CHAPTER FORTY TWO

Agent Diza rode the elevator to the fifth floor of the Blue Water Hotel, her eyes and mind alerted to any sound that might catch her attention. She had decided on her own to take a quick look at the floor and ascertain the room their suspect was staying before the others get there. She sauntered confidently along the lobby her eyes taking on the numbers on the doors. Although, she had no idea of the actual room, but as a guest in one of the rooms two floors away, she was hopeful she could detect the room by chance through an unexpected activity on the floor. And true to chance she almost stumbled on three members of the Free-Hands as they emerged from the presidential suite’s elevator with two beastly looking dogs flanking one of them by the sides. However, luckily for her one of the doors nearby suddenly opened and a middle aged man in short and T-shirt beamed happily at her. She smiled back at him, gave him a tight hug and gently maneuvered him back into the room and then pushed the door as Smoke, Victor and John Bull went pass the door without interest.
Once inside the room, she stood back and stared confusingly at the man who also stared surprisingly at her.

‘’ What happened? You look older than the guy at the bar yesterday.’’ Diza hurriedly said, her eyes taking on the man.

‘’Excuse me, what guy? What bar?’’ The man asked still surprised.

‘’Oh, then there must have been a mistake. I am supposed to meet Barrister Michael in room 245. I just spoke to him from the reception.’’ She added and smiled sexily at the perplexed looking man.

‘’Oh, no, you’re in the wrong room. I am not a lawyer. I am actually expecting a visitor the reason I opened my door to check, I thought I heard footsteps by the door. Room 245 I guess should be upstairs’’ The man finally explained to her.

‘’ Ops! I am sorry, I don’t know the problem with me, I usually have problems with numbers of hotel rooms. Please forgive me.’’
She said mildly, opened the door and hurriedly stepped out of the room. Just in time to see the three members of the Free-Hands crowded into a room by the far end of the corridor.

********
However, what Diza did not see was that Lizzy had foolishly opened her room door to her down fall that evening. The shock on her face on opening the door and coming face to face with two beastly dogs and the unexpected faces of Smoke, Victor and John Bull was beyond description. She jumped back horribly as if she had just stepped on a hot piece of coal, and watched petrified as the two dogs made their way into the room, followed by her now three dreaded partners in crime. Just then, the bathroom door pushed open and out came Skinny in his pant and singlet. He stopped midway into the room and froze with shock; his frightened eyes darted to the dogs and to the three members of his gang.

‘’ E be like say show don finish.’’ Victor who had been the one that spoke as room service attendant in a disguised voice said aloud and moved to the bed to admire Liz’s shopping spree.

Smoke with his bloodshot eyes stared dangerously into space. He then moved into the room and took a seat on one of the sofas as one of the dogs took over the closed door while the other rested its paws beside him.

‘’ I can explain, honestly, we…’’ Lizzy tried to voice out with fear. But Smoke cut her short with the wave of his hand.

‘’Explain to yourself…abi una come here to hear explanation?’’ This he threw to Victor and John Bull who both nodded disapprovingly, but kept staring surprisingly at the half-naked Skinny and the equally half-clad Lizzy.

‘’ True, no be wetin you think, Smoke. Honestly nothing dey happen between us.’’ Skinny finally squeaked out.

’’ So, how long una don dey Bleep each other?’’ Smoke asked sarcastically.



*********
Agent Diza quietly took an elevator to the seventh floor aware that the man was still by the door and staring at her. She waved at him as the door closed and composed herself before stepping out casually into the lobby and then made her way into one of the rooms at the far end. She wrapped in coded strokes on the door and Etim admitted her in. Mai-Coins who was by the window stared at her and knew she had some good news.

‘’ I think we finally have the Smoke in our hands.’’ She spitted out and calmly explained her experience and suspicious to them.
They both listened attentively with excitement creeping into their wary face. They could not believed their luck, nor comprehend the fact that the end to their hunt for the most wanted criminal in their career was just few minutes away from them.

‘’ So this guy has a shine head, he his thick set and wore dark shade?’’ Mai-Coins repeated for the third time.

‘’ Correct’’ Diza responded, folded her hands and stared out of the window.

‘’ But he could still be any member of the gang we do not know, just like the Skinny guy.’’ Etim chipped in warningly.

‘’Yes, I thought the same, but this guy has something about him, he moves with grace and seem to have command over the men and beasts around him.’’ Diza replied thoughtfully.

‘’ What do you mean?’’ Mai-Coins interjected with a curious look.

‘’ An ordinary member of the Free-Hand would not be walking around with two fierce looking dogs in an expensive hotel like this.’’ Diza told them.

‘’Dogs! You mean you saw this guy here with dogs? Mai-Coins exclaimed.

‘’ Smoke, he is here’’ Etim exclaimed before Diza could answer.

