MAGAJI

 

So visible was the redness in Magaji’s eyes with mix of madness as he led his gang to his rival’s stronghold taking them by surprise. They abruptly sent men to hiding as they brandished their machetes, hit the aluminum kiosks and the doors with their wooden rods chanting self-praised expressions and calling out their rivals to come and face them; “Yau karyarku ta k’are!” (your boastful pretension has ended) “Ku fito idan kun haifu!” (come out if you were born rightfully) “Yau barzahu za tayi baki”(afterlife is expecting you). Unprepared members of Attaura’s gang resolved to depend their domain with the little preparation and before you could say jack, the air was reeked of smoke, sweat and bloodlust. It was a fight from both side with ferocity and deep aggression, screams of men and clashes of machetes would be heard as the atmosphere became darkened. The brutal fight left five people dead, one from Magaji’s camp, three from Attaura’s and one an innocent passerby. Not to mention the dozens that were maimed, stabbed and injured. In addition to the lootings of properties which usually seems to be complementary of each encounter, snatching phones and stabbing innocent people randomly. It was a dark night full of terror for the people of Kwanar Gari. These have been the regular occurrences between the two gangs in this community and they proved to be completely nuisance to the residents.

The following day, news of this horrific event unleashed by Magaji has reached everywhere. Magaji who was nicknamed as kafi k’arfn mutuwa (who cheats death) because of his multiple near-to-death encounters in the hands of his rivals leaving him with a lot of scars of stabs on his well-built body and cuts on his face making him looked like a semi-cooked vampire. “How could one person become so arrogant that the peace of the entire people of Kwanar Gari community seems to be at his behest?” Rufa’i asked thoughtfully as they converged under the roof of Saleh Mai Shayi (tea vendor) to have their breakfast as the event was been rehearsed. Imam sitting in front of Rufa’i on the same rectangular bench by the side of the of the table where the tea was prepared, sipped his black tea and quickly responded; “Magaji is not alone, he is backed by a political force which he furthers their interest with his thuggery engagements throughout Kwanar Gari. Multiple times, community elders reported him to the DPO but he hardly spends a day or two. When they complained to the DPO of his early release, he made them understand that there was nothing he could do about him as he receives direction of his bail from his superiors.” This was how the discussion continued pouring their heartfelt concerns for their safety. Though an attempt was made which led to the formation of Kwanar Gari vigilante group to counter the nuisance of Magaji and his former boss Attaura which has now became his main rival. The vigilante group operates majorly at night but this attack took place around 6pm when most of the members hardly come back from their places of work. As the whole community of Kwanar Gari mourned the early departure Mal Audu, an innocent tailor who was caught in the crossfire, the ward head and his cabinet were busy re-strategizing on how to approach this menace differently.

 

Magaji’s parents came to Kwanar Gari as tenants seeking for a fresh start after been chased away from their village by bandits. His father, Mal Mamman was a professional bricklayer and his mother, Uwani, dedicated herself to raising Magaji who was just eight and his three sisters, six-year old Amina, four-year old Delu and two-year old Kande at their arrival. Mal Mamman was only able to enrol Magaji to the nearby community primary school, leaving his sisters at home. Mal Mamman assigned that Magaji to follow him to any construction site he happens to work whenever he returns from school, paving him a way to follow his career path in the bricklaying profession. One fateful afternoon, at Kasuwar Birni where Mal Mamman was part of the construction team, working on a four-storey building, when it collapsed on them which led to the death of over dozen workers including Mal Mamman. When Magaji reached the site after coming back from school that day, he only met Fire Service Officers searching and rescuing the victims from the collapsed building. One of Mal Mamman’s friend, Alh Audu spotted Magaji, came and started comforting him over the death of his father, within no time Magaji burst into tears and crying endlessly. Alh Audu accompanied him back home. Magaji’s crying caught Uwani’s attention, she inquired as she approaches the door; “Magaji, what is wrong with you, I thought you were supposed to be at the site with your father?” “Baba is dead!” Magaji murmured in tears. Alh Audu confirmed the news to Uwani telling her that about a dozen of them did not survived, he was lucky that he attended his child PTA meeting in school which was the only reason he was not under the rubbles like most of his co-workers. Uwani was struggling to process the fact that her husband, was truly departed and she slumped to the ground. Magaji rushed to her, “Mama please wake up! Wake up! Wake up Mama!” This incident resulted in Uwani’s paralysis which affected the left side of her entire body. The little money that was given to them in compensation of Mal Mamman’s death was engulfed in settling hospital’s bills for treating Uwani, before she finally gave up the ghost leaving Magaji in charge of his three sisters, just three months in between his father’s demise.

 Magaji being the eldest, automatically became the breadwinner taking care of his sisters, scavenging for food and scraps, often going hungry himself. The community which was initially sympathetic, soon neglected the family. Magaji quitted school, became so much frustrated especially with Kwanar Gari community’s indifference upon their plight. Having blessed with well built body and scary eyes, he was noticed by a gang leader; Attaura recruited him, provided him with a sense of belonging. As Magaji rose through ranks, he became a fearless and skilled fighter which earned him respect among his peers, his tale of bravery among rival gangs reached every nook and cranny of Kwanar Gari to the extent that he was spotted and backed by incumbent Local Government Chairman who used his gang to intimidate opposition, this made Magaji a gang leader himself and that fueled the rivalry with his former boss, Attaura.