The reception I got at home in Katsina after I was released by my abductors was more than I bargained for. Virtually every relative of mine, both male and female that lived in Katsina turned up to receive me.
When I drove through the gate, my female relatives, made up of my only sister that lives in Katsina, Saratu, my children, nieces, cousins, grandchildren, my first lady, you name them, crowded me and practically pulled me out of the car, laughing, crying and hugging...
In the sitting-room, I was surrounded by them, while some stood outside, crying. It was as if I had returned from the dead. They were looking at me strangely, not quite believing what they were seeing. Even I did not quite believe I was finally free. I believe many had given me up for dead, including myself. They were taken aback when they saw me driving by myself.
Outside my gate, my male relatives, friends, neighbors, etc, were sitting on mats spread all over, as if they were receiving people on condolence visit. I was told they had been doing that everyday since the day we were abducted. It gave me a strange feeling of peeping to see what was happening after I had died.
When the news filtered back that we were subjected to trekking barefooted for more than one hundred kilometers, many thought I was crippled. It was too much for them to see me driving and walking around without even limping.
But, actually, my first port of call was my cousin's (Ibrahim Muhammad) house in Zaria. A well organized reception awaited me. His wife prepared all kinds of food and drinks, and we ate together with my cousins and my son, Nasif Ahmad, who had come all the way from Katsina to take me back. We then proceeded to my aunt's (Hajiya Indo Muhammad, former Principal, FGGC Bakori and Zaria) house, still in Zaria. We were confronted by another grand reception.
It was the same story in my hometown, Bakori. Friends, family and relatives were all over me. I was stopped on the streets while driving or walking. I couldn't walk for a few meters without being stopped. People fell all over themselves to give me whatever I wanted... Wow! I had never witnessed such show of love and solidarity. It moved me to tears on end...
Here's the link to the sad story as published by Daily Trust...
https://dailytrust.com/our-tortuous-journey-to-kidnappers-den
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