MY ABDUCTORS

 In the Hands of Ritualists:  Mrs Laraba drove for hours through the heavy Lagos traffic, till we got to a village in Topo, Bad­agry. She told me she wanted to see a business associate there who owed her some money, since there was enough time to get into the Republic of Benin. I said I was okay with her plans. She gave me some snacks to eat and a bottle of coke. I took them and slept off.

When I woke up, I found myself in a bush, bound hand and feet in a shrine where incanta­tions in a language I did not understand were be­ing chanted by a man of about sixty years of age. Around his waist was a red wrapper. Looking around I saw two other men starring at me, and some very frightening african carvings placed in the shrine. I was now beginning to regain con­sciousness. I had been drugged with the coke she gave me to drink and brought to this place.

The period I lived under Lagos bridge for two years, I had heard about ritual killings in shrines. Seeing all these scary carvings, it dawned on me that I had been abducted by Mrs Laraba. She had lured me out of the house for this reason. “Oh my God, please help me. deliver me from these wicked people.” I remained lying on the floor, not yet fully conscious. The effect of whatever Mrs Laraba gave me to drink was not yet over. Fortunately, I was conscious enough to hear them talking and I followed their conversa­tions silently.

 Mrs Laraba whispered to the baba in the shrine. She told him that I was still unconscious and wondered what would happen if I did not gain consciousness before the ritual due to take place at midnight. It was now about nine p.m. I did not know I had slept for that long. It was through their discussion I learnt that I had been unconscious from the moment I drank the bottle of coca-cola. They thought I was dead but for the slow beating of my heart. Baba told her to be patient, that if I failed to wake up that they could carry me and my belongings and throw me on the road side. That it I would be of no use for the sacrifice.

They were not aware that I heard their conver­sation. While Aunty Laraba was worried about my being unconscious I persisted in prayer. I closed my eyes and prayed earnestly to God and asked the Blessed Virgin Mary to help me. I pleaded with my departed mother to protect me. I invoked the protection of my guardian angel. I could not stop praying.

The hut was dark and the noise from the forest was so intense. I did not know where I was, all I knew was that there were about three men there, including Aunty Laraba. At about 11.45p.m. Baba came to where I lay with ropes tied on both hands and feet, he looked at me and he murmured to himself, “This child is not destined to be used for rituals. She is not alone, there are guiding spirits around her.” Why would Mrs Labara go for a poor crea­ture?

She did not know the implications of what  she was doing? Her actions would anger the gods for there were creatures not meant for sacrifices of this nature. I would ask her to take her back to where she could abandon her even if she was unconscious. This sign alone of her not regain­ing consciousness showed that a creature like her was not for the gods. Her guiding spirits were with her.’’

He went back to Mrs Laraba and asked her how and where she got me from. She told him I was an orphan and an adopted child of her best friend Agatha. She could not understand why her friend would shower so much love on a hope­less orphan that she picked from under the Lagos bridge. The most annoying thing to her was Aga­tha’s decision to will her entire property to this child whose blood line she didn’t even know.

She told the Baba how she had deceived me into making this trip with her. Mrs Laraba ad­mitted that she had nurtured this plan for some time now and was only looking for the right time which came when her friend Agatha made the business trip to Cotonou. Mrs Laraba, in the course of her waiting for an opportunity, gained Nkem’s trust so it was not difficult to persuade her to travel with her to meet her new mother. She wondered why her friend would care so much for a complete stranger, when she had chil­dren that had a future ahead of them.

I was shocked at what I had just heard. I tried not to make any sound, for I felt like weeping.

ABDUCTION FOR RITUAL

Abducted for Rituals and Prostitution 

Mother’s most trusted friend, Mrs Laraba, was a very rich and sophisticated lady. She was loved by all of us because she was very pretty, young, charming. Each time she travelled out of the country she would buy us gifts and she knew that we liked that. As a re­sult I took a very affectionate likening for her and trusted her.  Aunty Agatha always spoke highly of her. To her she was the sister she never had. She visited her often and they shared many secrets. Aunty Agatha did not hide anything from her because she felt she could trust her, since they had been friends for long. Sometimes people mistook them for twin sisters.

One time, Aunty Agatha had to go on a busi­ness trip for a week to the Republic of Benin. She made such trips once in a while. Mrs Laraba knew all Aunty Agatha’s itinerary and she was aware she would be away for that week. Four days after her departure, on a Friday morning, Mrs Laraba came to the house while I was pre­paring to go the shop. She asked Betty about my whereabouts. She was told I was getting ready to go to work. She entered my bedroom without knocking, and even though I felt uncomfortable about that I decided not to be rude.

