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“Steers it is,” he answered. “But next time it will be somewhere fancy … after sunset.” He looked at her. “There will be a next time?” “Yes.” She wanted to tell him she loved him there and then. She had to hold the words in before they came bursting out. No, she would wait until they were somewhere romantic … at night. Chapter 6 It was easy, Busi told herself. When you wanted to do something, it was easy. And she wanted to be with Parks. That afternoon, after they had been to Steers in Wynberg, he drove her up the leafy roads in Constantia. One of her granny’s friends worked there for a rich lady. But it was the first time Busi had seen such huge houses, except on The Bold and The Beautiful. “For one family! Can you believe it?” Parks said. “Stick with me, baby, and one day it will be my BMW parked in that driveway. And it will be you getting out of it.” “Really, Parks?” she said. “Is that what you’d like?” “Yes. But I wouldn’t paint our house that colour. And I’d prefer a Mini Cooper.” He roared with laughter. It made her happy to think that he found her funny. He took her over to Hout Bay, then on to Camps Bay. Some of her friends had been there. They had told her about the models they’d seen being photographed under the palm trees. “Not as curvaceous, or as bootilicious, as you,” Parks flattered her. “Don’t you have to be anywhere?” Busi asked him. He didn’t seem to have a care in the world. “I told you, I’m my own boss,” he laughed. “The only person who can tell me where to be and when, is me.” And when his cell phone rang, he switched it off. Next stop was the Waterfront, where they went window shopping. Parks bought her a necklace with a locket on it. “Now all you need is a photo of me inside,” he joked. “Would you keep it safe?” “Very safe,” she said, looking into his eyes. He gave her a lingering kiss, then took her hand as they strolled down the mall together, her locket shimmering silver around her neck. A woman stopped to stare. Busi knew why. Here was a young girl in school uniform kissing an older man. So what, she didn’t care what anyone thought. They didn’t understand. * * * On the way home Parks pulled over into a lay-by and they kissed. He told Busi that he was looking forward to more, but only when she was ready. He would never force her. He wasn’t like that. “I can’t wait to see you out of your school clothes,” he said as he dropped her off. “Will you dream of me tonight?” “Yes … sweet dreams,” she promised. As she lay in bed she smiled. The locket was around her neck, hidden under her nightie, close to her heart. He said he couldn’t wait to see her out of her school clothes. Well, he would. She had an idea. It was so simple, but so clever it made her laugh. And it would work – she was sure of it. She wanted to please him, and school was so boring. She didn’t need Lettie and Asanda asking her where she was all the time, or Unathi following her around like a bodyguard. When she woke up the next morning she packed her casual clothes in her school bag. After breakfast she kissed her granny goodbye and headed for the taxi rank. But as soon as she got around the corner she ducked into the toilets at Jake’s Tavern and changed. She re- emerged in jeans and a cute top. Then she rang Parks. So easy! “Any time,” he had told her. And he had given her airtime so she could call him whenever she felt like it – day or night. He was there in five minutes. * * * Over the next few days Parks wined and dined Busi. She ate food she had never tasted before in fancy restaurants. He would leave the taxi with that idiot gaadjie as they wandered hand in hand through town. Parks told her about his big dreams and ideals. Most of the time he was in a good mood … except for when he took calls on his cell phone. Then he would walk away so that she couldn’t hear him. But she could tell from his body language, the way he stood all hunched over with his fists clenched, that he was angry. And once he’d turned his taxi around just as they had set off, and dropped her back near her house. “Business,” he’d said. When she didn’t see him, she missed him all day. But then he would always be back the next morning. The third time she bunked school he took her up to the forest. The gaadjie wasn’t there and they lay on the back seat and kissed and cuddled. When she got home she told her granny that she was studying after school for exams. And her grandmother was pleased. It was their joke – Parks’s and hers. Lettie and Asanda SMSed her. r u ok? wer u bn? Ndiyagula. oh! gt wel sn. They didn’t know how much fun she was having. She had another life and it was better than anything they had. She was just sad it had to be a secret. She wanted to tell them about the crayfish she ate and the perfume he bought her. She wanted to boast about the man she was dating and how good life could be. He was going to take her to a hotel for the night. “Don’t be frightened,” he said. “I’ll be gentle. You’ll see. You’ll love it.”

