It was morning, not yet 9:30 am. In every household, people were busy with their work. The hardworking ones had long gone to school, while some men had gone to the farm. The house was silent, no noise, as everyone had gone about their business. After eating what they found to satisfy themselves, peace remained—except at Uncle Shehu’s house, where quarrels were constant between Inna Larai and Inna Karima.
In the girls’ room, only one young lady was lying down, sleeping as if tomorrow would never come. She had slept long without movement, then stretched in delight before adjusting herself on the mat. She rubbed her head and sniffled like one who had inhaled dust.
She muttered:
"This is why I love BURGU, he knows good DULAH (weed). When a person takes it, they feel recharged, and all tiredness disappears. As long as good quality is available, who would say they wasted their money..."
Her words were cut short by the ringing of her small Nokia phone that filled the room. She turned with a frown and picked it up.
"What is it?" she said while answering. She went silent, listening carefully to the voice on the other end.
"Hmm, if you hear a call from Alhaji Sama’ila, it’s politics. He wants work done for him. I’m warning you—if he climbs that seat, he’ll forget us. Then he will regret ever knowing me, because I’ll do something he’ll never forget till death. You know I can do it. Tell him now, if he agrees, come pick me up so we can plan. I was just telling you, I feel good after yesterday’s DULAH, the charge is massive… Okay, come get me, and tell the boys to prepare, I’m coming right away."
She left the room swaying arrogantly, then grabbed a container of water left nearby.
"Hey, SAMEEMAH, that’s my water I left!" someone shouted.
She looked up lazily and replied:
"So what if it’s yours? I’ll keep it for myself. If you think I fear you, come and take it. Remember I know about the tiny soap you used to bathe? Or do you think I don’t know? We only keep quiet out of sense, otherwise you’d see."
Her sister, Sameerah, snapped back:
"Look at her talking sense—Sameemah, of all people! If joy poured like rain in this town, and you used this water to bathe, I swear I’ll do worse than you imagine. Anyway, I’m going out this morning."
"Shut up, Sameerah! If you don’t return my water, I’ll deal with you and your useless boyfriend. If you keep misbehaving, I’ll change your life."
Sameerah hissed:
"Really? A child born in public speaking to me like this? Shameless thug!"
Sameemah laughed:
"Hahaha, better you said it out loud. But wait, I’ll deal with you today inside this house."
Frightened by her anger, Sameerah left quickly. She knew her younger sister was capable of anything. She regretted how this small girl tormented them daily. Sameerah had just received a call from her boyfriend, Saminu, to take her to a friend’s wedding in Kaduna. She was overjoyed, but now she had to leave without bathing—just to avoid Sameemah today, knowing if not, her sister would surely act.
After freshening up, Sameemah entered her room, still frowning. She applied lotions, wore fitted trousers and blouse, powdered her face, applied lipstick and eyeliner, then draped her veil stylishly.
On her way out, she saw a boy from the neighborhood carrying little Hanifa, Inna Larai’s daughter, on his shoulder. The child was crying—barely seven years old.
"What’s wrong?" Sameemah asked.
"Ah, Seemah the fearless! I found her bleeding on the road. She said Labiru, her brother Manu’s friend, did this to her."
"Thanks for the effort, you may go," Sameemah replied. She carried the child to Inna Larai’s house.
"Inna Larai! Inna Larai!" she called loudly.
Annoyed, Inna Larai appeared with Inna Karima.
"What’s all this noise? Do you want to eat me alive?"
Sameemah put Hanifa down:
"Here she is. One thug attacked her. Check her properly and pour hot water for her. Maybe she followed her greed. Anyway, I’m off to buy her chicken and painkillers."
Inna Larai angrily slapped away the money Sameemah gave, cursing her. Inna Karima laughed wickedly. Soon both women insulted each other until the whole compound heard them. Sameemah left angrily, not minding.
The Gang’s Meeting and Mission
Outside, Burgu waited on his motorcycle. As she mounted, she ordered:
"Send the boys to grab Labiru and take him to Karangiya’s house. Rough him up a little before I deal with him tomorrow."
Burgu hesitated:
"But leader, is this right?"
"Just do what I said!" she barked.
They rode to their gang’s hideout—a house with two brick rooms. Inside, members rose in respect. She sat on a chair like a queen.