The team then sat down and quickly strategized on the best way to tackle the situation and professionally arrest their most wanted criminal. The duo of Mai-Coins and Etim were wary and afraid of committing another blunder like their previous mistake at the Mercury Hotel. Therefore, they went through their plan carefully and finally made arrangement for external support.



]

CHAPTER FORTY ONE

What to do with Chambers since they now had first hand information of where to find Smoke and his gang became another worry to Colour and Ken Solomon as they headed back to the beach bar that evening. Colour had briefly explained Chamber’s role to Ras Pako and his part so far.

‘’ Why una no put am inside the next bus back to Abuja, and settle him. Wow! That guy fit drink river, Rasta! ‘’ Pako exclaimed with a smile.

‘’ Yes, Chambers worship beer…so what do we do with him? ‘’ Colour threw the question at Ken Solomon who was now excited that he was finally getting closer to his mission.

‘’ Everyone we meet along the circumstances of life has a part to play… Chambers has played his part… his part brought us here and we met you as fortune along the way…’’ KS responded philosophically with a broad smile at Pako and then turned to Colour. ‘’ I think that decision should be left to Chambers to decide.’’ He added thoughtfully.


*********
Chambers who was visibly drunk when they went to picked him up at the bar became fully alert on hearing the sudden changed of plan. He listened attentively as Colour explained things to him on their way back to their hotel inside a chartered taxi.

‘’ So the question be say you dey ready to follow us to Tinapa for Calabar?’’ Colour asked beside him from the back with a smile.


Chambers who was enjoying the cool breeze of the day and the noisy traffic noise stared thoughtfully at him with his drunken eyes and then smiled broadly.

‘’ We don start the journey already, I dey ready if una sure say una information dey correct… at least I don play my part. At all- at all, na him bad pass.’’ He finally responded. However, deep inside him, Chambers was not too happy that his trip to Lagos was suddenly coming to an end, and if he was not careful and smart his entire involvement in the adventure could suddenly come to an end as well. This he reasoned silently.
‘
’ Ok, no worry about our information, Ras Pako dey reliable’’ Colour assured him.

‘’ Well, if you say so. Everything dey una hand now’’ Chambers said. Half shutting his eyes for a short nap as the cab speeded off in the dense traffic and negotiated a lesser busy road.

Ken Solomon who had been enjoying the view of the rowdy city and the fast phase at which almost everything was being done everywhere noted the haste of the passengers and their desperation to board some of the yellow cabs and the popular Danfo buses. He then turned from his seat with a broad smile.

‘’ Everyone seems to be in a hurry here. From the way they walk and the way they jump on those buses; a fast moving city, with fast moving people.’’ He observed with a wide smile.

‘’ This is Lagos…’’ Colour responded with a smile.

‘’ Yes, this is Lagos; I believe the fastest city I have so far visited on earth,’’ KS responded with his capricious tone. ‘’ I wish Nigerians are as religious as the many churches and mosques I have seen dotting everywhere. You have the largest concentration of churches and mosques across the world, yet your country has a frightening records of various criminal activities; raging from smart fraudsters, kidnappers, corrupt public officials, rituality and now terrorism. Could the churches and mosques been more of hypocrisy?’’

Colour, Chambers and the cab driver listened silently to him as he rattled out with his mischievous grin, they all knew the Whiteman was saying the truth, some damming facts they were all aware of and could do nothing about.

‘’ But oga , bad, bad things too dey happen for America, we dey hear some of dem and see dem for television. In fact, I see the dead body of the many innocent school children wey one mad Whiteman go shot for one school for California yesterday. Dem show am live for CNN, we no get that kind madness for Nigeria.’’ The cab driver proudly defended in pidgin with a cynical smile on his face.

‘’ Yes, and upon all our religious fever we are yet to have wide spread of Satanism and its followers openly building churches for the devil and proudly worshiping Lucifer as exhibited by Anton LaVey and his lost members of the Church of Satan in America. Again, men do not openly court and marry each other here; neither do our women openly acknowledge Lesbianism. I think every country has its own sins.’’ Colour added proudly with a smile after explaining what the cab driver had said to KS.

Ken Solomon stared thoughtfully at the road, nodded and then gave both of them a cynical grin. ‘’ Accept, we tolerate every form of religion and freedom of association and speech in America, but, tell you what…we do not do these things hypocritically in hiding. We do what we are and say what we are, we do not pretend or claim to be what we are not.’’ He rattled out still grinning.

‘’ Na true, Oyinbo man yarn so, I support him talk. We dey claim to be religion people for this country with big, big churches and mosques everywhere, but the wickedness wey we dey do ourselves pass wetin man fit talk. No be under religion cover Boko Haram take land begin kill people anyhow so?. Abi no be in the name of religion many pastors take dey Bleep other people wives and children and even give some of their church members’ belle? I beg make una forget religion matter. But, my brothers, na true, Oyinbo yarn so.’’ Chambers who had remained quite all along suddenly chipped in with his eyes still shut.