“Well, call us if you get lonely after school.” * * * It was no use pretending that she was working in class. She hadn’t written a line since she got to school. When the Maths teacher, Ma’am Ratsibe, walked around the class checking their homework, Busi hid the page she had been writing on under her arm. “I left my Maths book at home,” she lied. She didn’t want the teacher to see what she had drawn on the page of her workbook – a heart with their names inside it. It was foolish, she told herself. She would never see Parks again. It had been one wonderful afternoon. That was all. But she couldn’t help hoping that he would be there again, waiting at the gate after school. All she could think of was the feeling of his lips on hers. She was bubbling over like the champagne they drank. Every few minutes she looked out of the classroom window to see if he was there, waiting. But the road was empty. It was too early, she told herself. He would come later. * * * When the final siren went all the students pushed to get out of the gates and into the taxis. The drivers were the bullies of the road, hooting and shoving to get in front of each other. She searched for Parks’s taxi. But he wasn’t there and her heart sank. She couldn’t wait again – not with Unathi around watching her every move. So she decided to walk home. It wasn’t that far, and she would save the taxi fare. She could buy herself something nice with the money – some lip gloss for when she next saw Parks. She would show him that she wasn’t a silly little schoolgirl. She watched as the taxis left one by one, bursting with schoolkids crushed together. School ties came off and shirts were pulled out and hung loosely over the guys’ pants as they got comfortable on the way home. She waited until the last of them had gone and then she started to walk, really slowly, down the road. But she got only a few paces when she heard a familiar voice. “Do you want me to carry your bag?” Unathi was there again, following her like a lame dog. She was angry now. Why couldn’t he leave her alone? “Why didn’t you take the taxi?” he asked. “Why didn’t you?” she answered. “To save the fare,” he said. But she knew that wasn’t the reason. He was looking out for her. And she wished he wouldn’t. “To go to Jozi to see your girlfriend?” “I’m telling you, I haven’t got a girlfriend. Thumi and I broke up. Why won’t you girls get it? The way you go on, anyone would think mna ndingudlalani.” “Aren’t you?” As she spoke she kept looking up and down the street for Parks. “You waiting for someone?” Unathi asked. When she didn’t answer he reached out and took her bag, heavy with books. “I’ll walk you home. It’s not safe to walk alone.” What if Parks saw her walking with Unathi? What if he thought Unathi was her boyfriend? Would he drive on? “Oh,” she said, pretending to have just remembered something. “Yhini Bawo,I forgot, I was supposed to stay behind to get help with my Maths. You go on ahead.” “I can help you.” “Thanks, but Ma’am Ratsibe is waiting,” she said. “She’s expecting me and I’ve already been in detention twice for not handing in my homework.” Unathi looked at her strangely, then handed back her bag and turned and walked away. * * * Busi ran back through the school gates. She waited until he had gone around the corner before she went back out onto the street. Her watch said two forty-five. He wasn’t coming. Why would he? But then she heard that familiar, thump, thump, thump of the bass beat pounding out onto the road through the open windows of Parks’s taxi and her heart leapt. And when Parks pulled up next to her she went straight up, put her head through the window and kissed him. It was so bold, so brave. It made her feel like a grown-up. And he kissed her back. “I’m in luck,” he said, a big grin on his face. “I thought it was too late. I thought I’d missed you. To think, if I had come five minutes later you might have gone. Now get in, I’m hungry.” “Khentakhi?” she laughed. She was so happy. “Let’s try some place new,” he said, as she looked back expecting to see the gaadjie. But today they were alone. “He was annoying me,” laughed Parks. “I dropped him at the last traffic light. I booted him out. He’s probably lying on the pavement right now.” “Serious? You kicked him out of the taxi?” “No, I’m just teasing you. I like teasing you.” He winked at her. “I like kissing you too.” As they drove he reached over, opened the cubbyhole and took out a CD, “Hey, I got you some new music.” He slid the CD into the player. It was Ringo – the musician she had told him about when they were at the beach. “Sithandwa sam …,” she sang along. “You like it?” “I like it!” The fear had gone. She had been stupid to be nervous of him. Now it felt like they had known each other forever. “Now, where are we going for lunch? You can pick anywhere. Remember I’m not just a taxi driver. I’m also an entrepreneur,” he laughed. “Money is no object.” But Busi didn’t know any of the fancy places. She knew KFC and Steers. That was all. And they had been to KFC. “Steers,” she said.

* * * They were heading out of the township now and onto the freeway that led down to the coast. “Aren’t you hot?” he asked her. “In that gear, I mean.” Busi looked down at her school soccer shirt. She was feeling hot in it. She shouldn’t be shy about taking it off. As she pulled it over her head, revealing the skimpy T-shirt she had on underneath, she felt him watching her. It made her tummy flutter with excitement. She wound down the taxi window. That was better, cooler. The wind rushed in around her and she put her head back and laughed. Parks laughed too, pleased that she was so happy. “Good,” he said. “You shouldn’t hide what you should be sharing. Now, where would you like to go?” Chapter 4 “Take me somewhere nice,” Busi said. She didn’t want to go home. There was nothing for her at home. “I think it’s beach weather. You been to the beach?” Parks asked as he weaved between cars, then accelerated into the fast lane. “You ever get out of thatdump you call home?”She shook her head. He was right. Their shack was small and cramped and cold. “Well, you deserve it, girl. Let me treat you.” Busi had only been to the beach twice in her life. Once, when she was six, her mom and dad had taken her to Monwabisi. She had built a huge sandcastle and played in the waves. It was New Year’s Day and the beach was packed. Then in Grade 7 the school had taken her class down to Muizenberg on an outing. Twice – in her entire life. And she lived so close to the sea. “Beach weather,” Parks said again. “Wat sê jy?” he called to the gaadjie in the back. “Beega, beega, make the circle beega,” the guard sang. Uyaphara. What was it – dagga, tik? His brain was fried, that was for sure. “You’re right, Parks,” she said, feeling braver now, “It is beach weather.” “That’s my girl,” he said and took her hand. She felt the thrill of his skin against hers. “What are you thinking?” Parks said, smiling at Busi. It was so easy for her to talk to him. He wasn’t awkward when he spoke to her, like the boys at school. Talking to him was like chatting to one of her girlfriends. When she couldn’t think of anything to say he filled the gap. “I was thinking about you – about the way you make me feel so good,” she said. “That’s because I’m a man who has money and treats his women well.” He sped up. They were nearing the sea. She could smell it. “This is only pocket money, driving this taxi. My other businesses, that’s where the real money is. You don’t get that if you’re a fool.” Respectful, intelligent, handsome … She had hit the jackpot! But every kilometre on the clock was a kilometre further away from her home, her granny, and her friends. And she was out of airtime! “It’s okay. I’ll get you home before dark,” he reassured her. “We wouldn’t want your granny to worry now.” So he knew she was anxious. He knew what she was thinking. That’s what true love was, wasn’t it? You didn’t have to say anything. You just understood each other. She didn’t stop to wonder how he knew that she lived with her granny. “We’ll stop at KFC. We can’t go to the beach hungry.” “I am hungry,” laughed Busi. “I could eat a horse.” “That’s what I like to hear.” His chuckle was low and rich. “I’m glad you’re not one of those girls who don’t eat. I like my women curvaceous.” He put his hand on her thigh and gave it a squeeze. “Don’t give a man scrawny chicken wings when it’s juicy meat he wants.” So he liked the way she looked. And it gave her secret pleasure thinking that Lettie wasn’t his type. He wouldn’t look twice at her. She was skinny and her chest was flat as a pancake. And Asanda, well she would annoy him with her constant questions and jokes. No, it was herthat he wanted – Busi. Just then her cell glowed and she let out an, “Oh!” It was Lettie. Why had Lettie SMSed her, just when Busi was thinking bad thoughts about her? She turned around. Stupid, she thought, how could she be in the taxi with me? Wats up? Wer u @? “My friends are looking for me,” she told Parks. “So call them,” Parks answered, turning the volume down. “I can’t,” Busi laughed. “Where must I get the airtime? And anyway, I’m sick of them wanting to know where I am all the time.” Parks put his hand on her thigh again. “They just care about you,” he said. “And I can see why. You’re special. I care about you too. I’ll buy you airtime, my baby. I told you, I treat my girls well.” She liked that. She liked being called his baby. It gave her a warm feeling. Nobody had bought her airtime before. She had always had to earn the money to buy it. This was so much easier. She closed her eyes and put her head back and let the music carry her away. * * * Parks was true to his word. He stopped and got Khentakhi to take to the beach – a Streetwise Feast. And not just R29 airtime – R110! She had never had so much before. How could she thank him? “Aren’t you going to call your friends now?” he teased her. They were coming up to Sunrise Circle. She could see the beach. “Later,” she said. She liked the way it sounded so casual and grown-up. She didn’t want to be a silly schoolgirl with him, on the cell to her friends all the time, talking nonsense about boys and stuff that wasn’t important. No, phoning Lettie and Asanda was the last thing she wanted to do right now.

