Posted by By EJIKE UMUNNABUIKE, Gombe on
Late Nicholas Garba and Fatsuma Bome-Garba had, on November 7, 2004, satisfied the Biblical injunction that a man and a woman would leave their parents and come together in marriage as one spiritual body.
Late Nicholas Garba and Fatsuma Bome-Garba had, on November 7, 2004, satisfied the Biblical injunction that a man and a woman would leave their parents and come together in marriage as one spiritual body.
Like any other newly wedded couple, late Nicholas Garba, 30 and Fatsuma Bome-Garba, 27, had drawn up their future plans on how best to live a normal life and face up to the challenges of daily living.
They never had any premonitions about the impending disaster that would befall them.
But as early as 6.00 am on Tuesday morning, of November 9, 2004, they set out for a long journey from their sleepy Biliri, Gombe State local community for Lagos, only to be trapped by the cold hands of death.
Like the choking influence of a harsh hurricane wind, the wicked pangs of death were most unkind to them, sniffing life out of them unceremoniously, alongside two other occupants of the motor vehicle in which they were travelling at about 9.00 pm along the Abuja - Lokoja federal highway.
The dreams of the couple were gone forever. Their wishes for a blissful conjugal living and experience denied fruition, leaving very heavy emotive feelings of grief and mourning, in the hearts of those they left behind.
Their death is still a bitter talk of the town in Gombe State, particularly among family members, relatives and well-wishers who either knew them or heard about their sad end.
Daily Sun travelled to Biliri community in the Biliri Local Government Council of Gombe State to capture the sad but painful experiences and lasting impressions of Mrs. Hassan Bitrus, a hotelier and sister-in-law to the groom who, until his untimely death, was a serving soldier in Lagos, while the wife, late Mrs. Fatsuma Bome-Garba, served as a hospital staff in Alkaleri Local Government Council of Bauchi State.
Wedding preparation
It wasn't easy making arrangements for the wedding. This is because the late husband was not given enough time from the office by the military authorities in Lagos. So the family members became fully engaged in the wedding preparations. And lots of people were around to witness the eventful outing. We thank God for what has happened. We thank God because, He is the only one that would console us for what has happened.
Last call
Yes. At about 7.00 pm on that fateful day, the accident took place, the groom's elder sister, Mrs. Comfort Andewase, married to a Tiv man and a staff of NEPA Transmission Office, Gombe, called him and spoke with him on his cellphone. And he told her that their journey was successful and that they were approaching Abuja Federal Capital Territory. The last comment he made was that the family members should take thanksgiving offering to the local church in Bangamje village, where their wedding took place on behalf of himself and his wife. He promised to call their elder sister, Comfort, as soon as they get to Lagos. These were his last words on earth to the family. But neither him nor the wife lived to make the call.
Premonition
The late Nicholas Garba was not too well before his death. Though he was so excited that he was getting married, he wasn't so active the way we knew him to be. After the wedding, he showed gratitude to every one in the family and all the well-wishers who witnessed his wedding. He played with people, made jokes and was extremely friendly with all and sundry. He begged for forgiveness from everybody whom he may have offended in life.
For instance, late Nicholas Garba joked with the late wife, Mrs. Fatsuma Bome-Garba, to always engage herself in cooking tuwon cinkafa (rice fufu) for him and his friends when they got to Lagos in the Army Baracks.
Bride's remarks
She said while responding to the admonition of family members/relatives and friends that she will always dedicate herself in cooking for her and taking care of her beloved husband.