October 1

A police inspector summoned by the British to investigate a string of rapes and murders in Akote. He discerns a serial killer’s pattern and pursues the case with methodical discipline, all while navigating competing political pressures. Waziri embodies determination and a tension between duty to justice and loyalty to colonial authorities.

A university-educated prince who is admired by the villagers as a symbol of progress. He socializes with friends at the village bar and becomes a focal point of the investigation. Behind his public image, he carries the weight of past abuses that shape his approach to power and danger.

A childhood friend of Aderopo, part of the social circle that reflects the village’s changing norms. She observes the investigation and embodies resilience in a community under strain. Tawa’s perspective highlights the personal impact of the violence and the pursuit of truth.

The village chief priest who issues warnings that the killings will continue until the killer is satisfied. He represents traditional authority trying to maintain order amid fear. His role underscores the friction between ritual power and modern justice.

The deputy who temporarily leads the investigation after Waziri; he trails the killer and is killed in the pursuit. His role marks the dangers faced by enforcers who confront a violence that outpaces institutional response. Omolodun’s death intensifies the sense of peril surrounding the case.

Igbo father of the murdered girl who helps mobilize the community to pursue justice. He embodies communal grief and the urge to protect family honor in a volatile setting. His actions reflect the ethnic tensions that complicate the investigation.

The village priest whose past abuse of Aderopo and others is revealed, illuminating how power and exploitation persist under the cover of religious authority. His presence ties the case to a history of manipulation and moral ambiguity. Dowling’s role helps explain the roots of the violence and trauma.

Afonja serves as Waziri’s deputy. He assists in the investigation and represents the local security apparatus under colonial oversight. His involvement shows how local police dynamics interact with broader political constraints.