Chapter 3 “Something’s happened to you,” Asanda said at school the next morning. “Not that I know of,” Busi lied. They were trying to finish their homework before the siren went off, and it was Busi’s turn to press her book against Asanda’s back. “You could’ve fooled me,” Asanda went on. If there was anyone who could read people, it was Asanda. She always knew when something was going on with Busi – she would have to be careful. Asanda knew her too well. She could tell that Busi had a secret she wasn’t sharing. And Busi wasn’t ready for Asanda to know – not Asanda, or Lettie, or anybody for that matter. They might spoil it for her. They might try to stop her from seeing Parks. “Is something wrong? Are you upset because we were in the talent show? I know it must be difficult for you. You know you can tell me anything.” Asanda sounded concerned. “I do know that,” said Busi. “Good! Now, can you hurry up? My back’s going to break. I feel like a donkey.” “Finished!” Busi announced, shutting her Maths book. “Phew! At last!” Asanda replied, stretching. “Did you do number 5? It was so hard. I felt like my brain was exploding.” “I left it out,” said Busi. “Why don’t you ask Unathi to help you? He told me he finished all of them. You know how clever he is,” said Asanda, as Lettie came up and joined them. “Yes, Busi. You’re the only one he’d give answers to. If you asked nicely, of course,” Lettie chipped in. “I swear he just doesn’t know how to tell Busi that he likes her,” Asanda laughed. “What happened to his girlfriend in Jozi?” said Busi. Last term she had caught Unathi staring at a photo of a very pretty girl and she had been filled with jealousy. It seemed like such a long time ago. Things had changed so fast. Everything was different now. “You know how people talk,” Lettie said, “Don’t believe everything they say about Unathi.” “I won’t,” replied Busi. “And I won’t believe anything that Unathi says. Anyway, I’m not into boys.” “Oh?” Asanda and Lettie said together. “It’s like that, hey?” Busi hadn’t meant to say anything. She shouldn’t have opened her big mouth. “No, I’m not into boys … I’m into men.” She tried to sound casual. “Men? So Harmony High boys aren’t good enough for you any more?” Luckily the siren went off before their interrogation could begin. “Don’t forget. I’ll meet you at the gate after school for soccer practice,” Lettie reminded her as they went upstairs to class. “If you’re not too busy chasing M- E-N!” Asanda teased. * * * When the final siren went Busi was the first out of the school gates. She waited for Lettie and Asanda. She decided to go to soccer and even changed into her soccer gear. If she was going to see Parks, she would have to be careful. She would have to make sure that her friends didn’t find out. And if she missed soccer today they would become suspicious. But Mr Ntlanti made Asanda and Lettie help him carry books back to the storeroom after class. She was alone at the gate waiting for them when she heard loud music from a car radio. She recognised Busi Mhlongo’s Zithini iziswe. Her heart skipped a beat as Parks’s taxi turned the corner and cruised to a stop next to her. She looked down at her soccer gear. Oh no, she thought, he can’t see me like this. I look like a guy in this gear, not the pretty girl he said I was yesterday. If only I was wearing my netball clothes. But it was too late to run back and change into the short skirt that showed off her legs. Parks opened the door and she got in – like she knew she would. She looked back quickly. “Let’s go,” she said, not wanting her friends to see her leaving in his taxi. “In a hurry today?” Parks teased. “Not the shy girl of yesterday!” And then, seeing her worried expression, he added, “I’m not complaining! I like assertive girls. Assertive and sporty!” There was a wheezy cackle from the back of the taxi. It was the gaadjie. Today he was awake, if you could call it that. He reminded her of those boys she had seen under the bridge, with that spaced-out look from sniffing glue. It was like their bodies were present but their minds were somewhere far away. The gaadjie was lost in the music that pumped from the speakers. He swayed back and forth to the beat. But when Busi looked at him he stuck his tongue out at her. She quickly turned to the front. He gave her the creeps. “Thula wena!”Parks shouted. The gaadjie stopped. “He knows who’s boss, but he’s crazy,” laughed Parks. “Remind me to get rid of him.” Busi didn’t want him there, leering at her. It would be so much better if it were just the two of them. “Doesn’t he put the customers off?” she asked Parks, whose taxi was empty again today. It was strange – usually the taxis around Harmony High were packed. Parks laughed. “I’m off today,” he said. “I came here just for you.” Then he gave her that easy, sexy smile and Busi felt her heart beat faster. As they turned the corner Busi looked back to see Lettie and Asanda at the gate searching up and down the road for her. She could have jumped out then. But she didn’t. “Why are you so nervous?” asked Parks. “Relax. I’m sure they’ll find a sub for you. On the other hand it will be tough replacing someone as cute and sporty as you are …” He changed the music to something slow and soft. “I’m flattered. Do you know that? I’m flattered that you’ve chosen me. I’d have thought all the boys would be after such a sexy girl.” Busi blushed as she thought of Unathi. He wouldn’t even know what to say to Parks. Unathi knew nothing of the world outside his street. Parks was a man. He had seen the world, and Busi wanted to see it too. Her life had suddenly got a lot bigger than Harmony High.