Colour and the driver glanced at him and kept quite. The driver thought over what he said and accelerated to overtake a crowded Danfo bus, and then drove the rest of the journey in silence.
Ken Solomon still wearing his cynical grin returned his gaze to the crowded street. Although he had little idea of what Chambers had said, but he sensed the guy was on his side. He smiled up at him and then turned to face Colour. ‘’ So where do we stand with him?’’ He asked, staring back at the sleeping Chambers.

‘’ Positive, he is ready to go.’’ Colour told him, and half-glanced at the snoring figure beside him.



*******
Lizzy still trilled and excited about her latest shopping conquest, sprayed everything she bought that evening on the King size bed, inside her exclusive room. Now stripped only in her bra and pant, she excitedly tried some of her purchases as the sweet captivating tune Subway, by Asa, filtered softly from a mini music box close by. This was the kind of life she had always dreamed of not the stern poverty that had almost ravaged her beauty, if not for her kind rich aunt from her late father side who saw the beauty in her and forcefully snatched her away from the slum she had lived with her other two siblings, a boy and a girl, helping their poor mother grand tomatoes and grains from their old grinding machine for survival. The aunty, though with two girls of her own had sponsored her to secondary school before she also died and a scholarship from a foundation had helped her completed her schooling at the University with a Bsc in Sociology; a course she had never practiced for once.
Elizabeth Dunga, Lizzy for short, was a woman more interested in the sweet things of life, and she knew she could always get them quick by using her beauty and an unconventional method. And that avant-garde method presented itself the day she met Skinny through Titi, her bosom friend now living in England. The two had stroke a mutual friendship instantly given the fact that they both cherished bespoke designer clothes, fast cars, big mansions, designer perfumes, grooving and spending money. Again, the handsome slim shape of the pidgin speaking and confident looking guy in African designer apparel by Silks, one of her favourite’s designers, and the fact that the sweet scent from his body was the famous ‘wild’ perfume, by the same Silks sealed their friendship that day.
Skinny had then cunningly told her about the Free-Hands and subsequently introduced her to Smoke. Whom she realized fell in love with her beauty right away and conscripted her into the gang. Although, their relationship with Skinny had remained platonic throughout their period of sucking innocent people off their money across the globe, both of them knew deep inside them that something lustful was bound to happen one day and they could not both controlled it the day it happened. It has been their secret ever since.
She smiled as she reminisces over her life and excitedly went through her expensive purchases on her king-size bed. On one side of the bed was her new designer sets of braziers and pants, her eye-catching dresses from Deola Sagoe, Folake Coker, Zizi Cardow and Donna Karan and two multi colour fashionable bags from Louis Vuitton all lay side by side. Also proudly in display were some seven package of designer perfumes; from Silks to Gucci, Chanel, Bvlgari, Prada, Cartier, Van Cleef and Richemont all lay side by side. Their popular logos enticed her eyes and also gave her some tickling excitement. She adores perfumes. She reminded herself happily and then half glanced at the sofa nearby. Sprayed on the sofa was a male designer blue jeans with a brown skin belt, a multi colour V-neck sweatshirt from Tom Ford and a brown handmade buckle sandal lay on the fur rug.

‘’ Which kind shit you dey shit since, hope no be say u dey born sha?’’ She suddenly called out to someone in the bathroom in pidgin.

‘’ I don finish, the shit hold me no be small.’’ A male voice answered back from the closed door of the lavatory.


Just then, she heard a soft knock on her door. ‘’ Who is that?’’ She asked with a surprised look at the door, then at her purchases.

‘’ Room service, Ma! There is a message for you.’’ She heard a male voice answered from outside.

‘’ What message is that?’ She asked as she hurriedly got into a T-shirt that ran to her knees, and remotely reduced the volume of the music.

‘’It’s a package, I don’t know.’’ The voice replied softly.

What Lizzy abundantly had in beauty, she lacked much in brain. Quite okay, she was a fantastic beautiful woman, this had always been her selling point and her power of attraction, but she was not too smart on the head. The Free-Hands had initiated and carried her along in the group because of her magnetic gorgeousness and seductive charm. So thinking she had forgotten one of her packages at the shopping mall and they had thought it wise to send it over, she sauntered over to the door and called out.

‘’ Okay, wait, I am coming.’’ She walked to the door and walked into a trap that began her down fall.

