I want to let you know the hell I’ve been passing through in the hands of my stepmother. I’ve never been treated like a real human being and my stepmother has never for once shown me any love. I’ve been keeping this away from you and enduring the pain for so long.
Prologue
War and insecurity have become a norm today, especially in developing African countries. The radicalization of almajiri children and the threat posed by violent extremists, manifests from criminal activities such as banditry, kidnapping, arson and looting to communal clashes, terrorism and full-blown civil wars. Here is the story of how an innocent girl was crushed by life’s adversities.
Chapter One: The Death of Audu’s Wife
There was an incident of indiscriminate violence by the dreaded Boko-Haram group that claimed the lives of several innocent travellers, including Mr. Audu’s wife.
I was steamed up about the unfortunate incident and I decided to organise a peaceful protest. We all gathered at the central park and from there, made steady progress to the state House of the Assembly complex chanting solidarity songs. Many aggrieved citizens carried placards with demands written on them. Immediately we got to the complex, I stood up in front with a megaphone in my hand. It was a very hot day and I was sweating profusely.
They are raging We'll fight... We'll kill... We won't stop, The bloodshed and destruction! Our souls and bodies crushed They're killing our future They're burning our houses They're looting our stores Can someone stop this madness? Before our kingdom falls apart. They're furious We'll fight... We'll kill... We won't stop, The bloodbath and destruction! Bandits are relentless in their ire Moving like a furious storm Attacking with vengeance and hatred Our children are crying, suffering Our women are living in sorrow Can someone stop this madness? Before our kingdom falls apart. They are threatening We'll fight... We'll kill... We won't stop, The slaughter and destruction! Which day will human beings stop war? When will conspiracy become history? Conspiracy at home, conspiracy abroad See conspiracy everywhere? Hum! Without brotherhood love Tribalism is sure to ruffle some feathers. In our society; When a man does wrong, No critic is so apt to hiss or blast him. I hope we all resolve to turn over a new leaf! Before our kingdom falls apart.
When we asked the gateman whereabout the leader of the house, he quickly ran inside the complex. The Honourable Speaker soon came out with two giant bodyguards in black mafia suits marching behind him to address us. He took the megaphone from me and addressed us for about forty minutes, assuring us that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
“It is my strong belief that the funeral fowl cannot be eaten and forgotten. Those miscreants responsible for the death of the innocent travellers will never escape the judgement of God, even if they escape the judgement of this world.”
He sympathised and empathised with us, encouraging us to always report any suspicious movements to the nearest police station. Such a leader is rare and I later appreciated the Honourable Speaker for sparing his time to address us. We left the premises of the legislative complex full of hope.
Chapter Two: Mr. Audu Remarries
Before Mr. Audu’s wife’s demise, God had already blessed their marriage with three beautiful daughters. Binta was the last child of her parents and her two elder sisters had been married off before the untimely death of their mother.
Mr. Audu had been struggling with loneliness since the loss of his companion. He needed someone that would not only take care of him but would take care of his daughter. Binta was too young to cook and take care of the house. Since it is not good for a man to live without a woman, Mr. Audu decided to remarry.
“My new wife will take care of me and my little daughter. I want someone to fill the gap that her mother left behind,” he thought to himself. After careful and thorough searching, Mr. Audu finally found and married a woman after his heart. When his new wife finally moved in, Mr. Audu was relieved.
“Now, a new life has begun.” He thought to himself.
Living with a stepmother could have been a positive turning point for a young girl like Binta who didn’t have a mother. But her stepmother made life difficult for her and treated her badly, especially whenever her dad was not around.
“If you don’t wash those clothes, no food for you!” Her stepmother would wag her forefinger and scold.
Binta couldn’t understand her stepmother’s attitude. Her stepmother’s acrimony manifested itself in shouting and stomping, and this always reminded her of how her mother had been murdered.
One day, she walked up to her stepmother and politely asked, “Mum, I want to ask you a question.”
“Okay, ask! I’m listening.”
“Mum, is there anything you don’t like about me? I want to know, so I can
change.”
The woman got up from her chair and slapped her.
“How dare you talk to me like that? You must be stupid! You lack
home training!”
Binta ran to the door, crying.
“Mum. You hate me. I don’t know why you hate me so much!”
“So you have the guts to accuse me, abi? If you like run away, you’re coming back to meet
me here. Mtcheew!”
Binta stayed outdoors until her father came back from work.
Chapter Three: Binta in Her Uncle’s House
Binta understood that no creature could live in the same hole with a crab in peace. One day, she decided to relocate to her uncle’s house which was a five-minute drive away from her house.
“I can no longer stay and live where the thunder rumbles everyday.”
On the very day she made up her mind to run away from home, her father and step-mother were away at a ceremony. She packed her clothes and books into a Ghana-Must-Go bag.
Before she left, she wrote her father a letter:
Dear Dad, I welcome you and your wife back home. I hope you had a good outing. I know you will feel badly surprised with the contents of this letter. I want to let you know the hell I've been passing through in the hands of my stepmother. I've never been treated like a real human being and my stepmother has never for once shown me any love. I've been keeping this away from you and enduring the pain for so long. Dad, I know my decision will hurt you badly but don't worry about my whereabouts. I've left for Uncle Ganiyu’s house and I don't think I will come back home soon. Dad, I love you so much! Your loving daughter, Binta.
She folded the letter and placed it on the dining table, where it could easily be seen. She went outside with her bag, mounted a commercial motorcycle and left.
On getting to her uncle’s house, she paid the motorcycle rider.
She knocked at the wooden door entrance.
“Who is that? Do you want to break my door?”
“Uncle, it’s me.”
Her uncle opened the door. When he noticed her travelling bag, he became suspicious.