“Yes,” said Busi, trying to see if her granny believed her. “Thank you.” “I was feeling ill myself earlier. I went to the clinic. On the way back I passed some friends of yours from Harmony High. That boy, the nice one, greeted me. You know, the one who helped me carry my shopping that time.” “Unathi?” “That’s it.” Her face lit up, remembering. “He told me you weren’t at school. He was worried, Busi.” Busi thought of how, not so long ago, she had written love letters to Unathi. And how upset she had been when he returned them unopened. He seemed so cool and sexy and all she wanted was to be his girlfriend. But now that she had met Parks, Unathi seemed so young and inexperienced – such a boy. Now she had met a real man. “Why should Unathi worry?” said Busi quickly. “He doesn’t really care about me.” “No? That’s not how it seemed to me.” “What did they say at the clinic, Gogo?” Busi asked, trying to change the subject. “Are you sick? Did they give you something to make you better?” “It’s just my blood pressure. I forgot to take my pills.” “I can help you to remember to take them, Gogo. I can even get a pill box for you. Asanda’s granny has one. It has a place where you put the pills for every day of the week. You can easily see if you have forgotten one.” “That sounds like a very clever thing. Thank you, Busi,” her granny said, taking her hand. “You know something, my child? I like to have you living here with me. I am lucky to have such a kind granddaughter.” Busi smiled and hugged her. “I’m sorry it’s sometimes boring for you,” her granny continued. “But I am blessed that you are such a good girl. I know you would never do anything stupid. Utata Nomama abanangxaki. They have nothing to worry about.” She looked at Busi closely. What did her parents care what happened to her, Busi thought. They had left her here with her grandmother. When last had they phoned her? It was easier for them without her. Hadn’t she heard her mother tell their neighbour that she wished she hadn’t had a baby so young; that Busi had ruined her chances in life? “I’ll go get us some meat for supper,” Busi said. “Before it gets too late.” “Come straight home,” her granny cautioned. Out on the street she felt better. Her head felt clearer. It had been dangerous climbing out of the window and getting into Parks’s taxi – dangerous, but exciting at the same time. She was lucky, she told herself. Things could have gone differently. He could have taken her away, raped her and left her for dead in a ditch somewhere. It had been dangerous. But she knew she would do it again. She heard a shout from the end of the road. It was Lettie and Unathi. They were waving. She waved back. This time when she came up to Lettie she gave her a big hug. “Well done for winning best dancer in the talent show. Mtsalane!” she said. And she was surprised to find that she really meant it. Suddenly it didn’t matter so much that her friends were popular. Now she had something of her own. Something exciting that her friends didn’t share. She had her own thrilling secret – and his name was Parks. “Where did you go?” Unathi asked her. “Why does it matter to you?” Busi said cheekily. “It doesn’t really,” he shrugged. “So, why are you asking?” “Mr Ntlanti wanted to know where you were. I told him you had stomach cramps,” said Lettie. “Phew, thanks,” Busi said. “Didyou have stomach cramps?” Unathi questioned her. “Yes, I did. Do you think I’m lying?” she snapped. “How come you didn’t tell anyone that you were sick?” He wouldn’t leave it alone. He was like a dog with a bone. “Enough with the questions,” joked Lettie, seeing Busi’s face. “Uyadika!”Then, as Unathi walked away, she said quietly, “It’s just because he likes you.” “He has a funny way of showing it,” Busi replied. Where was he last term when I liked him, she thought? With another girl! Busi had bad luck with boys. She thought of Ebenezer. She had dated him until that day when they’d had a terrible fight. He’d pushed her and she had fallen hard onto the tar behind the sports shed. At the sound of her screaming, Asanda and Ntombi had come running and Ebenezer had fled, leaving her with a broken arm. Parks was different, she told herself. He was a gentleman, and so funny and good-looking. He had taken her home when she had asked him to and offered her free rides in his taxi. “Are you coming to soccer tomorrow afternoon?” Lettie asked, interrupting Busi’s daydream. She put her arm around Busi’s shoulders. “You’re the best goalie our team has ever had,” she coaxed. “You know how we lose when you’re not there.” “Maybe.” “We can take the taxi together. I’ll wait outside the gate after school.” “Sure,” said Busi. But as she walked back with the meat for supper, she wasn’t so sure she would be going to soccer. She found herself thinking about Parks again. She couldn’t get him out of her head. Why had he come past Harmony High? Why had he changed his taxi route that day?

So he was rich, good-looking and clever. But she shouldn’t be letting him drive her around like this. And she didn’t have taxi fare. “Never talk to strangers, Busi.” That’s what her granny always told her. “And if you are in trouble, call me. Day or night. Uyandiva?” “Ewe, Makhulu. Ndiyakuva,” she always replied. And here she was talking to a stranger and letting him drive her who-knows-where. She didn’t even know his name. “Parks,” he said, as if he had read her thoughts. “My name’s Thando, but my friends call me Parks.” He reached over to shake her hand. His hand was warm … and he held hers a little too long. “What’s your name, pretty girl?” “Busi,” she said. Then she heard a rasping cough from the back of the taxi. She had thought they were alone. Swinging around, she saw a man lying across the back seat. Dirty jeans and a filthy old T-shirt covered his thin body. He coughed again and his whole body shook. Then he spat phlegm out onto his hand and wiped it over his pants. It was disgusting. “Don’t worry about him,” Parks said. “He’s got a problem. I’ll have to get a new gaadjie soon.” She wouldn’t look back again, not even if the gaadjiespoke, she thought. “So, what are you going to tell your teachers when they ask where you were?” asked Parks, as he pulled into a garage to get petrol. “I’ll tell them I’m not well,” Busi said. Right now that was true. She was feeling car sick from the petrol fumes and the thought of the gaadjie on the back seat. When the tank was full Parks asked her, “So, where do you want to go?” And then, “Don’t look so frightened. I’m not going to kidnap you.” “Home,” she said quickly, suddenly fearful of what she had done. “Can you take me home?” “Of course.” He stared at her for a minute. “I mean, if that’s what you want?” She couldn’t look at him; she just nodded. “Here,” she said when they got to her street. She pointed to a house a block away from their shack. The last thing she wanted was for her granny to see her arriving in a strange taxi with a man old enough to be her father. She didn’t stop to think why Parks hadn’t asked her for directions, how he knew where she lived. “Bye, sweetie.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be watching out for you. How does a free ride sound sometime?” “Good,” she said, uncertainly. Chapter 2 Busi stood outside the shack where she lived with her granny. She had to get her story straight before she went in. Her grandmother would ask her a hundred questions. Where were you? Why weren’t you at school? She would say that she had stomach cramps. Her granny would believe that. But when she finally opened the door and went inside, she wasn’t there. Something was wrong. Her grandmother was old and didn’t get out much. She went to the clinic on Wednesdays and she had umgalelowith her friends on Fridays. But today was Monday – she should be at home. Busi went out into the yard to check if she had fallen. But the yard was empty. If she went to ask the neighbours, rumours would fly. No, she would wait a while and see if her granny came home. Perhaps she had gone to visit a friend. If she came back after three o’clock she would never know that Busi had come home early. It was cold lying on her bed. Their shack was dimly lit and an icy wind was blowing through a hole in the zinc sheeting. They would have to fix it before the winter rains. If only they had more money. Her mother and father had gone to Jozi to look for better jobs, but they hadn’t sent any money back. Then she thought of Parks with his fleet of taxis. He was rich, and he liked her. He made her feel like a queen and he wasn’t awkward like the boys at school. Yes, that was the difference. They were boys and Parks was a man. She thought of his smile. What she had done was dangerous – she knew that. If she saw him again she would just keep walking. But what if he stopped and opened the taxi door? What would she do then? Parks had joked about kidnapping her. But it happened every day. She read The Sun. There were so many photos of children who had gone missing. She remembered one little girl’s trusting face. Her name was Cheryl and she disappeared the day before Christmas. She left to go to the shop and never returned. Where were those missing boys and girls? But Parks had taken her home when she’d asked him to, and he had opened the door for her. He was a gentleman. Busi fell asleep and dreamed of him. * * * When she woke up it was already late in the afternoon. She could smell the wood smoke from fires in the street, and the sweet smell of roasting meat on the fire drums. Then she heard the familiar sound of her grandmother’s cough, and the clatter of dishes. “I wondered if you were going to sleep until tomorrow,” her granny said when Busi pushed back the blanket that separated the bedroom from the kitchen. She wasn’t sure when her grandmother had returned. She wasn’t sure if she knew that she had missed school. “I was feeling ill,” she said, to be safe. “I came home early.” “I know.” Her grandmother put her hand against Busi’s forehead. “Are you feeling any better now?”

