Hamza awoke, his head throbbing with pain. "Ah," he groaned, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The sensation of motion suggested he was inside a moving vehicle. Slowly, he opened his eyes, greeted by a chaotic scene. Children were crammed together, their cries and clamor enveloping him.
His gaze met a face etched with unforgettable cruelty—Aminu, standing right before him, a source of anger and agony for Hamza.
"Aminu," Hamza muttered, his voice tinged with frustration. "What are you looking at?" His defiance held steady as beads of sweat formed on his brow, refusing to yield to fear.
Aminu's anger surged, his hand poised as if to strike Hamza. But before he could unleash his fury, a voice intervened. "AMINU, Me ka yi?" (What are you doing?) The question hung in the air, and Aminu's curt response was "Nothing. Move them out then!!"
- Giwa Barracks -
Major Abdullahi, engaged in a phone call, appeared to have aged a decade as his office door swung open. "Sir! I am here to report," a soldier announced.
Major Abdullahi turned his attention to the soldier, his expression etched with concern. "What's the situation?" he inquired.
"Sir, there was an incident in Molai town," the soldier reported, the weight of the news reflected in the lines on his face. "Approximately 150 casualties and around 20 children and about 30 women have been kidnapped, sir."
Major Abdullahi swiftly issued orders, his voice resolute. "Prepare the troops," he commanded.
- OUTSIDE THE OFFICE -
Chaos enveloped the barracks as soldiers gathered, their voices gradually subsiding as Major Abdullahi emerged. They stood at attention, and he soon commanded them to stand at ease.
"As you must have heard, they have struck again. " Major Abdullahi declared grimly. "We have received the green light to rescue those children from the clutches of Boko Haram. So, get ready. Is that clear?"Within him, he knew the chances were low but he had to try.
A resounding chorus of "Yes, sir!" echoed from the soldiers as Major Abdullahi signaled for them to prepare for deployment.
The sound of marching soldiers and uplifting songs filled the air. Military vehicles and armored tanks rumbled to life as they readied for the mission to locate and rescue the abducted children.
Meanwhile, Major Ahmed convened the captains for a briefing on the impending operation.