Nigerian Brothers Tell Police Jussie Smollett Paid Them to Stage Attack:

Police said the two men — identified as Ola and Abel Osundairo — were captured on surveillance video at the time that Smollett said he was attacked. Both brothers apparently left Chicago on the day of the alleged attack and were detained when they returned Wednesday. Chicago detectives tore through their apartment looking for clues, and an evidence log shows they found ropes, masks and bleach.

Police had questioned the two brothers, who are of Nigerian descent and have long lived in Chicago, earlier this week after taking them into custody at O'Hare International Airport upon returning from international travel. They initially classified the brothers as suspects in the Jan. 29 attack on Smollett. They were released Friday night without charges after new evidences emerged.

Smollett initially claimed that he was attacked at 2 a.m. on Jan. 29 by two men who were wearing ski masks. He said the men were white and that they yelled “this is MAGA country,” apparently in reference to President Donald Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again.”

The brothers, Ola and Abel Osundairo, reportedly told detectives Smollett paid them $3,500 before they left for Nigeria on Jan. 29, the day the attack was reported. They were promised an additional $500 upon their return to the United States.

Smollett allegedly rehearsed the attack with the brothers before it was staged on Jan. 29. He also gave the brothers money to buy the rope, which was purchased from the Crafty Beaver Hardware Store on Jan. 25, CBS reported. The hat was bought at a beauty supply store.

Sources also told Fox 32 that the brothers told detectives that Smollett paid them for the staged attack. The broadcaster said a receipt found by the police in the brothers’ apartment indicated they bought the rope at Ace Hardware.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the older brother pleaded guilty to aggravated battery in 2012 and was sentenced to two years of probation for being one of five people who stabbed a 17-year-old in 2011. The younger brother was ticketed for driving under the influence in 2015.

The brothers appear to have moved to the United States at different times, with one attending high school here, while both attended Quincy University, a small liberal arts college in Illinois. Both owe tens of thousands of dollars in student loans. They filed for bankruptcy in 2016, saying they had a party and decoration store but it was dissolved because it was “operating at a loss.”

Smollett’s lawyers said late Feb. 16 that the actor felt “victimized” by reports that he played a role in the assault, adding that, “Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying.”

Smollett admitted to knowing one of the Nigerian brothers and his lawyers said he hired the man to help him train for a music video. Another brother has reportedly appeared in “Empire.”

A Chicago Police Department spokesperson said "detectives have additional investigative work to complete."

In a recent interview with "Good Morning America," Smollett said he was sure the men in the photo were his attackers.

"And then I see the attacker, masked. And he said, 'This is MAGA country, n*****.' Punches me right in the face. So, I punched his ass back," Smollett said. "I think what people need to hear is just the truth."

Smollett has not spoken publicly about the arrest and subsequent release of the two brothers. Earlier this week, Chicago police said Smollett was still being treated as a victim, not a suspect.

Police said on Feb. 17 that they’re seeking a follow-up interview with Smollett when the new evidence came to light after the brothers were questioned.

Omo t'ao ko, oun lo maa gbe ile taa ba ko ta nitakuta. Such children as these are synonymous with the apc members'