By Charles Igbo
Ogazimora Igbonekwu, a veteran Journalist and former Media Aide to former two-time Enugu State Governor, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, is giving thanks to God for miraculously escaping a near-death incident.
And in doing that, he is warning people to be careful, don’t stay out late and, as much as possible, avoid security check points, especially, those mounted by Soldiers.
Not that he was out late.
He had his experience at about 8.37pm, at the Park Avenue, Enugu, on his way home.
In a gripping, heart- thumping narration titled Please Beware, Igbonekwu, who was also a former Commissioner for Information said a young soldier of about 24 years old, almost ended his eventful life.
His offence?
As he drove home, he made the mistake of driving to a barricade mounted by Soldiers at the gate of the Directorate of Security Services, DSS, headquaters, Enugu. As he did that, a young soldier, who he says is below 25 years, accosted him in a very rough manner, and was ready to blow off his head, but for the grace of God, and well, the intervention of his superior.
He didn’t know, like many others, that at that time of the night, that road remains closed.
But following is Igbonkwu’s story as posted on his Facebook page.
“A young, lanky soldier, apparently below 25, almost killed me about 8.37pm at Park Avenue, GRA, Enugu.
“My offence was that i drove up to their barricade at the DSS State Headquarters, along Park Aveneue, and immediately I saw soldiers standing, civil men and women kneeling on the tarmac – likely earlier victims – i stopped and contemplated my further moves.
“He ran up to me and started raining abuses. I was surprised. I calmly asked him whether i should turn back. That now enraged him more. I quickly switched to silence, which now enraged him more.
‘You no dey talk, banza,’ he shouted.
“Gun corked, as he called another soldier, likely superior, and demanded, ‘make i waste this banza.’
“The noise made as the gun was being corked? Nerve shattering.
“Likely it had not been serviced for sometime. But i did not need to be told it was, nevertheless, lethal.
“Even it was not, it was not for me to ask or test the youthful enraged soldier.
“The superior came, looked me over and scolded me for trying to use the road.
‘Idiot, you never hear say we dey close this road by 8pm? Turn and find another road,’ he cursed, imperiously.
“He turned on his heels, and as I made to reverse, the younger chap who had strode off ran up again, and tried to yank my door open.
“He couldn’t contain his rage when he discovered that the doors were locked.
His hands were flaring. I was surprised, and quickly wound down.
‘Come down, idiot.’ He yelled.
I complied on the instant.
He peered into my car and snorted, ‘idiot, because you dey drive jeep na him go make you come here this time.’
“I said i was sorry. Perhaps, it escaped me that i had almost successfully managed them with silence.
‘If you talk that sorry again i go just waste you here and nothing go happen,’ he said with every severity he could muster.
“I reverted to my silence strategy.
“Soon, he noticed that other vehicles behind me were quickly reversing and heading back.
“He chased one yellow bus with so much force and fury that i concluded he must be on some substance.
“Any way, that presented me an opportunity to slip into my car and slip away.
“I have no doubt that what fires him is likely more of hate than duty, because i was completely compliant to his orders and unreasonable reasonings, so there was no reason for his rage.
“I spoke to SOMEBODY shortly afterwards and he said: “…please, in the coming days, find a way to keep clear of those boys.
“Their briefing is an indoctrination of hatred by those who believe that the Igbo played a major role in profiling the Fulani and the relentless protestations leading to herder discomfiture so far. Don’t even rule out vengeance. So, keep clear of them for now…”
“Another SOMEBODY said, “let us all work hard to outlive this junta.”
I hung up.”
The Nigerian Army has just started its yearly show of power all over the country.
That of the South-east is termed operation Golden Dawn.
It’s meant, the Army said, to take care of violent crimes in the weeks leading to the Yuletide and New Year.
