Major Hamza al-Mustahpa: The Triumphal Entry Into Kano

The grandmother of late General Sani Abacha would probably be the eldest stateswoman in the horde anxious to receive Major Mamza al-Mustapha today in Kano!

The atmosphere is full of excitement, nearly reminiscent of the return of Yoruba exiles including Wole Soyinka to the West at the transition to our new democracy in 1998 under Gen Abubakar.

Since that same time Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha was hounded into detention to answer to charges that he murdered Kudirat Abiola, wife of Moshood, who himself was then in detention for declaring himself president.

Now, after a 14 year sojourn behind prison doors, the feared Major has now forgiven his enemies as he closes in on a red carpet entrance to home state Kano.

“There was conscious effort by those behind my travail to paint me black before the whole world, but my gratitude goes to God for allowing truth to triumph over falsehood.”

“The last 14 years of my life was spent between solitary confinement that lasted five years and three months and detention in about 32 facilities located within the northern and southern parts of the country.”

The charismatic but fierce former CSO said his survival during the time was made possible by "toughened" "professional calling and my belief as a Muslim to persevere in whatever condition one finds himself" "ordained by God to test my will and trust in Him."

He therefore excused those claiming "to have played a role" in his incarceration saying they "must have done that out of ignorance." "I bear no grudge against them."

He concluded but not without putting in the usual word for those he left behind in his prison sojourn. “I have learnt a lot of lessons from my incarceration, and from what I have seen at the maximum prison, there is a number of people who are being detained illegally across the  prisons and those in position of authority must do something to address the issue.”

He then shut out those reading his lips for signs of political ambition, as well as those itching to find out the foxy major's next move. “I am still a major in the Nigerian Army, and cannot be dragged into politics."  "My major preoccupation now is how to reunite with my profession!”

However, as the ruthless major dazzles his media audience, Kano state is agog with activities lined only for a folk hero. The radio market that traditionally booms in the north has now notched up a bit as scramble to get the latest about their son becomes more important than a plate of tuwoshinkafa.

The loudest of the jingles would be the one sent out by Abacha's eldest son Muhammad, running virtually on every radio stations in Kano. The Abachas are calling on Kano people to come out in droves to accord a folk hero, Major Hamza al-Mustapha a bragging welcome.

It is already billed that the wife of the late former Head of State, Maryam Sani Abacha, would lead the entire Abacha family to receive him today at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

There is also nearly a concluded networking of Mustapha's supporters and well-wishers to hold a rally in his honour. Wow!

It is like Christmas in July up Kano as newfound boisterousness ginger the city of an estimated seven million people. All manner of debates traverse the city with some thumping their chaste for finally defeating the Yoruba. Others thanking President Jonathan for the release of their son. There are also those others who ascribe al-Mustapha's release to his utter invincibility.

A visit to al-Mustapha’s residence at Lamido Crescent, Nassarawa GRA shows hyper activity unknown to it as large number of people troop in and out of the house. Truckloads of cows, rams and other features of merriment is a major salivating occurrence now.

Huge plasters and posters of the late Abacha and al-Mustapha already dot strategic sites in a way that immensely dwarfs those of electioneering campaigns.

Major Hamza al-Mustapha is the 'in thing' now, and a bile taste left in the mouth of the Yoruba who are still too dazed to utter any reactions.

 

Then the salient question: "who then killed Kudirat?"