Chapter Fifteen

The gravity of the situation escalated as the news of the hostage-taking at St. Alice spread like wildfire across major television channels, reaching concerned parents not only within the country but also beyond its borders. 

The airwaves carried the weight of the unfolding crisis, each broadcast amplifying the shock and fear that gripped those who had loved ones within the school.

In homes near and far, parents received the distressing news with a mixture of disbelief and panic. Families across the nation frantically worrying about the safety and well-being of their children.

The small town of Uboma, now thrust into the national and international spotlight, became a focal point of collective concern. 

As the images and reports permeated the airwaves, the sense of helplessness among parents intensified, their hearts echoing the anguish reverberating through the television broadcasts.

The parents were overcame by a sense of urgency propelling them into swift action. 

Those residing outside the state raced to airports, driven by a desperate need to be closer to their children in the face of the unfolding crisis.

Simultaneously, parents living within the state hurried towards Uboma Town, converging on the epicenter of the unfolding events. The roads buzzed with a mix of anxiety and determination as cars streamed towards the heart of the small town.

The influx of anxious parents and guardians to Uboma Town presented a daunting challenge for the stationed security operatives. 

Faced with the collective desperation and uncertainty, the once-controlled environment now became a hub of emotional turmoil.

Security personnel found themselves at the forefront of managing the frantic inquiries and concerns from parents yearning for information about the fate of their children.

In the governor's private moments, away from the public eye, the weight of his dual roles bore down on him. The usually serene office became a sanctuary for introspection, a place where the personal and the public intersected in an intricate dance of emotions.

As he grappled with the uncertainty surrounding his wife's safety, the governor's thoughts wavered between the intimate concern of a husband and the measured responsibility of a leader.

The confines of his office, adorned with symbols of governance, stood witness to the internal struggle that defined his every decision and action during this crisis.

In public, the governor presented a composed front, a stoic figure projecting strength and reassurance to a community in distress. 

His speeches and public appearances were carefully crafted to instill confidence and convey a sense of control, even as the turmoil within him mirrored the collective anxiety of the state.

The governor donned the mantle of assurance, standing before a sea of anxious parents and concerned citizens as he visited Uboma Town that evening. 

His voice, steady and measured, reassured the people present and the entire state that the security agencies were diligently handling the hostage situation at St. Alice. 

The governor's words aimed to instill a semblance of confidence, a collective belief that the situation was under control.

However, behind the mask of assurance lay the governor's own doubts and fears. The weight of his responsibilities, both as a leader and as a husband with a loved one among the hostages, bore heavily on him. 

The governor, like everyone else, grappled with the uncertainty of the situation, his private misgivings hidden behind a façade of strength.

***

In his residence in Abuja, the former governor was playing host to Chief Ikpa.

"It's just a matter of time now," Chief Ikpa said. "The moment he steps aside, I'll set the play in motion for the Deputy Governor to step aside and hand over to my people in the state assembly who will call for fresh elections within 30 days instead of waiting till November. Nobody will be able to stop us."

Already, Chief Ikpa's son had obtained the nomination forms of the political party they had settled for and had started talking tough against the governor.

The young man would be appearing on a major national television to discuss the unfolding situation at St. Alice with a view of telling the world how incompetent the governor was in managing the affairs of the state and protect lives and property.

"What are you doing about those men?" the former governor asked about the criminals. "We can't keep such people around. They'll become a new Boko Harm in our own backyard."

"I have a protocol in place for that," Chief Ikpa replied. "My man knows what to do."

***

The Chief Priest of Uboma Town suddenly got to his feet and started chanting incantations in the native language.

He danced around his shrine for a moment then stopped.

"May the gods save us from what is about to come," he muttered.