The next morning arrived with an eerie stillness. Even the birds seemed hesitant to sing, as if the air itself was waiting. The usual chaos of dormitory life was muted. Juniors dressed quickly and silently, whispers darting between them like nervous spirits.
Kalu Egbe felt it too—a tension that pressed against his chest. Nedu, tying his torn sandals, looked up. "Today go be different. I fit feel am."
Kalu nodded. "The new principal?"
"Dem say him dey come now-now. Gate don open wide."
Outside, the parade ground filled. Teachers stood in stiff lines, murmuring among themselves. Senior students lounged at the back, unconcerned.
Suddenly, the sound of an engine echoed through the compound. Heads turned. A black Toyota Hilux rolled to a stop at the gate. The doors opened.
A tall, broad-chested man stepped out, wearing dark sunglasses and a faded brown coat. His face was carved from stone, beard peppered with grey. Mr. Ogbemi.
He surveyed the school with a soldier's eye, unblinking.
Behind him, three other men emerged, quiet and alert. They carried no weapons, but their stance, their eyes—everything about them screamed readiness.
Whispers rippled through the students.
"Na him?"
"I hear say him no dey smile."
"A real soldier o."
A teacher approached nervously. "Sir... welcome."
Ogbemi nodded. "Where's the staff room?"
"Right this way..."
"No need. Assemble the students. Now."
Minutes later, the entire school stood in rows. Mr. Ogbemi walked to the front.
His voice was low, but carried power. "I am Mr. Ogbemi, your new principal. I do not give second warnings. I do not fear noise. I only respect order."
He scanned the seniors, pausing at Presso, who stared back coolly.
Ogbemi continued, "This school has rotted. I smell it. I see it. That ends today."
A murmur spread. Teachers shifted. Seniors exchanged glances.
Kalu watched the staff. Some teachers nodded quickly, others stared at the ground. A few looked afraid. Kalu's mind raced. So even the teachers dey fear this man?
"From now, any hand raised to harm another will answer to me. I have eyes everywhere. I have ears where you cannot see."
He gestured to the three men behind him. "These are my staff. Respect them as you respect your life."
One of the men stepped forward slightly. His face bore a scar, his eyes cold. The students tensed.
Presso smirked. "Na movie we dey watch?"
But Mr. Ogbemi heard him. "You. Step forward."
Presso hesitated. "Me?"
"Name."
"Precious Akande."
Ogbemi's eyes narrowed. "We will speak later."
A hush fell over the assembly. Kalu's heart pounded.
Later, as students returned to class, the whispers continued.
"You see the scar for that man face?"
"Dem no bring cane, but dem look like cane go fear them."
Nedu grinned. "Maybe this principal go stay. Maybe we fit sleep tonight."
In another corner of the school, Presso sat with Dankaka and Big Mouth.
"This man dey find trouble," Big Mouth muttered.
Presso's eyes narrowed. "Let him try. Na FGC we dey. Soldier or not, we still run things."
Dankaka said nothing. He just cracked his knuckles.
Kalu wasn't sure, but he allowed himself a small hope.
Maybe, just maybe, change had come.
To be continued...