….when the gods avenged my case

-Osaro Fayimiyo

Ifueko was an only child whose mother died during her birth. Her father had handed her over to her maternal grandmother because he had gone to marry another wife.

Ifueko grew up with Iye Uselu as her grandmother was called in Uselu quarter of Benin metropolis.

Iye Uselu was an ardent believer and priestess of Sango and Olokun deities. On normal days, she has a small store in Uselu market where she sells ornaments for Olokun worshippers.

On this day, she forgot to bring alligator peppers home for a sacrifice that is required by a client the following morning.

She sent Ifueko to the market with keys to get the items from the stall.

Ifueko decided to take a short cut besides Edaiken primary school towards Odia street to get to the market. It was late in the evening.

Edaiken primary school before it was brick fenced, was a notorious hideout for rapists and petty criminals. That evening was one of the days, these three boys known for their notoriety decided to hangout and smoke their cannabis at this usual hideout.

Jimoh, Michael and Osagie were well known and feared. They were good for nothing.

Jimoh accosted Ifueko but she was in no mood for any of his silly jokes which further infuriated Jimoh who was visibly drunk, the glee in his eyes gave him away as someone who had been smoking ” concentrated organic weed” for days.

Ifueko was 17 years of age. Big framed gorgeous body and beautiful.

Jimoh waved for assistance from Osagie and Michael who came through to support their co-culprit.

Ifueko tried resisting but was no match to the 3 young men. They lifted her like a sac of oranges towards one of the classrooms that has no windows or doors and unto one of the benches to commence the abominable business.

She fought, but that only made them laugh at her like a herd of hungry lions on a prey.

They took turns to defile her, they raped Ifueko. She was numb and closed her mind while it lasted. This can’t be happening to me, she wondered.

With torn clothes and blood drips from her loins, she walked home to her grandmother.

Iye Uselu didn’t ask how she came to be in this condition. All she wanted to know was, “Who did this to you?” Ifueko named the miscreants, the three boys.

Iye Uselu knew who they were, their parents and family homes. She led her granddaughter to their homes. She narrated the story to each of the families. Jimoh was at home when Iye Uselu called.

Jimoh laughed and threw a morsel of Eba at Iye Uselu.

Iye Uselu thanked them. Took Ifueko home. Dressed her wounds. Pleaded with her keep calm.

The following morning, Iye Uselu went to the market.

She bought a male goat, a day old chick,a native fowl that has no feathers, seven cowries, three male effigies and shreds of black cloth.

She took these items home. She is not a trouble seeker. These boys drew blood and they are bound to feel the brunt, Iye Uselu exclaimed.

She took the male goat to Esu shrine beside the house, she petitioned the “chief inspector” Esu and slaughtered the animal. Left the carcass at the shrine with the three male effigies draped in black cloth shreds at the foot of the shrine. The night people needs to eat too, she said.

She took the day old chick, after stating her case at the Sango shrine with native alcohol and alligator peppers in her mouth, smashed the head on the stones and hung the body upside down on a wooden ornament. Sango Olukoso, oko Oya knows his own and fights their battle.

She took the Cockerel by the neck and pulled effortlessly as Sango worship do not require the use of knives at such times as this. Iye Uselu seek to see the blood of those who had caused the flow to her own Ifueko, her favorite grandchild.

As the night falls, she gathered dried house rat, three knobbed kolanuts, three broomsticks and corn pudding drenched in red palm oil in a harvested tortoise shell. She took these items to the front of the primary school for it was situated at a fork junction beside the electric pole. She called on the great men and women of the night to intercede. She didn’t mention names as the people of the night are believed to know everything even before you come with your petitions. They have never let her down. Not on this one. Never!

Iye Uselu went home and told Ifueko not to worry for nemesis shall catch up in due course.

Never did it cross their mind that Ifueko could get pregnant from the rape but eventually she did. Ifueko could not write her final exams in secondary school.

Iye Uselu was distraught. In her pain, she smiled.

Ifueko gave birth to a baby girl whom Iye Uselu named Imariabe meaning “I am not guilty”.

Ifueko had dropped out of school and now accompany her grandmother to the market to sell worship ornaments in the market.

Osarobo came to perform some sacrifices with Iye Uselu.

Osarobo is based in the United State of America and needed a wife.

Osarobo met Ifueko and decided instantly she was the right one.

Iye Uselu narrated the rape and the child from the rape. Osarobo wanted Ifueko and Imariabe at all costs.

They married and are currently living in Atlanta with Iye Uselu visiting at intervals.

A curse do not manifest on the very day it was pronounced.

Michael travelled to Italy after the rape incident. He became a drug baron and was executed by the rival gang over territorial control in Naples two years ago. He was buried there. He was never married and had no child to his name.

Osagie travelled to Israel as a pilgrim in 1993. He was never married. He was never sane until he committed suicide in 1997 in Tel Aviv.

Jimoh stayed back in Nigeria after he was deported from Spain. He became a societal nuisance until he was shot by the police in an attempted armed robbery that went wrong. He died from his wounds in the police custody.He had no child of his own.

Ifueko and I are still friends till date. She commissioned this true story. She is reading this as well.

Blame not the gods…..

#SayNoToRape

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