"As you know, this gang exists not only by my effort but yours. We don’t want police interference. Alhaji Sama’ila has given us his political campaign work. Today six of you will follow me. The rest, Burgu will give tasks. Asusu, how much do we have in the bank?"
"Thirty thousand, leader."
"Good. Give Dodon Dawa ten thousand to buy us chicken and drinks. Then buy us strong DULAH, not that useless one from last week. After we finish with Sama’ila, there will be celebration."
The gang roared in excitement, chanting praises to her leadership. She silenced them and ordered preparations. Soon, some went to capture Labiru while others followed her to Alhaji Sama’ila’s house.
The Capture of Labiru and Political Dealings
Meanwhile, Labiru was drinking with friends by a stream, relaxed. Suddenly, he was attacked, gagged, and beaten by thugs. They carried him to Karangiya’s house, dumped him inside, and began to beat him mercilessly.
"Shall we rough him up like the leader said, or leave him?" one asked.
"No way! He betrayed us to the police when we stole Hajiya Delu’s goat. I’ll beat him well," another replied. They assaulted him until he lay helpless.
At Alhaji Sama’ila’s residence, the gang arrived. After being ushered in, Sameemah mocked him for sitting with his legs wide apart like a glutton. Embarrassed, he complied. They discussed campaign strategies for both town and villages.
Sameemah declared:
"Here are my conditions—half the money now, half after you win. If you forget us, you’ll regret it. If any of my boys fall into police hands, you’ll be responsible for getting them out. Agree, and Burgu will bring you papers to sign."
She warned him sternly and left. On the way out, they met another influential politician, Alhaji Bala, who flirted with Sameemah. She boldly gave him her number after exchanging coded glances.
Outside, Burgu whispered:
"Leader, are you sure about this deal?"
She glared:
"Don’t question me again. You people are beginning to forget who I am."
Back at the compound, chaos continued between Inna Larai and others until Baba Umaru (Sameemah’s father) returned. He scolded them for endless quarrels. Seeing Hanifa burning with fever, he sent Shehu with her to the hospital and Bashari to the police to report Labiru.
At the police station, however, the officer sneered:
"We won’t arrest anyone from Gidan Gandu. If we go there, either the suspect dies or changes his looks. Don’t waste your time."
Description
Morning in the Household
It was morning, not yet 9:30 am. In every household, people were busy with their work. The hardworking ones had long gone to school, while some men had gone to the farm. The house was silent, no noise, as everyone had gone about their business. After eating what they found to satisfy themselves, peace remained—except at Uncle Shehu’s house, where quarrels were constant between Inna Larai and Inna Karima.
In the girls’ room, only one young lady was lying down, sleeping as if tomorrow would never come. She had slept long without movement, then stretched in delight before adjusting herself on the mat. She rubbed her head and sniffled like one who had inhaled dust.
She muttered:
"This is why I love BURGU, he knows good DULAH (weed). When a person takes it, they feel recharged, and all tiredness disappears. As long as good quality is available, who would say they wasted their money..."
Her words were cut short by the ringing of her small Nokia phone that filled the room. She turned with a frown and picked it up.
"What is it?" she said while answering. She went silent, listening carefully to the voice on the other end.
"Hmm, if you hear a call from Alhaji Sama’ila, it’s politics. He wants work done for him. I’m warning you—if he climbs that seat, he’ll forget us. Then he will regret ever knowing me, because I’ll do something he’ll never forget till death. You know I can do it. Tell him now, if he agrees, come pick me up so we can plan. I was just telling you, I feel good after yesterday’s DULAH, the charge is massive… Okay, come get me, and tell the boys to prepare, I’m coming right away."
She left the room swaying arrogantly, then grabbed a container of water left nearby.
"Hey, SAMEEMAH, that’s my water I left!" someone shouted.
She looked up lazily and replied:
"So what if it’s yours? I’ll keep it for myself. If you think I fear you, come and take it. Remember I know about the tiny soap you used to bathe? Or do you think I don’t know? We only keep quiet out of sense, otherwise you’d see."
Her sister, Sameerah, snapped back:
"Look at her talking sense—Sameemah, of all people! If joy poured like rain in this town, and you used this water to bathe, I swear I’ll do worse than you imagine. Anyway, I’m going out this morning."
"Shut up, Sameerah! If you don’t return my water, I’ll deal with you and your useless boyfriend. If you keep misbehaving, I’ll change your life."
