Dangers Associated With My Line Of Duty

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Talking about risks and dangers we face on the road daily, I think I would have alot to say about that, given the fact that I have had countless terrible death experiences but still survived. As a military personnel, I am automatically an enemy of the bad guys in society. So walking alone on the street is already a risk for me.

The other day I was telling one of my friends that I am not afraid of death anymore because I have seen my death so many times but am still alive. If there's any job that demands all your energy, time, and life, I think it would most definitely be the military job.

It's no longer a secret that Nigeria is currently experiencing all manner of insurgencies across the country, especially in the Northeastern part of the country. I can tell you that more than half the soldiers in Nigeria are sent to fight the Boko Haram terrorists in Borno state.

In the latter part of 2020, I was mobilized to join the troop going to Damboa, a notorious home of the Boko Haram terrorists. We moved from Cross River State to Maiduguri safely but moving forward from Maiduguri i to Damboa, we were ambushed by the Boko Haram terrorists.

We had a long convoy going to Damboa, about 5 armor tanks, 300 soldiers, and some other big military vehicles we took with us. The first two vehicles passed over a mine and nothing happened, but the 3rd vehicle stepped right on the mine and before my very eyes, I saw a huge vehicle with soldiers in the air. And guess what fams, I was in the second vehicle that had just crossed the mine.

It was like a war movie, and I couldn't believe my eyes. This was my first experience of real war and I could see myself shaking in fear. This was just my welcome to the road moment, because as we moved further, not even up to 15 kilometers, we were attacked by terrorists who started shooting at us from the bush.

We stopped and our Commander instructed us to come down from the vehicles and lay low on the ground. I regretted joining the military on that day. But I was motivated when I saw brave men standing up to confront these terrorists and defeat them.

All through my 6 months in Maidugiri, I lost so many of my regulars and colleagues. I saw my own death so many times but didn't die, maybe death has no power over me after all, lol. Risk is an understatement compared to what some of us have faced on the road to a better future.

Because of viewer's discretion, I don't want to share some pictures here on some of the challenges we face on the road, as most people might not have the heart to handle it. Let's just say life has happened to us, and even me who was a "shaky-shaky baby" is now strong-hearted.

I am now in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, and this part of the country it's more of riverine areas than land. It's a different kind of war here. We face sea pirates on a regular and most times they fight us vigorously.

About a few weeks ago, some of our senior colleagues and commanders were killed by these sea pirates in this region. We were mobilized again to go to the communities of the perpetrators and fish them out.

Everyone from this area can attest to the fact that it was a risky bargain going into battle with the bad guys of this riverine region. As the saying goes "everyone is a king in his homeland". And worst of all these men had charms to protect them from gunshots. It was a risky battle that ended well for us though.

I have come to the conclusion that risks are part of life, and sometimes we would have no other option but to just take the risk, regardless of the dangers associated and the mental trauma it may cause to us and our family members.

I would just end this piece here by praying that "your risk for a better tomorrow wouldn't be cut off before you reach that tomorrow.

All images used in this post are mine.

I appreciate your time around here❤️:-)