The only time I remember I don’t have hands is when I’m at my duty post, opening gate for survival as a security man, says 60 years old Bello Adamu-Abubakar, who is an example of when life throws you lemon you make lemonade from it.
Adamu-Abubakar is a husband of one wife, and father of five children, but operates as a gateman around Government Reserved Area in Gombe State.
When Periscope Nigeria arrived his Bagadaza residence Adamu-Abubakar said he was not born without arms, adding that he turned armless following his ordeal with herdsmen around Akko Local Government Area of the state and subsequent paralysis.
According to him, he has refused to allow the eventualities of life to make him redundant and incapable, stressing that his wife gladly feeds him water, food only the time he goes to work as security man that he feels he doesn’t have arms.
He said, “The incident took place 25 years ago. It was about the time of Governor Abubakar Hashidu’s reign as Governor of Gombe State. i was riding a bicycle in the bush in a village call kiddah in Kumo, Akko LGA.
“When i came across the first set of dangerous Fulani herdsmen in the bush, they asked me to give them money and i handed over everything i had to them, they were five in number.”
Narrating further his ordeal to Periscope Nigeria Adamu-Abubakar added that “The second set i came across asked me for money as well which i told them that i met with your fellow that i handed over all the money i had to them and i was left with nothing. It was then one of them said why will they collect money from me and there’s no blood stain in my body? After long arguments with them, one of the second set decided to fight me which i retaliated and i was able to collect his cutlass and he started begging for me to let him go and i did let off.”
Explaining further the father of five said he met another set that were scattered from their hideout, adding that the next group cut off his right hand and left thumb, arm before they escaped.
“I saw a man standing alone with cutlass, he used the cutlass and attacked me, i now decided to use my bicycle to hit him in order to defend my self, and he shift back before he could realise it i already knock him to the ground and got a hold of his cutlass.
Unknowingly to me there are three others hiding in the bush, before i could realise, they surrounded me and cut my right hand and my left thumb, my arm and one side of my head and later they ran away, leaving me there to struggle with my life. i tried my possible best to reach home, covering my amputated hand with my clothes to prevent the blood from pouring out,” Adamu-Abubakar added.
Speaking on his plight Adamu-Abubakar disclosed to Periscope Nigeria that upon his return his wife made way for him to get treatment at the hospital adding “We went to Kumo hospital with my family there a surgery was performed and my hand was amputated to almost my elbow region.”
The gateman said prior to the ordeal he was a farmer stressing that in order not to become a liability he chose to get involved with safeguarding of residence, “Before the incident i was a farmer. i used my hand to farm and feed my family because farming was my major source of income and now i no longer have one hand, and the other left hand that remain is paralysed down to my leg leaving me with no option than staying at home,” he said.
Commenting on how the incident has changed his lifestyle Adamu-Abubakar added, “The incident left me in a very bad situation because all my family depended on me to provide for them but now is not possible because even my self i need help from people to survive because of my condition. i have to leave the village to my present location in Bagadaza because we farm there to feed our families and since there is no how i can farm i have to vacate the place and then my children were still at tender age.”
While lauding the efforts of his wife, Adamu-Abubakar noted that she had become a pillar of support, stressing that “My wife has been behind me right from the day the incident occurred; She feeds me, gives me water to drink, bath me, and wear clothes for me because i couldn’t do it for my self due to my situation, and is my prayer that God will bless her and reward her for taking care of me for the past twenty five year,” he added.
Explaining on how he manages to operate as a gateman in spite of his armless state, Adamu-Abubakar disclosed that After battling with one sided paralysis for two year he had no option than to attempt to remain the man of the house.
He added, “I’m now a security guard here in GRA Gombe State. i use my leg to open and close the gate, with the help of my right hand that was amputated in the hospital because i could easily move it than the my left hand that is paralysed.
“Most at times i trek to my place of work so i can exercise my body, because i was advised in the hospital to move my body in other to make it flexible because it will take time for me to regain my self.
“Whenever i am tasty there a tap in my place of work, i open and drink water directly to my mouth if there’s no one to help me to lift the cup and put in my mouth
“I am calling on the government and individuals to assist me in any way they can because life hasn’t been easy since my hand was cut off and i find it difficult to take care of my family. I wish to call on individuals and government to assist the less privileged especially those who have the intention to work but due to physical challenges they cannot do it themselves.”
The 60-year-old man further urged youths to desist from acts of criminality, calling on them not be influenced by trends adding “Youths that engage in such inhumane act is for them to stop it and depend on God for survival without forcefully collecting it from people and these is also applicable to those that invade people’s farm.”
Editor’s Note: You can reach out to Adamu-Abubakar via 08098737720
