Book Review Series#6: Last Moments: A Short Story by A.D Adigo

“Until the day before, government troops had been deployed to a few states including Nasarawa to suppress insurgent groups and stop clashes between farmers and herdsmen. Danjuma found it quite ironic that the herdsmen had struck the day after
the government’s troops disbanded and left Nasarawa. The herdsmen had waited until the day when the people felt assured of safety.
April fools.
One question kept pounding in Danjuma’s head: How had a horde of illiterate herdsmen gained possession of firearms? Had
they stolen them? Or had the weapons been supplied? Was this is a conspiracy to assert tribal dominance?
He brushed that thought aside, too. He wasn’t supposed to think like that. He and Aisha were, after all, Hausa, and closely linked with the Fulani tribe.
So why were the herdsmen shooting at them?
This was all wrong! If the government’s troops had been prevented from disbanding, perhaps the herdsmen would not have struck. Chukwuma and the others would not be hanging from tree branches. Danjuma and Aisha would not be running for their lives.
Was the government blind? The herdsmen were not only after pastures; they also wanted power."

This intriguing and suspense-filled story, centres on the terrorist attacks which have been a major concern in Nigeria. However, the terrorist sect which the author bases the story on, is the sect of “The Herdsmen". These men are dreaded and are known for carrying dangerous weapons whenever they go around to graze their cattle. They are known for going to the farms of innocent Nigerians, in the North and South, and killing them like chickens. With this short story, Adigo highlights the act of neglect which the government displays, whilst “handling" the issue of the herdsmen. The government keep mediating for talks and for Nigerians to lay down plots of land for The Herdsmen to graze. They keep turning a blind eye on the fact that these animals are terrorists. No mediation should be made for them. They have killed thousands of people. They deserve to be hunted down, and killed. The government has refused to open fire on them. It is a sad situation. Adigo makes use of words which arouse suspense. While reading the story, I began to think of the thousands who have lost their lives in the hands of those heartless rogues. The matter hasn't been given enough publicity. People are dying all because of some heartless cultural fanatics. The government must act fast.
The themes of violence, terrorism, hopelessness, neglect and bravery are embedded in the piece. It is an excellent and insightful piece.