“Let’s give a round of applause for our dream team. We are proud to have three such talented students at Harmony High. They are going to go on to do great things!” Busi had never seen Principal Khumalo so excited. “Ntombi paved the way for Harmony High with the Teen Voice Competition. Now her two friends are proving that they are just as talented.” His words made Busi sick. She was Ntombi’s friend too – her third forgotten friend. There were more announcements – about the soccer game that weekend and the extra lessons that were being offered after school. One of the teachers found a pair of underpants in the girls’ toilets. “Could the person responsible please come forward,” the teacher said. The girls in front of her giggled. They were so childish, thought Busi. She couldn’t wait for assembly to end. Once the teachers left the hall everyone crowded around Ntombi, Lettie and Asanda, wanting to be their new “best friend”. When Lettie turned and smiled and waved at Busi, she couldn’t smile back. She picked up her bag and pushed her way to the back of the hall, where she told a prefect that she needed the bathroom. “ Now,” she said. The prefect nodded. * * * In the girls’ toilets she stared at herself in the mirror. “Why?” she asked her reflection. “Why are you so useless? Why are you so ugly? Why aren’t you talented like your friends?” Tears welled up in her eyes. The clapping in assembly finally stopped. She dried her tears and washed her face. But she wasn’t ready to go back into the hall. What she needed was a way out. And there it was. One of the windows in the bathroom had been taken out to be fixed. She could see the blue sky through it. Her bag went first. She threw it out, climbed onto the toilet and squashed herself through the narrow window frame. Good! She landed in the sand and brushed herself off. Then she picked up her bag and ran for the fence. She lay against it, her heart thumping in her chest. No one had noticed. She stood up again and pushed her way through a hole and out onto the road. Freedom! * * * Then she heard music – the thump, thump, thump of a bass beat as a taxi slowed down and crawled along the pavement next to her. She stopped. Should she turn and run? But where? Back to school? She had no plan. And now the taxi was stopping and the driver was leaning over and opening the passenger door. He beckoned her to get inside. Busi looked back down the street. There was Mr Soci, the Life Sciences teacher, staggering in through the gates of Harmony High – late again, and drunk. He turned around and stared at the taxi. Before he’d had a chance to work out who she was, Busi jumped in. “Running away from school?” the driver asked, jokingly. His shirt was undone to show off a smooth, muscled chest and the gold chain around his neck glittered in the sun. He gave her a lazy, sexy smile. She knew the drivers who stopped at the school on their taxi route and she didn’t recognise him. Why had she never seen him before? She was surprised by how handsome he was. He turned the music down. “Hey, not everyone likesLoyiso. It’s not every girl’s choice,” he laughed. “What’s that?” she said, distractedly. She hadn’t heard him properly, she was worried Mr Soci had recognised her. Was he walking to Mr Khumalo’s office right now to report her? But then Mr Khumalo would smell the alcohol on his breath. “I said,Loyiso isn’t every girl’s fantasy. Is he yours?” “He’s okay,” she shrugged. The street ahead of them was empty. Where was he going, and why was she the only passenger? “Did you get bored with school?” He revved the engine and put the taxi into first. She still had time to open the door and jump out. “I don’t blame you,” he said softly. “You can have much more fun out here. How old are you? You can’t be more than fourteen?” “Fifteen. I’m fifteen,” Busi said quickly, suddenly wishing that she was older and that she wasn’t dressed in her school uniform. They were driving further and further away from Harmony High. He was taking a right, then a left, weaving between the narrow streets in the township. She would never remember the route. “Am I so ugly that you can’t look at me?” he teased. She smiled – she couldn’t help it. Driving around in his taxi felt so much better than some stupid English class. He had stopped to pick her up and he let her sit up front. She was somebody in his taxi, not the untalented nobody she was at school. “So, which lesson are you missing?” He reached over and stroked her cheek lightly with his finger. “English,” she said. “Romeo and Juliet, actually.” “Those star-crossed lovers – like us, baby girl …,” he said softly, his voice silky smooth. She stared at him. “How come a taxi driver knows Shakespeare? Is that what you’re thinking?” he laughed, and Busi felt herself blushing. “Well, I’m not just any old taxi driver. I own a fleet of taxis. And that’s not all …”

Busi stared at the girls on the stage.
They were her friends. Why wasn’t
she up there with them? The answer
was simple – because she hadn’t
entered Hamony High’s talent
competition. She couldn’t sing like
Ntombi, dance like Lettie, or tell a
joke like Asanda. No, the only talent
she had was being late for school! A
loud cheer went up around her:
“Usebenzile!” In front of her
Unathi leapt from his seat and
punched the air. “Yes!” he
shouted. “I knew they could do it!”
He turned and grinned at Busi
triumphantly. “Aren’t they
great?” Busi looked away from
Unathi’s stupid, grinning face. She
turned her back to the platform
where Lettie, Asanda and Ntombi
stood smiling, waving and blowing
kisses at their adoring fans.