CHAPTER FORTY

If there was one thing Lizzy loved doing apart from sleeping-then that one thing is shopping. She hardly could describe the joy that always flows through her veils whenever she went on her regular shopping spray. The truth is – Lizzy loved money, just the way she loved spending it. She could storm into a boutique in her spending mood with as much as five hundred thousand naira in her bag and sauntered out later having less than five thousand naira left. All the money now converted into designer perfumes, bespoke shoes, handmade dresses, one- in- town sunglasses and other fancy materialism her scratchy eyes could see. Moreover, to her pleasure she had discovered that the Tinapa had a world-class shopping centre to cater for her shopping addiction.
The Tinapa Shopping Centre presents the inspired and discerning shopper with a spray of product offers from her 54 quality retail outlets and four huge emporia each of which is about 10,000 square meters. Guests usually spend a considerable amount of their free time window shopping and taking in the vast array of displays of excellent brands ranging from designer labels, perfumes, Electronics, Fabrics, Jewelry, Household furniture and Accessories, up to Art and Craft Souvenirs. The Shopping Centre presents a display of opulence and grandeur of the best things money could buy in the world; ranging from bespoke labels, and popular designers, perfumes, fabrics, electronics, jewelry, household furniture, arts and crafts, and various souvenirs for the fancy minds.
It was at this sumptuousness shopping centre during one of her frequented visit that Lizzy gave away their hide out to the EFCC team that evening. Oblivious that the team was already on ground at the Tinapa, and again her failure to heed to the warning from Smoke that they should keep in the shadow until things cool down was some of the major elements that gave them way. She succumbed to her shopping addiction and embarked on a spending spree at the Tinapa shopping centre two days later; and Etim who was on the lookout, noticed her trademark figure and flamboyant shopping style from his obscure position inside the busy shopping Mall. The shock on his face was profound to other shoppers nearby if they had been paying attention to him, but none of them including the flamboyantly dressed Lizzy who was busy on her shopping extravaganza noticed his changed facial composure. He quickly recovered from the unexpected shock of seeing her and calmly sauntered to a far counter where he made a call to Mai-Coins and at the same time had his eyes on her as she continued her shopping spree.

‘’ I have a female Flame on my view and the water is clean in sight.’’ He relayed the coded message to Mai-Coins and quickly explained his location.

‘’ Okay, Keep the water on sight and don’t lose the taste, I am on my way.’’ Mai-Coins instructed from the other end and the line went dead.

Lizzy who was now through with her shopping extravagant smiled at a female cashier as she dropped some enticing naira notes on the counter as a tip and sauntered out of the store. She clutched two filled multi colour shopping bags and headed towards the exit followed by the inconspicuous figure of Etim.

*********
Mai-Coins standing nearby and making a fake phone call beside a tree picked up her seductive figure from afar and equally sighted Etim somewhere behind her in-between two elderly couples and their families. He nodded his approval and made a real call to Etim.
‘’ I am with you, I can see water flowing.’’
‘’ Ok. I can see you now…she is going into the lodge.’’ Etim responded through his cell phone.
‘’ Good, Diza is there…keep to the background; I am looking out to spot a tail behind you. However, keep going and stay out of the lobby.
Lizzy oblivious of what was going on sauntered into the exclusive lobby of the Blue Water Hotel, smiled back at the receptionists on duty, retrieved her room e-card and made her way confidently into one of the elevators amidst the admiring eyes of those around. Victor who was sitting on one of the multi colour sofas inside the lobby sighted her as she made her way elegantly into the reception area with her shopping bags and stared curiously at her as she made her way into the elevator. He grinned and then made a short call to Smoke.
‘’ She is back, she went shopping.’’ He said casually into his phone, oblivious that the beautiful female figure seated on another sofa not too far from him had ears to the ground. He picked up his small frame and made his way into another elevator after pausing to play with one of the female receptionists.
Diza seated with a Vogue magazine over her face noticed everything that transpired silently between them. Her instinct had been alert on first sighting the lively and jovial Victor as he made his way into the lobby. He had made friendly jokes with some of the staff and then dropped his small frame into one of the sofas with direct, but inconspicuous view of the entrance. Her trained mind had quickly alerted her that he was there on a secret lookout for somebody. Hence, she had professionally made herself busy on her ipad and the Vogue magazine, not wanting to give him any room for a friendly conversation. And her suspicious unfolded when their suspect sauntered into the lobby few minutes later, clutching two loaded shopping bags and seduced all eyes with her flamboyant dress and seductive shape. She noticed that the strange guy on the sofa had shrieked back into his seat and secretly stole constant glance at the beautiful female figure who seductively made her way into an elevator. He then made a quick phone call and then dashed into another elevator, oblivious to other eyes around. She paused in her thinking and quickly deliberated the next action to take, since it was obvious that their ‘plan A’ was not going to work as arranged. She finally called Mai-Coins on her mobile and spoke with a soft tone.

‘’ Water inside the well, but there is a leak somewhere.’’ She coded on the phone.

‘’ Ok, is the well dry? Came back the response from Mai-Coins

‘’ No, the well is full right now.’’ She replied and scanned the various group of people around the busy lobby with her eyes.

‘’Ok. Watch out for the flow, while I get someone to fix the leakage. ‘’ Mai-Coins instructed from his position outside, and called Etim who was hanging out nearby.

