Mothers' cry (1994 - 1998) - Episode 4

 

Tayo was eager to leave office for home, the day has been hectic from him with another military bloodless palace coup. He has told his News Editor to get new Head of State, General Sani Abacha transcribed broadcast when he helped Babaginda to topple BUhari’s administration.

He wanted to compare it with his broadcast of November, 17th 1994, after he has read both national broadcasts, he concluded that the coup was another military conspiracy to deny the nation return to civil rule.

He dialed receiver on his table and asked the person at the other end to come to his office.

“MILITARY CONSPIRACY THAT PRODUCED SANI ABACHA” he wrote it on a sheet of paper and gave it to his News Editor who was about sitting on a chair across Tayo’s table.

Don’t you think this headline is too direct? Vanessa reacted.

He ignored all her entreaties from her to change the headline, he wanted to attack new Head of State.

“I have sent my article to your mail”. He assured her that military won’t come after him because they have NADECO members to deal with.

He returned from the production Unit where he checked level of readiness for next day production, he picked his suit jacket he hung on his swivel chair.

Tayo was the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Nigerian Voices, an anti-military newspaper outlet, he was approached a year ago during-up to 1993 general election by a friend that someone at the American Embassy wanted to see him . He thought it will be a normal interview by the American Ambassador to Nigeria calling on Babaginda to hand over power winner of the forthcoming election.

He was Deputy News Editor at Daily Monitor, although the newspaper has sympathy for the military government but he has not hidden his hatred for the government, his weekly column has always been against the military government, calling on them to return to barracks.

Tayo was surprised when the American Ambassador told him that his government at home wanted to float an indigenous newspaper outlet and he has been recommended by a trusted ally to front for his government

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/mothers-cry-1994-1998

. He was promised a good pay, modern equipment and a befitting office to kick off the project.

Huge amount of money was routed through the Embassy to establish the business, he co-opted his colleagues with same hatred for the Military Government to join him. They were attracted by huge emolument he promised to pay them. He has been warned by his sponsor never to disclose his bankroller to anybody because his American government will deny him. This is to preserve already strained bilateral relationship between both countries.

Nigerian Voices has gained wide readership among citizens within a year of its existence, never takes advert from the military government and its wide bias against the government is known.

He left office around 11:00pm, soldiers deployed on the road to prevent breakdown of law and order still maintain their roadblocks.

When he got home, he honked but his wife was fast asleep, he had to wait for few minutes before she rushed out to open the gate.

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. He drove in recklessly without minding if his car hit her. He roared like a lion as he was coming out of his car.

“I have seen your handiwork” he screamed.

“What have I done again” she was fidgeting.

“You are feeding your Son with bad story about his father”, he was approaching her, she ran to the entrance of the house, he pursued after her before she could the door, he gave her blow that landed on her neck. She screamed yeah! Fell on the ground. He dragged her to the car park. She struggled to escape from his grip but her power failed her, she resigned to fate of punches landing on her face. She was crying on the ground, using her hands to prevent some punches. He used his hands to cover her mouth to prevent neighbours from hearing her cry for help.

Wale, their son was banging at the door, he `wanted to come out to rescue her mother but he was unable to open the door, his hand was too short to turn the handle. He was crying bitterly.

Ireti was groaning under punches coming from Tayo’s fist, her mouth is full of blood, her face swell, he has gagged her mouth. She cannot cry out for help, her heart cried for help but her oppressor prevented her voice from been heard.

Tayo left her off his hook when she started gasping for breath, he was scared of killing her. He opened the door to enter the house, Wale ran outside to provide succor for his helpless mother. He wiped her face with the back of his tiny hand, tears running down his cheeks sympathizing with his agonized mother.