Piiko:
It's just a reply that's most likely the customers name if this wasn't photoshopped anyway

wasn't Photoshop you can confirm it from their page.

Airtel Nigeria seems to have a platform for homosexuality in their plans. This comes from a reply to a promoted advert on their page.

Fidecoo:
, after them go come here they tell us "missing corper/lady". Where by it is the ladies advertising themselves to be,,,,, ,,,,,,.

wety she come dey do for you if you kidnap am

FTrebirth:
heavens bless the mighty boobs!
special wife material. can sustain a family with fresh milk supply.

Bros you wicked ooo

Prettythicksmi:
I don't have her pic, come to my area.

lala lemme ask abiola

Prettythicksmi:
We are talking about boobs here, that lady u uploaded her pix don't have boobs.She is just tall and huge.

let's see the competitor

Prettythicksmi:
My neighbour

hope she's not like her...

Prettythicksmi:
Yea,for real.Her boobs still learning tho.

And who's that....

Prettythicksmi:
Not huge enough

Na wa ooo...are you for real...some don't even have a pouch

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said that contrary to what ‘naysayers’ want people to believe, the Buhari administration is working assiduously to redeem its electoral pledges, especially in the critical areas of developing the economy as well as fighting corruption and insecurity.
He stated this in Abuja on Friday while signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the visiting Chinese Vice Minister of The State Council Information Office, Mr. Guo Weimin, in the area of media and cultural relations.
“Contrary to the lies that are being purveyed daily in the social media, this government has been working assiduously to redeem its electoral pledges. Our fight against insecurity is yielding very positive results.
“Our fight against corruption is focused and is ongoing and we are resolute and we have resolved that we are going to fight corruption until corruption goes under.
“We are happy that in this regard, we have a very good partner in China because we are aware and we know how China fought corruption and how China is fighting corruption. “We have succeeded in nursing a very sick economy and very soon, Nigeria will get out of recession,” he said.
Mohammed, who said the signing of the MoU would further deepen the already excellent relationship between the two countries, expressed optimism that some provisions of the MoU that encourage the news agencies of Nigeria and China to reflect, in their reporting, the social, economic and cultural development in both countries, will eliminate the phenomenon of fake news.
“This is significant because we are today in the era of fake news. Unlike China, the social media here is completely unrestrained. Therefore, it is important that you get your news directly from the official source,” he said

It's true beauty comes in different sizes and shapes, and that of this endowed corper is no exception as her huge mammary gland has got the media buzzing.

This gentleman is from Mathare 2, I guess he
has a family, friends.Am very sure he woke up at dawn yesterday just to go & express his democratic right by votingsomeone who is not even his relative.

It's very very sad that after sacrificing his time &
resources just to vote as other citizens did in
other parts of the country, the best reward he
could get was a gunshot on the head.
May his soul rest in peace.
God has a better reward & it will come at the
right time.
#saynotoelectionviolence.

The Chairman of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, ACF, Shettima Yerima has maintained that the quit notice asking Igbos to vacate the North on October 1 stands.

Addressing reporters in Kano, the ACF Chairman said Igbos who were willing to remain in the north were welcome but that the order was sacrosanct.

According to Yerima, “We stand by our notice to Igbo but those who are interested in Nigeria can stay. But for those who are not interested, you can go.

“Our mission is for peace; the unity of Nigeria is being threatened by the current agitation from the Igbo and we want to make sure that those who are interested in Nigeria stay but those who are not interested should go.

“The purpose of town hall meeting in Kano is to review the early stand took and we are collecting views of people here from the north-west. We will also move to north-central and north-east on whether to maintain our position or reconsider it.

“We don’t have the right to force the people to go. So, we are using peaceful means because don’t have police and army.”

Recall that Yerima had on Tuesday insisted that the October 1 quit notice asking Igbos residing in the North to vacate the region stands.

Neymar did not want to challenge the status of Lionel Messi as Barcelona's undisputed star, according to the forward's father.

The 25-year-old completed his world-record €222million move to Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday after teaming up with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner for four successful seasons at Camp Nou.

Neymar Sr revealed his son never wanted to challenge the position of Messi at Barca out of respect for the Argentina international, but insists moving to PSG is not about boosting his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.

Neymar Sr told COPE: "Messi is the star and will always be the star. Not only because of the love and respect that Neymar has for Leo, he is his idol.

"Imagine that everyone said that Neymar has to be Messi's substitute, he does not want to be his substitute. You have to leave Messi, he is the idol at Barcelona.

"Neymar has to make his own way and accept the challenge he has. I think my son has been a man, shown respect [to Messi] and now he has to go his own way."

"He listened to the advice of his friends, he listened to the people around him. He wanted to rise to this challenge. He had the right to make that decision. Now he is following his destiny and I think he has had a lot of courage."

Neymar did not want to challenge the status of Lionel Messi as Barcelona's undisputed star, according to the forward's father.

The 25-year-old completed his world-record €222million move to Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday after teaming up with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner for four successful seasons at Camp Nou.

Neymar Sr revealed his son never wanted to challenge the position of Messi at Barca out of respect for the Argentina international, but insists moving to PSG is not about boosting his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.

Neymar Sr told COPE: "Messi is the star and will always be the star. Not only because of the love and respect that Neymar has for Leo, he is his idol.

"Imagine that everyone said that Neymar has to be Messi's substitute, he does not want to be his substitute. You have to leave Messi, he is the idol at Barcelona.

"Neymar has to make his own way and accept the challenge he has. I think my son has been a man, shown respect [to Messi] and now he has to go his own way."

"He listened to the advice of his friends, he listened to the people around him. He wanted to rise to this challenge. He had the right to make that decision. Now he is following his destiny and I think he has had a lot of courage."

