Michael was 17 years old when he met Sandra who was 15 years at the time. They met at a wedding reception in Akure, the capital of Ondo state, Nigeria. Much more interesting was that both of them came from communities well known for peaceful coexistence and mutual trade in Edo state; Michael from Benin tribe and Sandra from Okpella, a town situated further north. Michael was born into an indigent family where having a three square meal was a huge task. His 70 year old father ekes a living from the repairs of bicycles and income wasn’t enough to cater for the family of six. Michael’s mum had to augment with the little proceeds that come from her small shop.
His relationship with Sandra grew stronger when she got admission into Auchi Polytechnic; the same school where Michael was studying civil engineering. They attended the same fellowship. The lovebirds became the envy of all because of how close they were in school.
It was the festive period and Sandra returned home to celebrate as well as spend time preparing for her final exams. As with the festive season, many others, home and abroad, also returned. It was during this period Sandra ran into Peter, her former course mate who had just returned from Malaysia. Peter had always crushed on Sandra. Peter never fancied education but believed strongly in making money and getting rich. In fact, he was known by his audacious goal of becoming a multi-millionaire before 30. It was unsurprising when he dropped out of school during his first year and traveled to Malaysia in search of greener pastures.
True to his words, Peter returned and exuded wealth that was visible to the blind. Within a 3 years stay in Malaysia, Peter bought a new model of Infinity SUV, renovated his father’s dilapidated house and had started building a duplex in Lekki axis of Lagos state.
Sandra was surprised when Peter asked her out and she accepted the offer to have lunch with him. At the restaurant, out of the blue, Peter brought out a little shinning box, went on his knees asking Sandra to marry him Sandra was bewildered and confused. A flurry of thoughts running through her mind. In the state of shock and confusion, she thought about Michael, a poor graduate of Civil engineering surviving on a meager salary from a bakery job. She saw no future with him, no prospect, no way ahead. She also couldn’t get her mind off how Michael had been there for her all through the years and how it would be selfish of her to elope with a guy that just returned from abroad. As she processed these thoughts, Peter asked again, this time gently raising her left hand to place the ring on her finger. She starred into Peter’s eyes and envisioned the wealth, riches, affluence and comfort she would enjoy by saying YES to Peter’s proposal. The constant mental alternation between Peter and Michael put her in a state of dilemma.
With tears cascading from her eyes, Sandra took a deep breath and rejected Peter’s proposal. She told Peter she’s already in love with a guy who is also ready to marry her. Shocked by the rejection, Peter hurriedly finished his meal and gave Sandra a huge sum to take care of her transportation cost and he zoomed off.
Five years had passed since Michael graduated yet no good job. Being the firstborn of the family, so much was expected of him but there was only little he could deliver. Sandra took up a teaching job and as a commitment to their future together, they both started saving towards their wedding. All the while, a lot of suitors had come to seek Sandra’s hand in marriage yet she seemed so resolute and committed to Michael.
One weekend, Michael visited Sandra at her place, after they had had dinner, Michael seemed bothered and asked Sandra to sit beside him to discuss something important with her. Without beating about the bush , Michael reminded Sandra that things had been difficult for him, the absence of a good job and the resultant pressure from his family. Michael concluded by saying he had a solution to his numerous problems. Sandra was surprised, confused and anxious to hear this golden solution. She held Michael by his arm and urged him to speak on. “Travelling abroad,” Micheal said. Sandra laughed hard and made to stand up as if she was dismissing a joke from Michael. Michael held her back and told her that he would want them to travel abroad, get married and live as one happy family. Sandra asked him ” How would they go about it, knowing well that Micheal hadn’t saved a considerable amount after 5 years of graduation. Micheal opened up and told Sandra that they will have to take the risk of traveling to Libya by road en route Italy. Sandra, shocked by this ridiculous plan, shook off Michael’s arm and sternly warned him not to include her in such plans knowing how many people had died while on this treacherous route abroad. Michael explained to Sandra how he met a guy who smuggles people, who had assured them of their safety and was willing to help both of them. The contact had also promised to take them along and when they get to Libya he would inform the head of their human trafficking syndicate about them so that she can arrange for their crossing to Italy.
A passenger truck heading from Agadez (Niger) to Libya
(Ibrahim Diallo Manzo/IRIN)
After much persuasion, Michael was able to get Sandra to agree and support him on this venture. On one hand, she was scared by the stories of people who had been reported killed or taken into slavery on the same route to Europe. On the other hand, she was excited about the prospects of migrating to Europe and returning home to build mansions and ride in exotic cars like many others in her home town, she ruminated on it till she fell asleep. At midnight, she jerked and was screaming. Michael, who was next to her, grabbed her and tried to calm her. Michael asked her what was the problem and she told him about the nightmare she just had. Sandra recounted how she saw herself coming under attack in a foreign land with no one around to help her. As she continued, Michael held her hand, cuddled her and told her that everything will be fine as it was all imaginations. Sandra insisted that such a dream could portend evil.