I greeted her and told her I was about leaving for the shop. She told me Aunty Agatha had called her the previ­ous evening to say she was going to arrive in two days time. She wanted me to see another coun­try so she asked Mrs Laraba to bring me along as she was going there too. I would then travel back with Aunty Agatha to Lagos.

I was excited about the trip and innocently asked her what I would need for the journey. I had a strange feeling within me, as Aunty Agatha would usually call to inform me about such trips but on a second thought I thought to myself that my new mother was a woman of many good sur­prises and this could be one of them.

Mrs Laraba said I should take a few things and since I would soon be with Aunty Agatha, what­ever extra clothing I needed would be provided for by her. She sat on my bed and asked me to hurry up, we had a long journey to make. I wore my rosary on my neck and took a few clothing, including my mother’s wrapper. I called Betty and told her I was going with Mrs Laraba who immediately intercepted that I was not to tell Bet­ty where we were going to. It was enough that Betty knew she was going to drop me at the shop. She was not aware of my journey to Cotonou.

MY FRIENDS

 My School Friends  Among my friends, Uche rarely had visitors on Visiting Days. Her mother died while giving birth to her and she was raised by a stepmother. They lived in another region, quite far from our school so they could not come to see her often. She understood the situation and never com­plained. Uche was a very brilliant and intelligent girl. She desired to become a successful lawyer and worked hard to achieve this.

Nana was the first born in her family. She was a good mathematician and she worked hard to become a professor in mathematics. Yemi was an only child. She was very sociable and kind. She studied hard to become an engineer. We were all hard working students and none of us repeated a class. In our final year, we excelled and came out in flying colours.

Completing Secondary School

At the age of twenty I completed my secondary education. My age was not so obvious because of my small stature. On our graduation day, Aunty Agatha was all smiles for I passed with very good grades. The years had passed so fast, that here I was already out of secondary school. I had learnt a lot of things in boarding school and I was going to put them in practice. We were taught how to be respectful, hardworking and loyal citizens of our country. I had also acquired new skills in baking, dress making and playing the guitar.

After our graduation ceremony, I bade good­bye to my friends and promised to keep in touch via mobile phone.

Back Home From School

On our arrival home, Betty was excited to see me and hugged me tenderly. She had prepared my favourite meal of fried plantain with tomato sauce and fish. In my room I noticed there were a few changes. I now had a bigger bookshelf and on my reading table was a collection of books. My new mother knew I liked reading. Aunty Agatha and I talked all through the night in her bedroom after dinner. She wanted to know everything about my final term in boarding school. She was impressed by my good grades.

I rested for a week before going to assist in her shop. I was to work there till I received my ad­mission for the university. I was happy to give a helping hand in her business, as a show of grati­tude for all her love and care for me.

SCHOOL LIFE

I arrived on Saturday as school commenced on Monday. In the girls’ hostel my block was Blue House and I made a few friends among the girls who slept on the upper bunk bed and two others in same hostel. One of them was our senior and we were lucky to have the house prefect in our group. Yemi was the same age as me at 14, Nana 12 years old and Uche was 11 years old. I was glad Yemi and I were same age because it meant I wasn’t alone as the old­est in the first year of junior secondary school.

While unpacking my things, trying to get my night gown from my suitcase, I saw my mother’s wrapper neatly ironed and folded in it. I was moved with emotion when I thought of my new mother and her consideration. I knelt down and prayed for Aunty Agatha my new mother. I prayed for my family and friends everyday.

I was never bullied at school, my friends and school mother, the head girl made sure I didn’t fall into wrong hands. The matron was also there to see to my needs. Sometimes I went with my classmates to visit my teacher, my school guard­ian. I could confidently say that Aunty Agatha took great care to ensure that I did not lack any­thing while at boarding school. I did well in all me exams. I excelled in my junior secondary ex­ams and opted for science subjects in senior sec­ondary, as I still nurtured my dream of becoming a neuro-surgeon.

I was aware of the lack of good primary health care, particularly in the rural areas. The thought that the rich are often flown abroad for treatment while the poor had to make do with the poor health facilities available brought much pains to my heart. The rapid growth of miracle healing centers and their publicity to cure people who are physically, financially and spiritually sick is quite alarming. In my quiet moments, I often wondered how if things were properly done and corruption eschewed from our country, there would be no need to go looking for miracle centers.