“Binta, what happened? You should have called me before coming here.”
“I’m sorry, Uncle, but it’s a long story. I did that so you wouldn’t call my dad.”
“Come in. Let me find something for you to eat.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
After she had finished eating, her uncle sat down beside her.
“Binta, why did you pack out of your father’s house?”
“Uncle,” she replied. “Ever since my dad married her, my stepmother has been maltreating me.”
“What?! So, you’ve been undergoing this without telling anyone, including your dad? That’s serious!”
“Uncle, I kept this to myself because I want to protect my dad’s marriage.”
“Protect your dad’s marriage even to your own peril? Hmm! That’s not good enough. Your welfare is fundamental. Let me call your dad. I know he must have been so worried by now.”
Meanwhile, Binta’s dad and her stepmother had arrived their home and found it silent as a graveyard.
“Binta! Where are you?”
They searched everywhere until her father found Binta’s letter on the dining table. Mr. Audu unfolded the letter and read the content.
“What?!”
He called to his wife. “Dear, please come over here and read the contents of this letter. Tell me that what Binta wrote in this letter is not true. How could you have done this to my innocent girl?”
“Please, let me explain.”
His wife knelt and started pleading.
“Explain what?” Mr. Audu replied angrily. “Why must you frustrate my daughter? Don’t
you know she can think otherwise and kill herself?”
Just then, Mr. Audu’s phone rang.
“Oh, it’s my brother calling.” He quickly picked up the call.
“Assalamu alaikum! How is your family, Ganiyu?”
“Brother, everyone is fine o. I just want to inform you that Binta is here with me right now. She came to my house this morning, so you have nothing to worry about. She is here.”
“Yes, you’re right,” Mr. Audu replied. “She dropped a letter before she left for your house. I just finished reading the letter when you called.”
Mr. Ganiyu quickly suggested, “Brother, can we meet tomorrow? We have a serious discussion about your daughter.”
“Okay, I will come to your place tomorrow evening. Goodbye!”
Chapter Four: Binta in Boarding School
Mr. Audu prepared to leave for his brother’s house.
He had been in a foul mood since the day before.
After Mr. Audu ended the call with his brother, he had walked out on his kneeling wife. He dressed up in a native attire, picked up his car key and left. It was several hours before he returned. Her entreaties fell on deaf ears.
When Binta heard her dad’s voice, she ran out in excitement and hugged her father.
“Dad, I’ve missed you!”
Her father was also happy to see her. “I’ve missed you too, my daughter!”
Binta chatted with her dad for about five minutes before her uncle asked her to excuse them for a while.
Mr. Audu and his brother had a serious and long conversation. They finally resolved to get Binta admitted into a standard boarding school.
“Ganiyu, there is something I want you to do for me. I want Binta to stay with you here pending the time her admission process is concluded.”
“There is no problem with that, Brother. I think that is the best decision.”
Within a couple of weeks, Mr. Audu had completed Binta’s registration at a new school. The school was regarded as one of the best in the state, with adequate security and state of the art boarding facilities. Before he dropped Binta off at school, she gave him a poem she had written for him. It was a poem of hope.
When? An unspecified time In the future. I'm convinced that one day, You'll indeed smile again! They'll see, Rain will wash away all your tears. One day of hope, At sometime... One day, it'll happen And you'll have your day. Among the chaos, Remember the person who finds Sanctuary in peace and stillness. The sick cat's days Will soon be over! Sooner or later Your joy shall abound in tears! One day of freedom, Captive chains Will break, And captive hours Shall be forgotten! The forecaster says; There's a bar on your way. Lo! One day, You'll break the seal. The zeal in you, Is more powerful than your challenges. Troubled hearts, Bewildered look. Get rid of them Before sunset. Just a smile, And cheerfulness seems better, Healthier than depression. Keep sharing Dreams and laughter Until you discover What you've been searching for. One day! Say it loudly! As you beat your chest; "I'm not just going to make it, I'm going to make it big." Only time will tell, When the sun will rise! Above all you will, one day, Be happy again! I promise. Never give up the fight!
Epilogue
Last night, I heard on the news that a group of unknown gunmen stormed a female boarding school in the dark hours of night and kidnapped all the students. I saw a familiar name in the report released by the school authorities. Binta Audu. She was only fourteen years old. Mr. Audu was my father’s friend and I knew the family. I wept bitterly at the news. Twice now, their family has been affected by insecurity. Haba!
- Butterfly Upon a Wheel || Michael Omojokun - February 12, 2022
This story is very interesting. I hope this story will change the narrative in our society that has been characterized by violent extremism. I also encourage the academic body to adopt this story as a soft approach to countering terrorism and hate speech in our society.
I appreciate 🙏
An interesting story,keep it up
Thanks a ton!
Very interesting, keep the good work.
Thanks for your encouragement always sir. You have been so fantastic over the years.
Oh my my……. This is awesome
The message was well passed
I hope this story will stir a spark in the driving force against terrorism and hate speech in our society….
Thanks for your amazing comment. I really appreciate this. It is our hope that this story will change the narrative in Africa.
Instersting and captivating!
The insecurities in the country has wiped out a lot of families, I love the way it relate to the present situation in our country and truly there’s still hope for us .
Nigeria will rise again.
Weldone sir!
Thank you for your comment. We hope this story will change the narrative in our dear nation.🙏
Hmm! What an interesting and intriguing story by our very own Michael. T.
Anyway, this will go on a long way in citing way out and soft approach to combat incessant terrorism and insecurities that has rooted deeply into our dear country if the story is given courteous attention by the readers.
Thank you so much 🙏
It’s a great book
Thanks so much! I appreciate your comment.