Michael was about leaving home for work one morning when his phone rang, it was his landlord’s son “the trafficker” who hadn’t been around for a week. The young man told Michael that they would be leaving for Kano State, Northern Nigeria the following day alongside other young ladies he had managed to cajole into taking the journey to Europe. Michael quickly called Sandra to travel down to his place that day. He also reminded her not to tell anyone about their plans to travel to Europe through the desert. Nosa, the landlord’s son had already briefed them on what to bring along. Sandra lied to her boss that she was traveling to the village to cater for her ailing mother while Michael also lied to the owner of the bakery where he works that he was relocating to Lagos.
In the morning, at about 6 am, Michael and Sandra were already at the motor park waiting for Nosa. After about 30 minutes, a cab carrying Nosa and three other ladies drove into the park. Nosa alighted, called Michael to a corner and ordered him to hand over all the money he had with him which he did. Soon they bought the tickets and not too long after, the bus to Kano was full.
They arrived Kano state at midnight. Nosa’s friend who is a cab guy was already waiting for them. They squeezed themselves into the Toyota Camry car and the cab guy took the alternative route to Kings Hotel situated at Aba road in Sabon Gari. They were lodged in pairs; Michael and Sandra in one room, two of the three other ladies in another while the last lady was with Nosa. Michael and Sandra had sex all night to celebrate the first phase of their journey to freedom, wealth, and everlasting love. According to Sandra, it was also her last sex in Nigeria and she needed memories to hold on to, Michael didn’t disappoint and after much screams and moans, the exhausted couple slept off.
After two nights in Kano, they proceeded to Zinder, a town in the Republic of Niger, and then to Agadez, a very big town and a transit point for all travelers who are heading to Libya. At Agadez, they spent three days there before getting on a truck that conveyed over 80 migrants to Durku, a village situated in the heart of the Niger part of Sahara desert. While at Durku, Nosa secured a hut where they all stayed and spent 4 days sleeping on a mat without taking their bath. They began their journey to Libya in the evening which was facilitated by Alhaji Musa a Malian popularly known as Baba Trafficker. Michael and Sandra sat quietly alongside others in an old Hilux pick up being driven by Chadian mafia who had spent most of his life in the desert. Sandra was already tired of the journey, her fair complexion had darkened due to the scorching sun and lack of good food. The following night, they got to a place in Sahara desert which was under the control of the rebels and the vehicle was ordered to stop for thorough checking. The dirty looking rebels discovered that some of the passengers were young ladies they told the driver to hand his key over to them. Things didn’t look so good at that point. Michael prayed a silent prayer and promised Sandra to always be by her side.
Hilux for those who have more money to pay
Photo by Lisa Schlein
The dreadful rebels, eight in number, ordered all the ladies including Sandra to come along with them. Sandra refused to follow them and this angered one of the rebels who pulled her by the Jacket she was putting on. Michael instinctively tried to pull her back while screaming “she is my wife she is my wife”. Michael was immediately attacked and hit on his head with the butt of an AK47 held by one of the rebels. Michael still held firmly to Sandra trying to pull her away from the rebel’s hold. Commotion ensued and Michael was then stabbed on his arm. The plea from other hungry, slave-like individuals around prevented Michael from being stabbed to death.
Michael was held in solitary confinement but screams of Sandra kept him awake and in tears. The rebels took turns to rape Sandra and other ladies. Sandra was the most beautiful amongst the ladies, with nice curves and pointed boobs. In the morning, all occupants of the Hilux had all been released. Sandra couldn’t walk back to where the Hilux jeep was packed because of what she went through in the hands of the rebels. Michael and two other guys helped her into the Hilux jeep and she laid in tears between Michaels thighs who was still nursing the injuries he sustained from the brutality of the rebels.
After three days they arrived Murzuq, a small town situated in Southern Libya. The same day Nosa arranged for a vehicle to take them to Sabha, a big city in Libya so that Sandra and other ladies could get medical attention. They were admitted into a hospital where the doctor ran several tests on them and the doctor discovered that Sandra had contracted HIV virus. When the doctor broke the news to her, she fainted. Michael was distraught.
The story was shared by a Nigerian migrant who resides in Napoli. The names used in the story are pseudonyms
