The Activist - Season 1 - Episode 37

Episode 5 years ago

The Activist - Season 1 - Episode 37

☆☆☆☆☆


“Why?”
“I don’t know how to explain it, but a colleague of mine died and he is implicated. I am not sure if he is the person, but she sent me a text explaining some things and that one Shodipo was housing her. She did say he was in Law and that he was popular for being a campus journalist.”

Tade looked at Chuks inquisitively.

“How is he implicated?”
“Ronke said that she was saying with him that night; Saturday night that is. Then today her dead body is found and no one saw her between Saturday and today.”

“Wow.” Tade said, looking sober. “Shodipo did not come for today’s debate, it was suspicious although I thought that I may be over-reacting. Are you sure that she said that she was in his place?”

Chuks brought out the phone and opened his ‘inbox’ then showed them all the message.

“Chuks, you have to report this to the police.” Made said. Tade and Shittu looked at him like he suggested that Chuks should fight a crocodile.

“Police? Come on dude, the police will just arrest our friend here and implicate him in this case. You want Chuks to be wrapped into trouble abi?” Shittu asked him.

“Besides, its a very risky thing all together. The best they can do from it is to asked Shodipo some questions and that will not be done nicely.” Tade added.

“But if it is found that she contacted Chuks before now nko?” Made asked. “Na Police case be that, period! They will not even want to hear your complaints.”

Chuks looked at the roof like his life was about to scatter. Then he shut his eyes and thought for some seconds.

“I will go to the Police.” He finally decided
Chuks went to the station the next day and despite Tade’s initial reluctance to see the inside of a police station, he followed Chuks. Made and Shittu were absent.

On getting to the station, they met two officers, one of average build and another that was tall but slim. Both were looking bored and acted almost instinctively as they saw the two lads coming.

“Good morning.” Chuks stammered out. He was relieved that he had gone to the school security first.

“Yes, how can we help you?” The one of average build said.

“I am looking for the DPO.” Chuks said before rephrasing the statement.

“I am here to see the DPO.”
“Wetin bring you come find the DPO? You get appointment with am?” The tall one asked fiercely.

“Yes, I have an appointment with him, in fact its an important appointment and he will appreciate it if you don’t obstruct what I am here for.”

Tade looked at Chuks with surprise. Does this dude know where he is? This is the Nigerian Police Station, where you can spend the night in unlawfully for something as simple as being rude. He tugged Chuks shirt gently but his friend refused to budge.

“Wetin this one dey think say e be? We dey ask you question, you dey answer us like say you be James Bond! We fit lock you up for here!” As Tade heard ‘lock’, he tugged Chuks shirt vigorously. Chuks still refused to budge.

This what I hate about Ibos. Tade thought. They are too stubborn.

As Chuks and the Tall Officer locked horns in a ‘fierce looking’ contest, the second officer stepped into the matter.

“Samuel, e don do! Free the boy!” He turned to Chuks. “The DPO is not around. Come back later.”

Tade heaved a sigh of relief and then walked away, almost dragging Chuks though there was no need for that, as Chuks was leaving on his own, smothering coals on his head.
As soon as they left the station, Tade dragged him o one corner.

“What’s wrong with you”
Chuks walked on, not answering Tade. As soon as they got to the road, a certain car drove past them and dropped in the station.
The two friends kept walking, but Tade could not take it. He quickly pulled Chuks to an empty shed and quizzed him.

“What’s the meaning of the stunts you pulled there?”

“Do you want to go to prison?”
“Don’t you realize the implications of what you did to me? Am asking you.”

Chuks looked at him and mellowed down, probably realizing that he was right.
“I am sorry. I was just angry that he wanted to try and bully us.”

“He won’t have resorted to that if you were not so arrogant. Well, let’s forget about that one. Just be careful.”
Tade’s phone rang.

Shodipo walked into his room, towel wrapped around him. He sat down and bowed his head, tears falling from his cheeks. Not up to four days ago, he saw the most grueling and brutal sort of killing and he could not report it.
He remembered how it started. After Ronke entered the room to rest, he talked to his friend in the next room, his friend looked understanding and allowed him to sleep.

After thirty minutes, he was rudely woken up with a gun poking his head. He suddenly started shaking and even peed on his body as his body controls suddenly ran amok.

Dotun and his friend then ordered him to his room, pushing the gun behind his waist and making it very clear that any funny move will be his last. As he opened the room, he almost cried out but he was quickly reminded of his fate if he did. He then watched as they did what was more than rape; forcing her to drink concentrated battery acid. And to make it worse, they decided to bath her in the acid outside ( he had to protest that they don’t do it in his room). Dotun then warned him not to report it anywhere, which was not necessary for he did not even have the mind to report it.

Since that day, he had been dis-orientated, always feeling like he will run mad. His bed was now a torture chamber, mentally reminding him of what happened. It was a good thing he did not go for the debate.
He suddenly heard a knock.