Oyi ga'aje (son of the soil)

The Genesis

Weeks later, after the cleansing of the Igoche and Ofu bloodlines.Agaba appeared from the forests, covered in blood and lies.He wore a ripped tunic, dragging a cracked sword, his steps were weak and countable, he collapsed in the middle of the road, his wounds were inflicted on him by his followers following his command - the road to Apa from Otukpo.

After sometime, the distant creak of wooden wheels broke the silence of the lonely path. A merchant rode his cart toward Apa. But as his horse snorted and slowed, he narrowed his eyes - there, lying motionless at the centre of the road, was a body.

The merchant pulled the reins, bringing his cart to a sudden halt. He leapt down, heart pounding, and knelt beside the still figure. He pressed against the neck with his fingers. There is a pulse… though faint, but steady, eerily syncing with the rhythm of his own heartbeat.

A gasp escaped his lips. Without wasting a moment he heaved the body into the cart, climbed atop the seat, and whipped the reins hard.

He abandoned his route to Apa, as he turned back to the capital.

He burst into the bustling city of Otukpo, cart wheels screeching. Crowds parted as he sped toward the temple. Priests gasped, as they recognize the pale figure. Alarmed, they raced inside, calling for the high priest.

The high priest arrived swiftly, his robes sweeping the temple floor as he confirmed the troubling report. Without hesitation, he commanded immediate care for the wounded stranger and dispatched a messenger to the Ochi’doma.

“the gods do not seize to amaze me”, he said with mixed emotions.

Days passed, and then, Agaba stirred. The once unconscious figure opened his eyes. Word of his awakening traveled fast, reaching the ears of the king.

Within two days, a royal summon arrived - Agaba was to appear before the palace. The day of the royal summons arrived with a tension that hung in the air like a storm waiting to break.

A grand royal cart, rolled and halted before the temple entrance. Agaba, still weary but composed, stepped into the cart. Its wheels turned toward the palace.

In the palace, elders from every corner of the kingdom had gathered. Alechenu and his sect arrived early, their eyes sharp with suspicion. Loyalists of the late Eponu came later, their faces bearing grief and quiet resolve.

The cart rolled through the towering palace gates. The guards opened the doors, and Agaba was ushered into the royal hall.

The elders sat in a wide circle, their eyes fixed on him. At the far end sat the Ochi’doma - stoic, regal, burdened by recent unrest.

As Agaba stepped into the center, he bowed deeply and declared, “Agaba’ido”.

“rise, son of the late Elder Eponu”, the king said, his voice deep and commanding. “I grieve with you for your devastating loss. Your father served me with honor and died with honor. Now… tell me - how did you come to be found in such a state?”

A heavy silence filled the room. Alechenu cleared his throat. The elders leaned forward. All eyes turned to Agaba.

“with your authority, my lord… I shall speak”.Agaba’s voice was steady, but it carried the weight of a survivor.“I returned home that fateful night, troubled in thought over the recent cleansing. I was in my chamber when I heard it - the kind of sound you only hear during a raid. I grabbed my sword and rushed out. Then I heard it - a chant in the Tiv tongue. I didn’t understand the words, but I understood their meaning. It was our turn. The rebels had come… for the Igoche bloodline”.

He paused. The room was still. “i fought. By the gods, I fought hard. I cut down fifteen of them - proof that the Igoche fire still burns in me. But they overwhelmed me. A blow struck the back of my head. I fell. When I awoke, I was bound to a tree in their forest camp - deep within Idoma forest, close to this city. Day and night, they tortured me”.

Gasps rippled through the circle. “I waited… and when a rebel lowered his guard, I took his sword and killed him. I hunted down one of the Idoma spies among them - yes, eight of our own are working with the Tiv rebels. After eliminating them, I found the leader’s tent… and I slew him. Though weak, I escaped”.

He stepped forward, “your highness, I am the last of the Igoche. I am the only living witness of these traitors. The Tiv rebels conspire with high ranking Idoma officials. They aim not just to destroy clans… but to take power from within. They are more cunning than even the Igalas of Old. We must act swiftly. Let us teach the Tivs the superiority of the Idoma tribe”.

A deadly silence followed. Then Alechenu rose, “I said it before - Tivs are the orchestrators! And the slowness of Eponu to act cost him his life. Agaba’ido, I advise you to follow his son’s counsel!”Still no one spoke.

Then the Ochi’doma asked, “And how do you know the traitors among us?”

“give me a few days, your highness”, Agaba said. “I will find them”.

The king rose slowly, eyes locked on Agaba. “With deep consideration… I name you, Agaba - son and sole survivor of the Igoche clan - military chief of Idoma. Lead our army. Purge this threat. I trust you will serve with honor like your father”.

Applause thundered through the hall, though not all hands clapped with joy.

Some elders sat in silent dismay, but none dared question the king.

Within weeks, Agaba’s loyalists planted fabricated evidence in the homes of three elders - Alechenu, Adakole and one other.They were captured and dragged to the royal hall before the Ochi’doma.

“My king”, Agaba said as he knelt before the king, “we found prepared letters written In papers and hidden in corners, in the houses of these chiefs, the letters all co-relate, as it reads, the hasten attack and invasion of the capital city. Also, we caught a Tiv informant in Elder Alechenu’s home”

The King was shocked, confused and overwhelmed, his gaze fell on the captured chiefs.

With Eyes soaked up, and Nose running profusely, Alechenu and the chiefs denied the accusation,“I swear to the gods, I did no such thing”, Alechenu screamed.

“but it is stated in your letter that you’ll give your daughter to the leader of the rebel once the king is dead”, Agaba added.

“I said no such thing, you scoundrel, how dare you accuse me”, Alechenu mustered.

“you dare insult my anointed in my presence, take them outside and behead them, as decreed by I the king, they will serve as public examples to those who will want to question the sovereignty of my rulership”, the Ochi’doma ordered.

“my king, don’t be hasty, we are innocent”, Elder Adakole screamed.

“take them outside”, Agaba ordered.

“may the gods bear us witness of our innocence”, Elder Adakole screamed.

At the top of the steps that lead into the palace, the men were arraigned,and were publicly accused of treason,the crowd erupt in anger, as they curse the elders.

Elder Alechenu screamed,“curse be the king, if I be innocent”

“Blasphemy!”

“treason!”

These words swung from mouths among people in the crowd.

In front of the king and inhabitants of Otukpo city, the executioners raised their axes and hew out the head of the elders.