Director General. The people want to be assured that someone is still in control. Don’t forget the military, Sir. We may have the support of the leadership for now. If the situation deteriorates, they might change camp.”
“Okay Iliya, get in touch with the Minister of Information. Let him arrange for a nationwide broadcast. I give him twenty minutes to do that. Time is not on our side.”
At the State House Press Center, John Ilohim, the Assistant Information Officer removed the carton containing the miniature microphone and other gadgets meant for the Presidential broadcast, his eyes on the wall clock mounted close to the door. It was 0920 hours. He knew he must get everything in place before the big man arrived. He recalled the embarrassment meted to him by his boss, Shehu Dansala during the last Independence Day anniversary when the microphone malfunctioned minutes before the President arrived. Dansala had called him unprintable names, threatening to sack him on the spot if the gadget wasn’t activated for the broadcast. He barely sorted out the problem when the President climbed the podium. As he squatted to plug the adapter, Dansala rushed in, breathless.
“Ah, there you are Ilohim. Check all the gadgets thoroughly. I hear the big man is in a foul mood. You know how costly it can be to get in his way.”
“Okay Sir. I was just thinking that perhaps we could get the security operatives to screen the gadgets before we mount them to save time.”
“I will speak with their boss. Just be sure that everything is ready. I was told the President would be here by 1055 hours to make the broadcast by 1100 hours.
Ilohim watched his boss go with bitterness in his heart. Talk of injustice and you wouldn’t have far to go to find it. He had been heading the media section in the Villa on acting capacity for six months before Dansala was brought in from the Kano unit and appointed the substantive head. Dansala got the position despite the fact that he could only boast of a first degree in Mass Communication, while he, Ilohim has Masters in Electronic Engineering. He had intended petitioning the Minister of Information, Engr Sunday Bembe, but his wife dissuaded him. He shrugged his shoulder. What else is there to do in a country where only right connections get you to the top, other than resign yourself to fate?
“Mr. Ilohim, Mr. Ilohim, hurry up O! I hear the President is on his way.”
It was the voice of Keji Otuola, his assistant. The broadcast must be vitally important for the President to breach time protocol. He looked at the clock again and it was now 0940 hours. He was about to mutter something when Dansala entered, flustered.
“The President is taking the broadcast by 1020 hours. I can’t understand the rush. Please get these things down. I have spoken with the head of the security unit. He said they would screen them immediately.
“Give me two minutes Sir. I will get everything down”.
The technical team had barely assembled the gadgets when the President and his aides arrived. After the National Anthem, the President went straight to his speech.
“Fellow Nigerians, I thank you once again for giving me the opportunity to serve you. I consider it a great honor to preside over the affairs of a nation of more than 140 million people. I have sworn to an oath to represent you faithfully and to protect the territorial integrity of this great country.
Fellow countrymen, I believe you all know the reason for this broadcast. We are today, being tested as a people. What we need is the resolve to fight the forces that have been unleashed from hell to destroy our nation. We are not completely helpless. Even as I speak to you, our security agencies are on the trail of the cowards who believe they can capture power through foul means. We are not ignorant of their devices. I want you to be rest assured that they will be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.
I appeal to you dear comrades, not to take the law into your hands. By the grace of God, we will overcome all forces of darkness. God bless Nigeria”.
As the President stepped out of the glare of the cameras, he caught the look on the face of the Minister of Information, Otung Nnamani. What a cheek! The man couldn’t hide his distaste for the lies he had just told Nigerians. He wondered why he re-appointed Nnamani in the first place. Although his brand of Christianity could be unsettling, his administration needed somebody the media trusted to handle the Information Ministry. Nnamani’s credentials and his doggedness stood tall above those of five other nominees for the post. He, the President almost changed his mind about the nominee when he was told that he was a Christian fundamentalist, but common sense prevailed.
It wasn’t as if he, President Akinluyi was not a good Christian too. He just wasn’t the sentimental type whose stock in trade is parading their religious hype in the name of ‘walking in the Spirit”. What did the Minister expect him to tell Nigerians? That he had lost control of the situation? Let him turn his Pentecostal nose at me. I will handle this situation my own way. He can wait when he’s President to tell his version of truth at a time like this. He turned to the NSA. “Iliya, what do we do now”
“Sir, while you were making the broadcast, the IG called on phone. He says he must see you immediately”
‘What can be worse than what we’ve seen already? Call him and tell him to see me at the Guest House. We won’t have any privacy at Government House now. Iliya, I ask again. What do we do now? You are my Security Adviser. What is the likely scenario if this thing is not checked?”
“Sir, my fear is that the rumour of the involvement of spiritualists could ignite violence soon. We may have to deploy soldiers. I am also thinking Sir that we may have to consider declaring a state of emergency if the situation gets out of hand. Sir, I would advise that you get in touch with the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to prepare their people for this.”
“I agree with you Iliya. The Senate President called me before I made the broadcast. I couldn’t speak with him because I didn’t know what to tell him. I guess I have to hear what the IGP has to say before I see the House leaders.
Just then, the IGP arrived with the DIG Operations, Kufre Anyim. The President was surprised to see the DIG because the IGP wasn’t in the habit of visiting the Villa with his subordinates.
“IGP, I hope you have brought us glad tidings”.
“On the contrary Sir, the situation has deteriorated considerably. I came with the DIG because I didn’t want to waste more time listening to details of his briefing before coming to see you. I thought we’ll save more time if he can brief all of us here at once”
He beckoned on the DIG to start his briefing
“Your Excellency….”
The President cut in “Skip the ceremony DIG. Give us the brief”.
“Okay Sir. This afternoon, we got a distress call from the Legislative Quarters, Apo. On getting there, my men met some people, specifically the wife and three children of one of the Senators frightened out of their wits. They said they were preparing to say prayers before eating their lunch when their food vanished from the table. They didn’t know what to do so they called the Police. The Senator is out of the country.
As my men were contemplating what to do, they heard screams from other houses in the Quarters. The story was the same. About eighteen houses in the estate were affected, Sir. They called me from Apo and I told them to report back to the office since they couldn’t really help those families. Before they got to the office, we got reports of similar occurrences in fifteen States.
The pattern of this strange visitation is not clearly discernible Sir. No class of Nigerians is exempted. There is no religious distinction. Nothing. It is baffling Sir.”
“Iliya, I think it’s time to involve religious leaders in this thing. I will speak with the Special Adviser on Religious Matters, Kelly Jang. We need to get in touch with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Jedda and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Oscar Lambe. We may have to convene a Council of State meeting tomorrow. Iliya, you and the party Chairman will arrange this. 0800 hours will be okay if you are able to contact all members today. I think we should all go home and rest if God will give us sleep at a time like this.”