By Sam Nwanze
March 16th, 2026 will forever remain a dark day in the minds of many residents of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.
It was a day suicide bombers detonated their instruments of sorrow and grief in three areas of the state capital: Post Office, the Monday Market and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
When the dust cleared, twenty-three (23) people were officially confirmed dead, and one hundred and eight (108) injured as a result of the attack.
From Enugu state to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state is about 1,209 kilometres away. But the bomb blast in Maiduguri that Monday evening resonated its ugly pang in a village in Amurri, Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State where one of the victims hailed from.
His name is Samuel Orji, a 26-year old young man who was deployed to Maiduguri to serve his country under the mandatory one year national service for young Nigerian graduates.
Borno state and indeed Maiduguri the capital is home to Samuel in all ramifications. He was born there 26 years ago when the city had not lost its captivating quietness and serenity. When it was real home away from home for many non indigenes. Most of them Igbos.
Samuel was born in the city, raised there by his parents. His primary, secondary and university education were in Maiduguri.
He speaks Hausa language more than his native Igbo language. A lot of his friends in the city are from different states and backgrounds. He is said to be a very active member of the Christian community in the state on religious issues.
He is said to be well-known in his Church as a born again Christian in activities and adherence.
But all has ended in a twinkle of an eye at his twilight. He was mowed down with a bomb blasted by people whose mission is to reduce human beings to rubbles. They don’t care. They don’t mind who is going to fall under the blast of their weapon of mass destruction.
Just a bang and the bomb blast instantly executed its mission in a very curel destructive manner. And Samuel was cut in the web of suicide mission. He is gone for ever. And many others too.
On that particular suicide mission and many other such wicked missions since the Boko Haram conundrum started in 1999, many innocent Nigerians, young and old have lost their lives.
Samuel’s remains were brought home on Tuesday evening, March 24, 2026. The casket bearing his remains was wrapped on national and NYSC colours.
I live in Abuja where so many bomb blasts have been witnessed and experienced. But I never knew that the one in Maiduguri recently, far away from my village will awaken the consciousness of my people, a farming community with the reality that a booming gun somewhere and blast of a bomb in far away could be felt in the community in a heartbroken way.
When we heard that the vehicle conveying his corpse was close to our village, many people gathered in his late father’s compound in mournful mood. His mother had arrived earlier and his other siblings except the one who accompanied the corpse from Maiduguri to the village.
That evening, an emergency wake keep was arranged. As the family and entire village mourned, the sky was also gloomy. It seems it would rain. The heat has been unbearably scotchy. As the casket was placed on a stand prepared for it, mourners wept uncontrollably. Young and old. Tears ran down the cheek. Old men bent their faces down wards while women and young adults expressed their grief in different ways.
Then the rain came down heavily. For a long time my people have not seen rain. “This young man is in heaven already as the gods have confirmed through this sudden rain that came down to soften the ground to receive his body” muttered an old man near me.
The following day, Wednesday 25th was the burial. The compound was filled with sympathisers from far and near early enough for the funeral service. All wore mournful dispositions.
His colleagues, NYSC officials were there. He was layed open for people to pay their last respect. His face and body was not damaged. His leg was affected badly and we heard he died due to loss of blood because no one was on-hand to evacuate him and others to the hospital immediately. But that was hearsay. The information wasn’t authenticated by the right source.
At exactly 10.17am, the two officiating ministers Very Revd S.C.J Ukairo, Senior Presbeter and Very Revd Daniel Ede from the local and provincial Methodist Church began the funeral service.
Praise worship, sermons, testimonials about the departed and other programmes were done. The youths of the village who started digging the grave from 12.15am has completed their own assignment. It was not easy for them because the ground is still strong due to dry season.
Then the last stage came. Very touchy. His colleagues in their uniforms surrounded the casket. They gave him his last respect with the NYSC anthem and followed with the National Anthem. They gave him salute. Prayed for his soul to rest in peace.
They then took the casket to the grave side. Further prayers by the men of God and crying started again.
He was lowered at exactly 12.44pm. And covered with sands. The lot of every human being. The agents of death has done their worst. But God knows why it happened.
Some people who spoke at the funeral oration including this writer, a one time Youth Corp Member who spoke on behalf of his kinsmen, pleaded with the federal government to take the issue of Corp Members security very seriously or they should be allowed to serve where they choose.
They lamented that a lot of Corpers have been kidnapped on their way to the place of posting, huge ransom paid and some didn’t come out alive. Some died due to accidents on the road and others like Samuel through bomb blast by suicide bombers.
They called on the government to take a second look at the policy with a view of possible modifications.
It was time to leave. A lot of people felt so cold that they couldn’t take ordinary water nor soft drinks provided.
The did has been done with maximum effect. Leaving his immediate family, his mother, siblings and close relatives in confusion and agony.
Chief Nwanze a journalist, is a media consultant based in Abuja and Editor-in-chief of the Igbo Book of Records.