‘’ Meet me on the way. Walk casually, I will be at the car park.’’

They met few minutes later at the crowded car park and Mai-Coins explained the situation to him. ‘’ Our suspect is inside one of the rooms upstairs, but Diza sported a tail. I don’t have the details right now, all the same we have to abandon plan A and settle for plan C.’’

‘’ And C is to break into her room silently and plant the bugs…’’ Etim responded thoughtfully.

‘’ Yes, since A, we couldn’t crowd her inside the lobby, and plan B is off the marks, we now have a tail who also has interest on her and could be right inside her room at the moment. We don’t know who he is or who they are. However, my guess is, he could be one of them spying on her movement. So we have to be careful on how we approach her room.’’ Mai-Coins explained this in details.

‘’ Yes, I think we should try C, but we are on track.’’ Etim observed.

''Yes, we are, right on tract.’’ Mai-Coins responded with a smile and put a call to Diza.

‘’ I have discussed with the engineer, we have to use plan C. Keep water on track, we will be with you in a moment’’ He coded to her and get set for their plan C.





********
If only Diza had tried to remember where she had seen the face of the strange guy at the lobby before, her detective mind would have reminded her that she had seen the face on the list of the most wanted criminals in their archives. She did later remember the face, but then it was too late, for Victor had quickly dashed into Smoke’s room on emerging from the elevator. Smoke who was visibly angry, glared angrily at him from the wide window of his room. His bloodshot eyes blazed with a furious rage as he dragged a weed and paced slowly around the room. Not far from him, squatted in sentry positions were his two beasts, their eyes alerted and suspicious at the wary looking Victor.

‘’ Where she dey?’’ He finally demanded, his eyes staring into space.

‘’ She dey her room,’’ Victor responded still afraid to pick a seat. This was not a good time to relax in this room. He cautioned himself and decided to remain standing halfway into the vast room.

‘’ Good, get Skinny and Bull, we dey go visit her.’’ He commanded, dragged his weed and turned back to face the window with his bloodshot eyes.
Victor retreated quietly from the room amidst the vicious eyes of the two unfriendly dogs.

Chapter 5

Amidst the melodious song of Korede Bello, ‘God Will’ I stared dizzily at the woman and all the eyes on us. I knew I was counting for trouble, but trouble was the main purpose why I was there in the first place and it is either now or never.
Vitamin’s cold eyes blazed into mine with a sudden cold contempt as he finally recognized me. I stared back hard at him and turned back to his mistress. The black designers silky dress on her radiate her slim shape across the room to the envy of most of the women and admiration of the men, including me. I nodded my head and returned her smile with a charmed look. Although, my front teeth were missing, but the message was clear to all onlooker. She smiled back charmingly at me and made her way towards one of the reserved tables. But Vitamin this time refused to tag along. Instead, he frowned up at everyone and then finally swaggered towards my direction. His rich leather shoes cracked after him as he sauntered confidently forward. The DPO, who also seemed to have recognized me, gawked at my face and also frown up.

‘ Well, well, well. And look who is here again…’ Vitamin announced loudly and planted himself arrogantly in front of me.

Almost everyone inside the bar had their attention towards our unfolding drama by now. I just sat there with a wide smile and allowed myself the thrill of the music.

‘ What are you doing in my environment? ‘ I heard him demanded mockingly. ‘ I thought I told you the last time you brought your smile here that we don’t like faces like yours around here?’

I stared thoughtfully at him, I noted that he was all out to humiliate me or if possible destroy me this time. He was having fun speaking arrogantly to me with support from his disciples. I noticed that the masculine barman had braced himself up, ready to knockoff more of my teeth. All he needed was just a nod from his boss and the attack will begin. I equally noticed that some of his thugs were getting ready for another round of pounding at my battered face. It was now or never. I reminded myself and then made the first move in the game I had lined up for him. I made sure everyone with interest on the unfolding drama was listening, and then confidently stared at his arrogant face. I said the words consciously with no doubt that it would unmask the hidden fear inside him.

‘ Hello, Gbomo!, long time, no see,’’ I announced loudly and proudly, my eyes glued to his bloodshot eyes.

If I had punched his face with a sack of sand, I don’t think he would have reacted the way he did. It was as if I had wickedly punched his face with a sack load of stones. I noted and believe everyone else also noted how he had quickly shrunken his frame and stared horribly at me as if he had seen a ghost. He suddenly stepped back from his advancement and stared suspiciously at my face and all the other faces around. I jumped down from my stool confidently and observed that his mistress and everyone else were now staring dumbly at both of us. I stepped casually towards him and paused few inches away from his perplexed face.

