…..before the incident I wanted to pursue a career in uniform most especially NSCDC, but since the incidence everything around them despise me
24-year-old Musa Magret, one of the survivors of the event of April 22, 2019, involving a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps official who plowed his car into an Easter procession of the Brigade members in this interview with CHIMA AZUBUIKE,shares her narrow escape to losing her leg.
What were you doing before the incident occurred?
We converged on Union Bank roundabout before proceeding towards Sabon line area of the metropolis where a driver identified to be an official of the NSCDC Ukasha, refused to vacate the lane we were on and instead dropped off a female companion in the car with him, turned off the head lamp and crushed as many as 10 people. We were Boys’ Brigade members from Evangelical Church Winning All II, Barunde, Madaki, Bogo, Church of Christ in Nations, and Anglican Church.I was among the procession of Easter rally where we are singing praise to the lord for another Easter celebration before the incident occurred.
I was with my friends and colleagues observing the yearly Easter procession at around 10-11pm precisely at Anguwan Sabon Layi opposite Chimac Enterprise. We were ran over by reckless driver who came from behind us without light and it was later he identified as ‘Ukasha’ a member of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. The NSCDC official attempted to break the religious procession but was initially resisted. He was said to have been eventually allowed to drive through the procession in a bid to avoid trouble. But unhappy at not being accorded ‘special’ respect by the group, Abubakar vowed to return in a ruthless form after dropping off a female friend in his car. And at full throttle and a mind spoilt for violence, he rammed his vehicle into our group mostly made up of teenagers. By the time the tyres of the car came to a halt, 10 young souls laid lifeless on the ground while dozens others, at least 30 people, wailed in agony following injuries sustained.
Letter from Flossy
How did you survive during the incident knowing that about ten of your colleagues died?Is just the grace of God because I don’t know how I survived. However, the adequate report was not made available to my notice but all my attention was on the friends, family, colleagues that died on the spot. I give God the glory because its by his grace today am still alive. Sometimes, when I look at myself I wonder how and why the lord chose to keep me alive but I’m very grateful to God. I survived this incident by grace, in fact I don’t even know how I got to the hospital, and I only realised that I am in hospital with Police men around us and some family members who got the information, those that came to console us after hearing the tragic occurrence.
Magret
Do you sometimes remember your colleagues that died, what do you remember about them? Hmmm (sigh of relief), I do remember them; Joseph Daniel, Keziah Amos, Sunday Samuel Gurnet, Ruth Sambon Samanja, Joseph Danjuma Paul Gavan, Jesse Markus Baka and Joseph Samso. I remember the good times we shared in making the organisation we belonged to. I remember some of them with their tall dreams and ambitions of becoming successful in life.
Yes I do remember them, I do remember how we were singing praises to God giving him thanks for salvation of souls. It almost impossible not to remember them because we shared things in common we were in the same brigade knowing full well that I won’t meet or see them again is a cause to wonder. However, who am I to question God, the Almighty and the giver of life. I’m remember the deceased most especially Easter period, the usual time for such procession and like you already know Easter 2019 was the time of the Ugly incident. So usually every of such period there is this feeling that I usually have thank God, years after year it gradually fading but it almost unlike to forget the memories, experiences.
Her affected leg
How did your family take the news of what happened? They felt very bad when they heard of incident they were perplexed because they were scared that I was one of those that died. My people didn’t find it so easy but they thanked God for the life of their daughter especially when they finally saw me. Yes, they were worried seeing my leg, they exercised worries but having recalled those that passed they had every cause to thank God. Initially all their thought was that they may not see me life but upon sighting me they became calm and appreciative to God for preserving my life.
Have you ever wished that you and those that died were not part of the Easter procession or perhaps that it was cancelled or postponed?
No, this is a yearly programme and you cannot separate Easter procession in this part of the country from Christianity. In fact I wish am healthier, I will be part of it any day anytime.
I have never wished myself with those that died not to be part of the Easter procession or to be cancelled Or postponed even with the condition that am in now I have never regretted been part of it. I feel like if something is destined to happen it will surely happened. Perhaps it was ordained or the man allowed himself to be the object of destruction and he succeeded. So, for a fact I have never wished that the procession was rescheduled, or never held. The confidence we have is in Christ Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith. God is good, and in him was everything that he created good. Regrets are for losers, it just painful that someone trained, paid with our tax payers money could allow himself to be an object of destruction. Indeed the man destroyed many lives, the most painful part was the young ones with glorious future.
Since the incident occurred have you been part of other processions?
Yes, I have been part of other processions. I have not been deterred and I won’t be despite the odds, despite the current pains that I’m currently nursing. As you may know, Easter period reminds us the crucifixion of the lord Jesus Christ. It very important and I have never stayed off because of the previous experience. Although I can say that I have learnt to target safe space but God shields and covers all but we will keep doing our part. In a nutshell, I have not allowed the ugly occurrence.
So, I just follow them but not on foot as I used to but on either motorcycle, tricycle on in a car because I have not fully recovered from the incident.
How old were you when the incident occurred, when did you get married?I got married in 2020 December 5, during the period of Coronavirus pandemic in the World. When the incident occurred I was 20 years old.
Were they plans that the incident robbed you of, maybe plans of joining the uniform job especially as the alleged killer was identified as NSCDC officer ? Well yes and no. Yes, in the sense that the incident was a very tragic one. It came with hurt, and it changed the way I viewed life and issues. No, in the sense that no man can alter the plans and purposes of God for our lives no matter the challenges.