The Blaugrana released a statement on Thursday confirming the Brazilian and his representatives visited in person to pay the figure.
Barcelona have accepted the payment of Neymar's €222 million release clause as the Brazil forward's move to Paris Saint- Germain moves closer.
The club released an official statement on Thursday that read: "On Thursday afternoon Neymar Jr's legal representatives visited in person the club's offices and made the payment of €222m in the player's name with regards to the unilateral termination of the contract that united both parties.
"As such, the club will pass on to UEFA the details of the above operation so that they can determine the disciplinary responsibilities that may arise from this case."
Earlier on Thursday, La Liga refused to accept an attempt to pay the release clause at their offices in Madrid, leading to France's Ligue de Football Professionnel to call on the Spanish body to "abide by the rules of FIFA and its responsibilities".
Neymar's move to PSG now looks set to be completed imminently, with the Ligue 1 side reportedly ready to unveil the Brazilian on Friday.
Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu has previously suggested PSG's move for Neymar would not be possible without contravening UEFAs' Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
It is understood UEFA will investigate the deal if it suspects that there has been any breach of FFP rules.
PSG congratulated on Neymar swoop La Liga president Javier Tebas has also threatened to report PSG to UEFA over the deal , which will set a new world-record transfer, smashing the previous record set by Paul Pogba's €105m move from Juventus to Manchester United a year ago.
Neymar has reportedly already undergone a medical in Porto, and it is believed he will travel to the French capital to finalise the deal on Friday.

The management of Delta State University
(DELSU) has announced the screening date for
the 2017/2018 admission screening exercise.
The Screening exercise will hold from August
14th-19th August , 2017
Venue: Examination centre located in Site III by
the 750 Theatre
Time 7:00 am daily
Meanwhile registration deadline for the 2017
admission screening has been extended.
The new deadline is August 8th, 2017.

What is it that you wish to know about the
2016/2017admission process.
Drop all your questions right here.
You can also contact us on Whatsapp if you
wish to join the Aspirant whatsapp group.
WhatsApp -08022775717