‘ Hello, Thomas Gbomo, you suddenly appear scared to see me today, hope no problem?’’ I asked and lit a cigarette, then continued. ‘ True, you told me to carry my smile elsewhere the last time I was here, but the problem is the person that gave me that order goes by the name James Agidinbi, alias Vitamin. But right now, I am sure I am speaking with another person called Thomas Gbomo, am I right?’ I threw the question loudly at him.
He stood rooted to his spot and gaped in awe at me. The masculine barman practically rushed out of his position to confront me, so also was the DPO, who rushed forward, his cat eyes angry and spitting fire. Then, the unexpected unfolded, as things started happening simultaneously to everyone surprise. Four plain clothes detectives with drawn guns suddenly appeared among the crowd and surrounded both of us. I equally noted five other secretly planted DSS operatives, three men and two women as they stepped into the setting, this including three other SARS men with loaded threatening guns. You would have loved to see the shock and sudden fear on the face of the Divisional Police Officer as these undercover agents took over the setting. His thin eyes I noticed had become thinner and his massive shaved head look as if it was about to drop from his neck. It took him sometime to fully comprehend what was going on as he stood transfixed and bewildered.
Vitamin on the other hand quickly recovered and dashed towards the door. But other plain clothes detectives, secretly planted by the exits, blocked the swing doors with their massive frames and flashed out their guns. The crowded bar suddenly became a panic zone as the guests dashed for the exit doors, but again, the bulky frames of the operatives stood firm. I was surprised to notice the beautiful figure of Vitamin’s mistress among the panic faces that made for the exit. I gave myself the pleasure of enjoying the drama. The table had suddenly turned and I was now in charge of the whole script, so I made good use of the opportunity. I smiled and stepped forward as everyone focused their attention on me. The silence was good; someone had thought it wise to turn off the music.

‘ Hello, Mr. DPO. I told you I was going to get justice and here we here,’ I announced to the police officer, aware that all eyes were watching and listening.

He stared back blankly and I continued with a smile. ‘ Thank, God, you’re here to witness how justice always unfold,’ I added and turned to face the panic looking face of Vitamin. He now looks despicable with sweat trickling down his forehead. He must have guessed the game was up and his cookies were about to crumble any moment.

‘ Hello, Gbomo,’ I deliberately addressed him once again with is secret native name. A name he had long discarded for the fictitious ones he was now bearing. ‘ This is still a free country and I believe everyone has the right to a smile as ordained by God, on all humans. ‘I paused, smiled at all the faces around, noted their keen interest and then ride on. ‘Nobody controls anywhere under the sun, apart from God the creator and owner of everything occupying a space on earth and all other planets. Therefore, you don’t control anything, not even yourself.’’

They all stared quietly at me as I made my speech with dignity and honour. I noted as some of them nodded their heads and then continued with a smile. ‘ God created and owns water. He owns the lands, the roads ,including all the cheap materialism and vanity you possessed and being arrogant about,’ I paused once again and stared at the faces of his hanger-on and most of them this time nodded their heads in submission, including his now scared looking thugs who all nodded their panic heads in repentance. I grinned warmly at most of them and ride on.

‘Mr. Vitamin,’ I shouted out his name. ‘ I believe most of the people present here today don’t really know the truth about who you are. Am I right?’

He kept quiet and stared frightfully at everyone like a chicken who has come home to roast. Everyone seems to have abandoned him at that moment and the drama was getting more interesting across their view, though most of his followers were still perplexed with what was going on. So, I continued, ignoring his quietness.

‘Well, I think they all deserve to know and this they are about to know,’ I paused and allowed this information to sink in.

Vitamin gaped at me and then stared miserably at the crowd, especially at his hanger-on who ignored his stares with conspicuous frowns on their faces. They all returned their attention to me eagerly with utmost curiosity.

‘Remember what you told me the last time about the wise dog and its hidden tail?’ I asked with a jeering smile. ‘ I believe it’s now your turn to hide your tail, because this is no longer your territory.’ I concluded proudly and stepped back for the detectives to take over.

The leader of the team, an old school mate, stepped forward with a handcuff as the other detectives suddenly closed over Vitamin and place him under arrest.

‘You are under arrest, Thomas Gbomo, your game is over,’ the team leader announced loudly and handcuffed him. He then returned his attention to the crowd. ‘This is Thomas Gbomo, alias Vitamin, one of the most notorious and wanted armed robbers and kidnappers in our list.’ He added as he tightened the steel handcuffs on his wrist. Then asked, ‘ Who are is friends here? If you know him and work with him, step this way,’ he directed and glanced at the crowd.

