Chapter 3: Panic and Prayer

Amara Nworie murder alone na big wahala, but with another family gone, Danladi Garba chest heavy die.

He rub forehead, “Which kind wahala be this?” Officers dey tense, some dey call house check their own people.

Danladi order make dem seal floors where crime happen. Police begin search everywhere, determined not to miss clue.

Yellow tape cross all corners, officers check every window, cupboard, even under stairs. Dem collect fingerprint, sample blood, snap everything from broken cup to loose button.

National Film Institute—palace of art—suddenly turn fear ground. Gist and rumour dey fly, inside and outside campus.

For canteen, students dey whisper. Some swear say dem see strange man, others say “Na spiritual attack!” Some dey carry holy water for pocket.

Wetin be killer motive?

Everywhere, people dey ask—“Na jealousy? Na money? Or something wey pass our eye?” Nobody wan stay late for class again.

Dem dey wonder if staff, students, and family na the target.

Parents dey call pikin, “Make you come house direct, no waka anyhow.” Staff dey sign in and out for security book. Everybody dey look back two times before enter room.

No answer yet.

Even Danladi, wey dey proud say him be top detective, no fit sleep well. He dey replay clues for mind, hope say spirit of the dead go guide am.

For security, dem tighten gate, check everybody well before enter.

Chief Security Officer, Mallam Idris, dey frisk people, check ID card like club bouncer. Even lecturers dey grumble, but nobody fit vex too much.

Sorrow from victims and their family dey weigh officers down.

For police station, one officer tear small kola, drop for ground, whisper, “Make ancestors guide us for this wahala.” Another dey recite Psalm 91, others pour small libation for office corner. Town dey mourn, but work must continue.

First round forensic check bring clues:

Danladi call team, voice grave: “Check everything. No leave broomstick. This kind evil get meaning.”

Both Amara and Dr. Ibrahim house get two locks—security door and wooden door. No sign of break or force for any lock.

Danladi scratch head. "So, the person na trusted friend, or get master key. No be common thief matter." He look Jos sun as e dey set, promise never rest till justice land.

E mean killer get key or victims trust am to open door.

As night fall for Institute, police torchlights dey shine for compound, everybody dey pray: “Make God expose wicked, make tomorrow bring answer.”