I was actually believing God for a job after my Education coincidentally I loved Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps but after the incident I just hate the work because the person that inflicted the pain I am going through was their staff. Presently, I cannot stand up for an hour not to talk of carrying heavy load honestly, I wished it didn’t happen (tears). I am finding my domestic chores difficult, it’s not funny.
What was Gombe State Government immediate response to the incident? I will like to commend the past administration, there was quick response by the State Government to provide us with adequate treatment. They made it available through Ministry of Health, we were taken care of by the then Governor His Excellency Dr Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, who then paid our fees. But the services couldn’t continue because we were made to understand that the resources were mopped by the current administration this was without certainly our full recovery. The government promised to take care of our medical expenses. It wasn’t long that those who sustained injuries among us were discharged to go home and return for checkup. Soon, we discovered that the money released for our treatment was taken back by the ministry of health, as it was said that we had recovered. The then Deputy Governor H.E Charles Iliya, played his part too very well he came to the State Specialist Hospital to check on us and a directive was given to the Ministry of Health to treat all victims immediately. Another directive was given to all security agencies to investigate the incident and they did.
For how long have you been in this condition? It been two years now of suffering this pain in the leg. It has not been easy coping with the challenges of this affected leg, doing things with this leg has been with excruciating pain. Sadly, it reminds me of the event of last four years that I and my family members are trying to forget.
It’s been four years that the incident occurred, some got operated and are doing fine now, does it mean that you were unable to get treated that moment?
No, I was treated to the point that I thought I was very okay, but along the line things began to get worst as if I have never been to hospital for that same treatment.
I was treated, meanwhile for the past two years, I have been going through a lot of pains swallowing of the legs not been able to walk properly. I find it difficult to walk from time to time.
How did you get it treated, which hospital have you visited for your treatment so far?I have visited flossy consultancy clinic Orthopaedic and Trauma Care Gombe State because I couldn’t bear the pains and the swallowing of leg which affects the way and manner I used to walk. The challenges so far include; inability to stand up for about an hour, I cannot carry heavy thing it will reflect on the leg, swelling in the ankle and severe pains. It has to a large extent affected my productivity at home because I find it difficult to do chores that ordinarily doesn’t take me too much time to round off but now the pain affects how I do things and it is sad. It is painful to see things that I can easily do been done for you by someone else in this case my husband. I must say that he has been helpful to me knowing my condition joining me in an attempt to collectively fight it. I must add that he has shown a level of understanding, tolerance.
Doctors claimed you have Ankle Anthrodesis?Yes, the consultants said after their clinical and radiological evaluation, a diagnosis of medial maleolar fracture was made. I’m being prepared for surgery of ankle arthrodesis the cost of surgery, admission, implant, physiotherapy, drugs, consumable, anesthesia, professional fee, operational fee and dressing they put the total cost at N350,000, which seems very difficult to raise.
What is stopping the surgery since it’s the solution to your plight?
Financial issues is causing the delay of the surgery. it has been the stumbling block to the operation, I and my husband have been working assidiously to see that we raise the funds but to no available and I’m going through serious pains. We have been meeting those we know to solicit for help so that we can get the needed medical attention.
Because the people are stingy. People are always crying that there is no money. Some will sit down listen to the whole story and they will be like Eya ALLAH ya kawo lafiya (things are hard now Magi) but I will see what I can do. That’s all. I am seeing as we don’t love one another but if I fall down and die people will contribute more than the said amount.
Many may be surprised why raising the money has been difficult, What work is your husband involved in? He works in the restaurant as a caterer.
What do you do for a survival? I’m not doing anything at the moment. I finished from Government Day Secondary School Orji. I have my Senior Secondary Certificate result. I’m yet to further for now.
What kind of help did you get before now, from individuals or churches, Or even Gombe State Government? Nothing at the moment as my request has been made to the church and to individuals but no substantial help has come forth and the pain keeps deteriorating. I’m yet to get any support from the Gombe State Government or the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to treat this aftermath of the the April 2019 incident. Before now there’s no help the fact that we wrote letters to individuals, to churches, to organisations and hopefully they will respond in due time but no response yet as for the State Government they are not yet aware of the new development.
How has life been with you generally after the incident? My brother it isn’t easy, I am always thanking God and know his grace is sufficient for me. Sometimes I feel like I should remove the leg, I keep it aside for sometimes so that I can rest small. I am confident that I will be well. It’s well. We give God the glory, but to be honest it has not been easy. The pains I go through is better imagined than felt by anyone. I believe that after the surgery I will be whole again to continue with life activities especially the role of taking care of my baby and my husband.
What is your plea to Gombe State Government ?My plea to the Gombe State Government especially to my able Governor Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, is to come to my rescue and help with financial support to undergo the surgery. I will be grateful if he comes to my aid because it has not been easy since February 2023 that the doctors examined my situation they claimed that surgery is the best option but it has been an uphill task gathering the money.
I know His Excellency the Executive Governor of Gombe State Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is good leader with huge love for his people. He should please come to my rescue and help me undergo this leg surgery, I’m not finding it easy honestly.
Have you forgiven Ukasha, the alleged killer of your colleagues? I have forgiven him, even the bible says we should forgive anyone who offends us despite the fact that my colleagues died during this unfortunate incident. If I remember the word of God that says we should forgive anyone who offends us, anyone that hates us. For me the man didn’t know what he was doing I forgive him.
If you were conscious would you have supported his lynching to death? If I were to be conscious I will never have allowed it to happen. It was when I regained consciousness that I was told about the lynching of the man. I will never support that.
