WAR HERO

War Hero

Just like every other kid growing up, Captain Nigeria had dreams of his own. Dreams, fantasies and goals, all combined in my little head. Dreams of wanting to be that guy that will make the difference, fantasies of what it will feel like to fall and be in love. The love dream started after watching a few Nollywood and Bollywood movies. The thoughts of being the guy that will champion a cause for significant improvement in the quality of life we live in this country was more pressing. Of all my dreams and their backups, I love this one the most. This is the dream of being a War hero, you know? like the movies? But Nigeria, my country was at peace at this time. It was profoundly easy to dream of my heroic acts of war when we were at peace. Now that Nigeria is technically at war with herself, the dream of being a War hero is easier described than lived. So, I will start with the easy part by describing my dream of being a hero.

Imagine me, leading a classified special unit team of the Nigeria Military on a combat mission against the terrorist sect in the Northern part of the country. As in, we are banging doors down of the sect’s HQ, I am barking out orders to members of my unit and we are in constant communication with command center in Abuja in real time. The president is present with a bunch of potbellied Joint Chiefs, Minister of Defense, National Security Adviser not Dasuki, watching the live feeds of our exploits from the safety of the conference room in defense headquarters. In the midst of the chaos and adrenaline rush I hear this voice that seems so far but clear in a typical northern accent saying “Captain Sola-Ojo, do you read me?” and I reply at the top of my voice “Loud and clear, Mr. President” he waits for a while and says “Son, be safe. Let’s end this once and por all and take no frisoners”. I say nothing except “yes sir”. Just like that, we go in into the dark source of the terror that troubles our nation, fighting with great strength like we were an army of a thousand soldiers and like smoke disappears into air, the end of Boko Haram. We emerged from this depths of dark terror into blossom light of peace which our country will bask in once again - courtesy of Captain Nigeria and his men.

Feeling good with myself now that I have done something important with my life. I just completed a mission to save our country from those who threaten our livelihood and freedom. The president invites my team to White House! Oh sorry I meant Aso Rock!, he says if he had his way he would have given myself and my team medals on National TV but for the sake of our safety and that of our family there will be no such thing. I totally agreed with him because I don’t want Boko Haram sympathizers targeting my friends reading this piece. And Captain Nigeria replies in his baritone “If we wanted applause sir, we would have joined the circus.” He shakes our hands firmly and thanks us on behalf of all Nigerians for our fearless service. Some monies were sent to our accounts but we don’t care about that, the fact that our country is safe again was enough payment.

How sweet, how heroic? Brave me….. I know you wanna paste my portrait on your wall but hold on till you hear the second thought I had about the other way the mission could go.
I imagined again that the story could actually go the other way. My black ass could have just been captured and the General that assigned us to the mission will not even be able to recall my name without checking the list of deceased members of the armed forces that have paid the ultimate price in the service to their country, or worse still, a video is posted online where a man in mask forces me to read some written text that convicts me of being an infidel and enemy of Allah. Blah blah blah

And you and I know what masks men do to soldiers that wants to die for their countries on youtube. Ha! and I remember I may not see my mommy again.

Dedicated to the men and women of our armed forces that have lost their lives in service to our country Nigeria. May God grant their families and friends the fortitude to bear the loss. Amen.