The gang had killed no fewer than 29 persons and injured several others in the last few months. During several visits to the community in the course of the week, our correspondents observed how individuals and families in different parts of the town were moving out with some of their personal items to find safety elsewhere . A resident of Ori - Okuta in the Agric area of Ikorodu , who was spotted by one of our correspondents on Tuesday leaving the community with two children and two bags, said the cult group had written a letter to their neighbourhood that it would soon visit the place. The woman , who gave her name only as Yemisi , said she was moving out of the area to stay with her sister at the Ojota area of the city for some time. She said, “ For the past five days, we have not slept at night at Ori - Okuta because of the fear of Badoo . They wrote a letter and pasted the copies at strategic places in the neighbourhood , informing us of their imminent visit . Nobody has had peace since then. “ My husband is not in Lagos for now, so I cannot afford to take chances with the safety of my children and I. ” Another woman , Mrs. Janet Ogunwale , who was also spotted carrying a bag on her head with her little daughter strapped to her back at the Agric Bus stop , Ikorodu , on Wednesday afternoon, told Saturday PUNCH that almost everybody in the compound at Ori - Okuta had fled for fear of being attacked by Badoo . She said, “ Ori - Okuta is almost a ghost town now . Since words went round that Badoo had written a letter to inform residents that they were coming soon , everybody has been living in fear . Nobody sleeps comfortably at night anymore. “ It is not as if there are no more people in the area, but the number has drastically reduced since news of the letter got round . Though my landlord tried to allay my fears , I had made up my mind to leave as many of our neighbours had moved out already .” A community leader in the area, who identified himself as Alhaji Kazeem Lawal, told Saturday PUNCH that since receiving the threat letter from the group , those of them remaining in the neighbourhood had organised themselves into clusters to patrol the area at night . He said that even though many houses had burglar - proof windows and steel doors, they were not taking chances as according to reports , Badoo members cut such iron protections with saws after blowing a powdery substance into apartments to make occupants to fall asleep. Lawal said, “ Since the police have failed in tackling Badoo , we have to take charge of our security . It is true that many residents have fled their houses because they don’ t want to die and nobody blames them ; those of us who are still here cannot just fold our hands and say nothing will happen. “ We have formed ourselves into several groups, patrolling the entire neighbourhood at night . If you come to Ori- Okuta at night , you ’ll think it is day time because the number of residents you would see outside will surprise you . We put our hope in God.” The fear of the killer- cult group has also hit residents of other communities in Ikorodu like Odogunyan, Igbogbo, Ebutte, Ibeshe and Ogijo , some of who have also been fleeing their houses to take refuge with relatives and friends in other places . A community development association head in the Odogunyan area of the town, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told one of our correspondents that apart from the tenants, many landlords and their families had moved to other parts of Lagos where they have houses . He said with the spate of killings perpetrated by the gang in recent days and the failure of security agencies to check their nefarious activities , everybody in the town was living in fear . He said, “ The issue of Badoo is no longer a joking matter and that is why everywhere you go in Ikorodu today, people are doing all they can to improve security around their immediate surroundings . “ In Odogunyan here, I know at least three landlords who have locked their buildings and relocated with their families to other parts of Lagos where they have houses . Many people are moving to areas they consider safe .” Security agencies hold midnight meeting with traditional rulers , herbalists , others Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command and other security agencies in the state have met with traditional rulers , herbalists, community leaders and other stakeholders in Ikorodu to discuss the security situation . Saturday PUNCH learnt that the meeting held at Sabo Junction , opposite Ojokoro Cemetery , Ikorodu , between 11.30pm on Thursday and 1 am on Friday. A security source, who was privy to the meeting, said it was part of the strategies to end the criminal reign of the cult in Ikorodu and its environs . The source said senior officers of the state police command , Rapid Response Squad , State Intelligence Bureau , Department of State Services , Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department , the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps , attended the meeting . He said, “ The meeting started around 11.30pm and ended around 1 am . It was thorough and all the stakeholders were there. The officers deliberated with traditional rulers , community leaders , religious leaders , herbalists, transport workers and local vigilance groups , on how to fight these criminals to a standstill. We have all agreed to work together. Divisional Police Officers in the area will coordinate the operations of the vigilance groups . “ It was also made clear that if there is any form of criminality henceforth, the traditional ruler and other stakeholders in the affected community will be summoned for questioning . Residents were advised to desist from jungle justice with a clear warning that anybody caught in the act will face the full weight of the law.” A resident of Ipakodo , Ikorodu , Mr . Michael Olaniyan, however , blamed the police for not doing enough to protect the lives of people in the area, saying, “ I don’ t know why the police have not been patrolling this area; maybe it is because we have put our fate in our hands by keeping vigil outside to protect ourselves . “ We now have a roster ; civil servants and those who have to resume work early take shifts on weekends while artisans and others who don’ t have to be at work very early keep watch on weekdays.” Olaniyan identified poor power supply in the area as another factor encouraging criminal activities at night . Meanwhile, another resident of Ikorodu , Habeeb Olayiwola, has raised the alarm that some vigilantes in the area had started cashing in on the fight against the deadly gang by extorting money from residents who return late from work . Allegedly, the vigilantes would threaten to accuse such residents of being Badoo members if they refused to bribe them . Habeeb posted on a Facebook forum , Ikorodu Ambassadors Group , his encounter with some vigilantes while he was returning home from work in a truck on Wednesday. He wrote, “ Before I knew it , they had all started banging the truck with all kinds of items they had in their hands. None of them heard me out as they were responding with abusive words and insisting that I give them money. I had to offer one of the two N 500 notes I had with me to one of the leaders . He rejected it , telling me they wanted N5 ,000 . I realised that 85 per cent of them were miscreants. The same thing happens when people leave for work around 5 am .” Habeeb urged community leaders to check the excesses of the vigilantes. The Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos , Olarinde Famous- Cole, said series of operations were ongoing in Ikorodu , adding that more arrests had been made. He said, “ The Commissioner of Police , Fatai Owoseni, has given a marching order that all criminal elements in Ikorodu must be flushed out. The DCP in charge of Operations , the RRS Commander, and other security chiefs have been up and doing and they are meeting with all the relevant stakeholders .” On the allegation of extortion by vigilantes, the PPRO said it would be directed to the appropriate quarters for investigations and necessary actions. In the meantime, churches in many parts of Ikorodu have cancelled late night programmes , especially on Fridays, pending when security would improve in the town. For instance, the Resident Pastor of Divine Anchor Ministries , Offin , Igbogbo, Mathew Odeniyi , on Thursday said they had cancelled all vigils and church programmes extending beyond 9pm . According to him , this was to prevent putting the lives of members at risk. He said , “ Even though we are protected by the Most High , as true believers of the word of God, we must not also fail to use our initiative when the need arises . “ In the face of growing tension across Ikorodu at the moment, following the onslaught of Badoo ; as a church , we felt it would be wise to suspend all late night programmes , including Friday vigils until the situation improves . “ All our meetings and activities have been limited to daytime so as to keep ourselves safe and not become easy targets for miscreants .” A top member of a church in the Adamo area of Ikorodu , simply identified as Yemi, also told Saturday PUNCH that Friday vigils and other programmes running beyond 8 :00pm had also been cancelled for now due to security fears . He said , “ The church leadership has ordered all programmes to end by 8: 00pm because of the security situation .” Meanwhile, residents of Owode - Ajegunle and Irawo communities along Ikorodu Road have been living in fear since the cult group struck in the area early in the week, killing about three people in a church . Findings also revealed that many residents of the area have been moving to places like Ketu, Shangisha, and Ikosi, where they have relatives and friends to take temporary refuge . Similarly , several parents in Mowe and Ibafo communities along the Lagos - Ibadan Expressway on Friday prevented their children from going to school due to a message being circulated online that members of Badoo were planning to attack the area. News of the attack by the group is also being circulated through text messages, raising apprehension among residents . The message, seen by one of our correspondents , read, “ I just got information that there are flyers at Mowe that the Badoo cult and a rival cult are coming to Mowe on Friday , July 7, 2017, to fight due to a killing that happened around NASFAT area recently. “ Please let’s be security conscious . Kindly forward to your loved ones in the Mowe /Ibafo axis .” A parent in the Ibafo area, Mr . Sina Fagbemi, told Saturday PUNCH that he did not allow his children to attend school on Friday as a result of the message. He said, “ To miss a day in school is better than living with regret all my life . Of course , it could have been a false alert but it is better to approach issues like this with seriousness . I told my wife and the kids to stay indoors throughout Friday .” Another parent , Mrs. Cynthia Oni , told Saturday PUNCH that it was authorities of the school her five- year - old son attends called to warn her not to bring him to school on Friday because of the threat. She said , “ Before they even called , I had made up my mind that I wouldn’ t let him go to school .” Ogun police deploy policemen against cult attack Reacting to the threat, Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, asked residents of Mowe and its environs to go about their business without fear . He said Special Forces had been deployed in the area over fear of an imminent attack by some cult members celebrating a festival . Oyeyemi described as untrue the report that the cult was planning to attack Ogun communities , saying the rumour was the work of mischief makers. He said , “ Let me state categorically that there is no Badoo attack on Mowe; the community is calm. People are not packing out. “ There are , however , two villages where we have a report of some cultists planning to strike to celebrate 7 /7 or 9/ 9 as they call it . We have deployed some policemen there. We also have our mobile policemen , Federal Special Anti - Robbery Squad , among others. ” But the RRS of the Lagos State Police Command on Friday announced that it had arrested 87 persons suspected of be members of the Badoo cult. Saturday PUNCH learnt that the arrests were carried out in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilance groups . The suspects were arrested in hideouts at Owutu and Odogunyan areas of Ikorodu town . The RRS further revealed that the police have declared another 20 people wanted over the activities of the group . Some of those declared wanted for cult- related killings in the community were identified as follows : Moshood , aka Mosho ; Alfa, aka King of Boys; Papa; Fela; Alakoto and Chukwudi . Others are Agbara, ‘O/ C’, Femi , aka FM ; Pencil; Odidan ; Jaru ; Allen; Bush ; Happiness; Fagbo; Junior ; Nuru and Jamiu. Saturday PUNCH learnt that the suspects were identified through intelligence sourced through investigation by security agencies in Ikorodu .

The police said on Saturday that the arrested kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme George Onwuamadike , alias Evans is still in their custody and has not vanished as widely speculated . The spokesman for the Police , Jimoh Moshood , a Chief Superintendent of Police , said Evans was safe and still under police watch.
Moshood was denying a sensational story published today by a Nigerian newspaper that Evans had vanished in a police cell and could not be reached . Moshood urged Nigerians to not fret over the reported “ vanishing ” of suspected kidnap kingpin .
Moshood said the investigation was still ongoing , adding that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as all ends were tied .
“ The media need to avoid stories that could create fear , tension or misrepresentation among the masses. Where did Evans vanish to ? That headline was misleading . The suspect and his accomplices are very much in our custody . “ We are working hard to ensure that justice is served at the end of the day. There are certain information that are not for public consumption to avoid jeopardising investigation or even national security . “ Evans is with the police. His whereabouts are known but cannot be made public. We are appealing to Nigerians to remain calm and support the police to conclude its investigation. ”