Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 10
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 silly 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
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