Sameerah hissed:
"Really? A child born in public speaking to me like this? Shameless thug!"
Sameemah laughed:
"Hahaha, better you said it out loud. But wait, I’ll deal with you today inside this house."
Frightened by her anger, Sameerah left quickly. She knew her younger sister was capable of anything. She regretted how this small girl tormented them daily. Sameerah had just received a call from her boyfriend, Saminu, to take her to a friend’s wedding in Kaduna. She was overjoyed, but now she had to leave without bathing—just to avoid Sameemah today, knowing if not, her sister would surely act.
After freshening up, Sameemah entered her room, still frowning. She applied lotions, wore fitted trousers and blouse, powdered her face, applied lipstick and eyeliner, then draped her veil stylishly.
On her way out, she saw a boy from the neighborhood carrying little Hanifa, Inna Larai’s daughter, on his shoulder. The child was crying—barely seven years old.
"What’s wrong?" Sameemah asked.
"Ah, Seemah the fearless! I found her bleeding on the road. She said Labiru, her brother Manu’s friend, did this to her."
"Thanks for the effort, you may go," Sameemah replied. She carried the child to Inna Larai’s house.
"Inna Larai! Inna Larai!" she called loudly.
Annoyed, Inna Larai appeared with Inna Karima.
"What’s all this noise? Do you want to eat me alive?"
Sameemah put Hanifa down:
"Here she is. One thug attacked her. Check her properly and pour hot water for her. Maybe she followed her greed. Anyway, I’m off to buy her chicken and painkillers."
Inna Larai angrily slapped away the money Sameemah gave, cursing her. Inna Karima laughed wickedly. Soon both women insulted each other until the whole compound heard them. Sameemah left angrily, not minding.
The Gang’s Meeting and Mission
Outside, Burgu waited on his motorcycle. As she mounted, she ordered:
"Send the boys to grab Labiru and take him to Karangiya’s house. Rough him up a little before I deal with him tomorrow."
Burgu hesitated:
"But leader, is this right?"
"Just do what I said!" she barked.
They rode to their gang’s hideout—a house with two brick rooms. Inside, members rose in respect. She sat on a chair like a queen.
"As you know, this gang exists not only by my effort but yours. We don’t want police interference. Alhaji Sama’ila has given us his political campaign work. Today six of you will follow me. The rest, Burgu will give tasks. Asusu, how much do we have in the bank?"
"Thirty thousand, leader."
"Good. Give Dodon Dawa ten thousand to buy us chicken and drinks. Then buy us strong DULAH, not that useless one from last week. After we finish with Sama’ila, there will be celebration."
The gang roared in excitement, chanting praises to her leadership. She silenced them and ordered preparations. Soon, some went to capture Labiru while others followed her to Alhaji Sama’ila’s house.
The Capture of Labiru and Political Dealings
Meanwhile, Labiru was drinking with friends by a stream, relaxed. Suddenly, he was attacked, gagged, and beaten by thugs. They carried him to Karangiya’s house, dumped him inside, and began to beat him mercilessly.
"Shall we rough him up like the leader said, or leave him?" one asked.
"No way! He betrayed us to the police when we stole Hajiya Delu’s goat. I’ll beat him well," another replied. They assaulted him until he lay helpless.
At Alhaji Sama’ila’s residence, the gang arrived. After being ushered in, Sameemah mocked him for sitting with his legs wide apart like a glutton. Embarrassed, he complied. They discussed campaign strategies for both town and villages.
Sameemah declared:
"Here are my conditions—half the money now, half after you win. If you forget us, you’ll regret it. If any of my boys fall into police hands, you’ll be responsible for getting them out. Agree, and Burgu will bring you papers to sign."
She warned him sternly and left. On the way out, they met another influential politician, Alhaji Bala, who flirted with Sameemah. She boldly gave him her number after exchanging coded glances.
Outside, Burgu whispered:
"Leader, are you sure about this deal?"
She glared:
"Don’t question me again. You people are beginning to forget who I am."
Back at the compound, chaos continued between Inna Larai and others until Baba Umaru (Sameemah’s father) returned. He scolded them for endless quarrels. Seeing Hanifa burning with fever, he sent Shehu with her to the hospital and Bashari to the police to report Labiru.
At the police station, however, the officer sneered:
"We won’t arrest anyone from Gidan Gandu. If we go there, either the suspect dies or changes his looks. Don’t waste your time."