None among the crowd stepped out or acknowledged his statement; they all glanced hurriedly away as if he was talking about the devil. He then gestured to some of his men and the arrest began. They sieved and picked out some of his known thugs and followers among the crowd and equally rounded up some of the workers at the Calabash. I personally pinpoint the masculine barman and grinned broadly at him as they put the cuffs on his massive fist that had pounded me with no mercy. And then the women; my interest was on the two ladies who had joined in the battering of my face. I picked out their frightened faces from the crowd and our eyes met. My first thought was to pick them out of the crowd and handed them over, but on second thought, I decided against the move and instead smiled broadly at both of them. An action I noticed shocked them and they both smiled back at me.
These were women, and I came into this vanity world through one of them. I still have a mother I cherish so much and some beautiful sisters and other sympathetic women around me. I thought and then turned my attention to the beautiful woman specie that started the whole thing in the first place. I remember reading somewhere that a woman had actually caused one of the world wars. Again, my memory recollected that our first mother on earth, Eve was the woman that stimulated the epic sin that cast the human race into earth and its present malady , this according to the gospel. Then again, the story of the great and strong Sampson and the treacherous Bal-Sheba also crept into my mind. Yes, a woman will always be the most powerful force that could instigate and stimulate any wrong or right action taken by the most powerful man on earth. I concluded as I stared charmingly at Vitamin’s mistress.
She stared back at me and I noted that she saw and equally noted what had transpired between me and the other two women. I guessed she realized that I could have implicated them if I wanted to, but I had ignored their sins with a smile. We both stared at each other silently and she suddenly gave me that seducing smile that caused my trouble. I stared quietly at her, turned and took on some of the faces. I noticed the tense atmosphere and the cocky face of Vitamin on us. Then finally, feeling justified and happy, I returned my gaze towards her and proudly returned her smile.

Epilogue
Few months later, I sat down alone to reflect on one of the haunting episodes of my life as a journalist. I came to a contented conclusion that all that happened, happen as it should. First of all, if I had not gone to the Calabash that Saturday evening to celebrate my birthday and had accidentally shared a smile with Vitamin’s beautiful seductive mistress, things might likely have remain the same. Secondly, Gbomo, alias Vitamin will still be living among us and still in his secret criminal business of armed robbery and syndicated kidnapping. No one would have known or hear that the man I saw some of his thugs buried inside a shallow grave along the highway was actually one of his multi-millionaire kidnapped victims who died of heart attack due to his excessive maltreatment in the hands of him and his thugs. This, notwithstanding, the heartless criminal and his gang still went ahead and milked the family of millions of naira in ransom money.
All these, they were later to confessed to security agencies in the course of their interrogation. And thirdly, the Vitamin’s saga would have been swept under the carpet by some dubious crooks among the security agencies who were under his payroll, but luckily for the nation and the people they were later exposed by his arrest and his subsequent confession and fingering of some of these unpatriotic men and women Judas in the various security agencies. Many high and low ranking uniformed men and women were arrested during the course of the scandalous trial of Vitamin and his gangs, including the cat-eyes DPO and some of his criminally conscripted boys in uniforms and other top government officials. It was one of the biggest sensational criminal trials in the history of the country.
Here was a notorious and dangerous criminal who lived ostentatiously among the people and used his stolen wealth to enticed, buy and controlled their reputation and dignity. He lived a false life, induced and injected them with his unclean money and arrogantly controlled their lives. He capitalized on their greed and weakness for materialism and became their lord and savour, both the old and the young. They were his pawns in his deadly criminal empire. I realized that many other rich criminals are living among us today, in big mansions, with beautiful women and cruised our dilapidated roads in some of the most exotic and expensive cars around. But how many people care? Our society is all about money and how freely you can dish it out to many sycophants who are willing and ready to lick your feet and butt.
Again, thanks to the innocent but fatal smile that led to meeting Vitamin and thanks to the pounding and battering from him and his thugs, if not, they will not have been in jail at the moment. Yes, he and some of his thugs are currently locked up inside one of the dreaded maximum prisons in the country, waiting for the hangman’s rope. A Federal High Court had thoughtfully sentenced him and some of his gang members to death by hanging as a result of the numerous deaths recorded in their hands during some of their deadly robbery and kidnapping operations across the country. I now consciously believe that the beating I received from him and his thugs was a necessary sacrifice meant to happen so as to unmask their criminal minds and deeds to the world.
Most importantly, thanks to his beautiful mistress who innocently shared a fatal smile with me. I reasoned, and silently wondered where she might be at the moment. Nobody ever saw her again since that memorable day. The momentous day I deliberately allowed her and the other two ladies escaped my trap at the Calabash.