 In our boarding school I became a member of the choir and volunteered to play the piano. Life in school was very interesting and exciting. My favourite game was basketball. Though I was not a good player I loved the sport. I always looked forward to the Visiting Days. On such occasions, Aunty Agatha would prepare a delicious meal for us to enjoy at lunch time and also pack some gifts for my friends. I would sit next to her to catch up with family gists and share many jokes.
 

BOARDING SCHOOL

Going Away to Boarding School  My entrance examination into secondary school was successful. Aunty Agatha was very happy. While waiting to go into boarding school, she made sure I would go with her to see how she managed her business. Sometimes we went to market together and other times we waited to receive her goods that were supplied to her.

 On the day before I left for boarding school, Aunty Agatha called me to her room. She placed her hand under her pillow and brought out a lovely wristwatch and gave it to me. She said she prayed that her mother and my mother would be there for me to guide me as always and that I must hold on to my faith in God. I hugged her in gratitude.

 I asked her if I could address her as mother. She laughed and said I could, if it made me hap­py. I told her it was what I had always wanted and I dreamt of the day I could have the cour­age to ask her if she would allow me address her as mother. She laughed with tears pouring down her cheeks and gave me a hug. I then made another request, which was if I could share her bed that night since I

would be going away to boarding for the next three months. She asked me to join her with open arms. I slept with my head placed on her shoulder while thanking God, and whispering to my mother in heaven a ‘thank you’ for bringing someone to me who was so kind and who treated me like her child. I slept with me arms around Aunty Agatha’s neck, my new mother.

 Early next morning, my things were packed already for my jour­ney to school. The driver was instructed to be ready at 8.00am. Aunty Agatha made sure I did not forget anything.  Betty, to whom I became like a little sister was a bit sad but happy for me that I was going to prepare well in school for my future.  I was grateful that Aunty Agatha and the driv­er accompanied me to school. My new mother wanted to ensure that I settled in well. Before re­turning home, she arranged with the matron and one of the teachers to be my guardian. We were all happy I was in good hands.

A BETER HOME

A Better and Real Home: Aunty Agatha’s home was in Apapa, a beautiful house with a small staff quar­ters. She lived all by herself. She had a maid called Beatrice and a driver named John. They were very welcoming and friendly. She presented me to them and told them that they were to treat me like her own child. Betty then took me to the room she had prepared for me.

My room was very beautiful.  Painted in pink with a lovely bed, shelves and a wardrobe. I could not imagine how she could have prepared that room in such a short time. She must have spent the whole of the previous day trying to make things comfortable for me. I remembered my mother telling me she would be with me.

My eyes clouded with tears, I could not ex­press my gratitude to Aunty Agatha in words ex­cept through the tears flowing down my cheeks. She too could not help but weep with me while she drew me closer to her and embraced me. She used her bare hands to wipe away my tears. She told me to go to the bathroom and take a proper bath. She showed me the bathroom and gave me a lovely pink towel. She said, ‘Nkem pink is for girls even when you grow up to be a beautiful young lady, pink still suits you until you are eighteen.’

She told me that within the week she would enrol me into a good school to enable me continue with my education. To her, she saw me as a brilliant young child that would grow up to be a beautiful and intelligent lady. I gave her another hug, she ushered me into the bathroom and left to give instruction to Be­atrice.

In the bathroom I took my bath in sweet running clean water from the tap with a beautiful fragrant soap. Once again I thanked God for his merciful love. ‘Dear Lord thank you for Aunty Agatha and for the new home. Please help me to be good and obedient, and  to live up to her expectations. Bless her for her kindness and generosity to me.’ I then said aloud, ‘Is it that you have given me another mother? You said you would not abandon me. True to your word I have found a mother in Aunty Agatha.’

I opened the wardrobe. I picked up an An­kara (Nigerian wrapper) three-quarter length and a simple T-Shirt. I combed my hair and I went to the sitting room. Aunty Agatha was there and with a broad smile she invited me to join her. She asked Beatrice to bring me a cup of chocolate drink and another sandwich.  Her sit­ting room was very beautiful and clean. while Beatrice was preparing lunch, she spent some time chatting with me. She asked questions about my family and what I remembered about them. I felt so safe and at home with her. She told me she had made up her mind to  contact the proprietress of a school the next day so as to see if I could be enrolled to start the following week. We would use the days before starting school to get to know each other better.

