KiKi's LAIR

He was gone for about ten minutes during which we contemplated coming down from the vehicle and running, but to where? It was about 12:30 am, and civilization was nowhere near, who could arrive at camp by. So we sat still and prayed earnestly in our hearts that he had only just gone to answer nature's call.  When he showed up, we apprehensively looked to see if there was anyone following him. Fortunately, he was alone. He entered the driver's seat, muttered what seemed like an apology and we continued the journey. The sigh of relief was audible even as we kept wondering how much longer the journey would take us.  About thirty minutes later, we saw lights coming from a direction and as we approached it, we saw army barricades and then a checkpoint. The soldiers were somewhat hostile as they flagged us down as we drew closer. I wouldn't blame them anyway, who could arrive at camp by 2 am in the morning. Finally, we saw the camp gate. Joy like a river in my soul!  The soldiers

We had begun the journey about six hours earlier and the bus broke down somewhere at Nsukka, Enugu. It was almost 10 pm and everywhere was quiet. Just a few shops were open in what looked like a minipark and we hurried to go see what we could buy to snack on for the long night ahead. About 30 minutes later, we were on the move again and I went back to sleep. At about 1: 00 am, Stephen tapped me to consciousness. The bus had broken down again. This time we were heading towards Kogi. Everywhere still smelt the same, of sweat and so many other things I couldn’t even comprehend. It was suffocating. I had earlier engaged in an argument with one of the 'attachees' (people who paid to stand on the aisle because they couldn’t afford a sit) who insisted on sitting on the arm of my chair and leaning unto me. "Oga, you dey rest on my body nah" He responded in his native tongue and I immediately knew arguing with him was pointless as he could not even understand what I was sayin