Rufus and Zaq are traveling down the Niger River in search of a white woman who has been kidnapped by militants. An old man and his sons, Tamuno and Michael, guide them. As they travel, they come to various villages that have been decimated and abandoned. Finally, they come to a village where the old man has a friend named Karibi. They are hoping to stay overnight there so that they may rest and Zaq can recover somewhat from his fever, which he has been suffering from for days.

After consulting with other men in the village, Karibi tells the old man that the travelers must leave because the military is coming. Rufus and Zaq ask why, and it turns out that Karibi is accused of helping the militants. The military shows up in speed boats and attacks the village, causing chaos, firing shots into the air, and hurting people. Rufus is knocked down by a fleeing woman, which inadvertently saves him from being trampled or assaulted by the soldiers. The soldiers grab Karibi while a woman villager calls out to God for help.