After a long conversation with Aunty Agatha, we came to a conclusion that for my education, I was to repeat primary four. Yes, at the age of twelve when I should have been in secondary school, I would be in primary four. Thank God I wasn’t too tall for my age. Though I was small in stature, it was not too bad to be with children of ages 7 and 10 in primary school. Aunty Agatha assured me that I would be fine. With love and understanding she prepared me for school.

Aunty Agatha had a restaurant and a saloon. She employed some good and hardworking young ladies and men to assist in running her business. This according to her was to help create jobs for the youth. She would often say that, ‘Our government cannot provide jobs for everyone. Therefore, those of us who own private business can contribute in creating employment in our own little way.’  Sometimes Aunty Agatha was in­vited to give talks to young people, and she was a mentor to many of them. At about two o’clock that afternoon, Beatrice announced that lunch was ready. We sat at the dining room to eat semovita and egusi soup. The food was very delicious.

My first night in my new home was very peaceful. For the first time I slept without the nightmare of my uncle trying to rape me. Be­fore then I had often seen myself running in my dreams, trying to escape from my uncle. I prayed that someday this nightmare would be over.

The next day, I woke up at 6.00am and said my prayers before getting out of bed. I made the bed, took my bath and got dressed. I was about leav­ing the room when Aunty Agatha came in to say hello. She was glad to see me looking refreshed and to know I had slept well. She gave me a hug and told me how happy she was that I accepted to leave the streets to come live with her.  Like a good mother, she had checked on me while I was sleeping at night, to find out if I was alright. She noticed I did not cry or talk in my sleep. It was a good sign feeling safe in her home.

She saw my little bible and asked me to read from it. I opened it and read a portion of the story of David and Goliath. She smiled and was glad that I could read confidently. She assured me that in going back to primary school, if I did well in my exams I could be granted a double promotion to a higher class. Starting in primary four was to as­certain my level of intelligence and comprehen­sion.

 

True to her words, I did exceedingly well in school and got promoted to primary six. I equal­ly sat for an exam into secondary school and I passed with flying colours. Aunty Agatha was very proud of me. Four years with her was like being in another world. Sometimes I asked my­self if I was dreaming. The driver was available to take me to school and bring me back. She ar­ranged for a private lesson teacher for me and equally encouraged me to learn how to play the piano. She made sure I joined the children’s choir and take part in church activities which involved children.

 

At the age of fourteen, I was enrolled into sec­ondary school. This was a bit later than usual, be­cause normally children in this part of the world would start secondary school between ten and twelve years of age. Nevertheless, I was happy to have the opportunity of going to secondary school. I never thought it possible. Due to God’s intervention through Aunty Agatha, I would be able to further my education. How many children in my situation had the good fortune to meet an angel like this one sent to them? I saw myself as a blessed child.

 I thought of my adopted brother David and I prayed he too would have the same luck that I had. My own blood brothers and sisters? I had no news from them and was beginning to forget their faces. I was not too sure if I would still rec­ognise them after quite some years of being apart.

 Maybe someday God would reunite us. I sin­cerely prayed and wished to be with them again. I was hopefully that the gene that bound us as children from the same parents would surely bring us together again some day.

Song of Trust

A DREAM COME TRUE

Aunty Agatha waited for me dressed up on the streets. She brought out a sandwich and a drink from the second bag she was carrying and gave them to me. I ate and drank the bottle of coke she gave me. Then she gave me an apple. This deli­cacy I still remembered in my later years. A child deprived of a decent meal for close to three years was now having a sumptuous breakfast. In my mind I thanked God for this blessing. While I was eating, my mind went back to my dream. Was this an assurance of my mother’s watchful eyes?

Aunty Agatha was very patient with me. I finished my meal. She then asked me to follow her. This I did without hesitation. She opened the door of her car and asked me to sit at the back seat. I did, and then she drove away. She was an angel sent to me to save me from the terrible life under the bridge of Lagos, having lost my adopt­ed brother David whom I still have no news of.

 I sincerely pray he is okay. I pray that some day we will meet and God willing we will survive and be alive to tell our stories. I did not forget my wrapper. I pleaded with Aunty Agatha to let me keep the wrapper my Mother gave me. She smiled and said that when we get to the house she would give me soap to wash and iron it. I hugged her and thanked her for her kindness. Apart from my mother I could not remember when I received or hugged some­one in appreciation for their kindness. For the two years I spent under the bridge I knew no kindness except that of my adopted big brother David