He beckons to a mallam, which is what Lagosians call the Hausa Muslim gatekeepers.
NEWYORKER: Baptizing the Gun
2.
The mallam smiles heartily and declines the money, saying his help is free.
NEWYORKER: Baptizing the Gun
3.
The mallam removes his radio from his shoulder as delicately as if it were a parrot, and comes over, barefoot, his long white gown sweeping the ground.