END

Chapter 4

It was not actually an easy task to find concrete information about Vitamin and how to nail him. But, thank God, I was a journalist, so I put my profession judiciously into practice. I have in the past instigated various investigations against corrupt powerful men and women in the country and helped revealed and exposed other series of secret and damaging information that became the catalyst that brought down several corrupt public officials and rouge politicians across the country. This, including other private criminals who had committed heinous crimes and thought they had covered their trenches. But working with other journalists and activists we were able to open their can of worms and exposed their criminal ass to the public. And my experience so far had taught me that patience and hope had always played a great part in unmasking these criminals. So, I deployed these two important elements on Vitamin as well.
I used my connection in the police, SSS, DSS, including the army and Civil Defense and other private organizations to get information on the celebrated businessman and his gang. I combed most of the media outlets in the city and nearby states to source for vital information and links on anyone that goes by the name James Agindinbi, alias Vitamin. I checked and cross-checked both old and new newspapers, magazines and other available source of printed or recorded information. But, I realized that he was a clever businessman, or whatever he was. He practically stayed away from the internet and its social media frenzy. There was no profile about him on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Whatsapp or the other popular streaming social media platforms.
Then I went to the courts. I connected with my old friends at some of the courts around and dig for information about past and present cases and convictions. It was not easy but the search finally paid off one afternoon from one of my contacts in a faraway state. I was eager and sweating as I open the brown envelope he sent to me. I tore it open and read the typed words carefully. My heart beat faster as I stared dumbly at the black and white photograph on the page. Although it was an old photograph, but at the same time it was unmistakable the picture of James Agindinbi, alias Vitamin with his name spell out boldly. I noted with excitement what seem like a tribal name among his profile, including his maiden name and village. It was an old criminal case record about a case of theft and robbery. I lit a cigarette and excitedly nourished my soul with a wide smile. I got him! I exclaimed to myself and casually made all the necessary plans and arrangement on how to expose him to the world.

*******
As a Journalist I knew from day one that I was in a dangerous profession. But somebody must be bold to do what need to be done. Again, the occupation has it adventurous side, and I love adventure. However, the most important element that drew me to the profession was the noble act of seeing injustice, reporting it and fighting it with dignity. I have always hated bullies and their cheap complex, and also cherish fighting against maltreatment. I hate to see a housemaid dehumanized and equally love to take on step mothers or fathers who molest and oppress their half children. My soul always feels tickle whenever I had the opportunity to take on a powerful man or woman who selfishly used their position to oppress their subordinates or others below them. I hate it when I see a ‘big’ man suppressed a ‘small’ man. I hate any form of arrogance and class segregation and discrimination likewise.
To me, the only way to fight these myopic maladies was to become a Journalist and luckily I became one and have never regretted it ever since. The profession had brought me across various threats and seclusion in the course of doing my job, but none so far has been more brutal than the one from Vitamin and his gang. Although I was not officially on assignment, but all the same my rights and dignity as a free and law abiding citizen I felt had been violated by a human being with one head, two hands and two legs like me, and I was not going to sit down, take it as it is and allow him to go free. I had in the course of my job fought other peoples battles and this time it was a battle that has to do with myself, my dignity and personality and in God I trust, with a conscience believe that He always manage affairs with justice.
So, I made up my mind and made my way to the Calabash on a Saturday, about two weeks later, dressed in a blue jean, a white long sleeve shirt and a knotted slim tie. I felt confident with my dress, feeling smart and bold in my black suede shoes, although it was a weekend, I wanted to look conspicuous among the crowd. I breezed into the large bar around 5:30pm as noted from my new Swatch plastic watch, my other expensive watch long stolen by Vitamin’s thugs on the night they brushed me. It was a full house I noted silently and made my way to the tall stools by the bar. It was a space that gave me ample view to study the setting. I was lucky to find an empty stool; the last occupier had just left after buying a drink from the masculine barman who gaped at me as I jumped into the empty seat and grinned at him.

‘Hello, Bobo, remember me?’ I asked casually and take in the atmosphere. I noticed his astonishment as he gaped speechlessly at my bruised face.

The bar was lively and busy as usual on weekend and I noted some familiar faces from my last visit. I noticed their surprised look as they gaped at me and I gave them a smile, allowing them a peek at my two missing front teeth. I equally noted the astonished faces of those who assisted Vitamin in battering my frame the last time, including the two ladies who had both been part of the pounding and battering. I grinned at them, but they both wore a frown and looked away. I stared thoughtfully at them and then finally noted the familiar faces of new men and women among the crowd. I was the only one in the setting that knew their true mission at the Calabash that evening.

The music of Davido ‘Gobe’ rant the air as few couples dance sweetly across the bar, while others nodded their high heads in harmony to the beat. But my main prey was yet to show face. I noted and nodded my head equally to the music.

‘Yes, what do you want?’ I heard the barman barked at me from his isolated position behind the counter.

I stared miserably at him and then grinned cynical. ‘Drink, cold, chilled drink,’ I responded.

‘I thought the boss told you not to show your face here again?’ He demanded and ignored my request.

I fain ignorance and stared quizzically at his hard angry face. Just then, my big prey sauntered into the bar glamorously dressed in a white designer native shirt with trouser to match and by his side was his beautiful woman, radiantly dressed in a black silky dress. I watched him swaggered into the setting with an arrogant sway like a tyrannical king with an illusion he was above all and sundry. I noted as some of the crowd suddenly suspended their activities and the sycophancy and homage paying took over.
The most surprising figure among his hanger-on on this particular evening was no other person than the Divisional Police Officer. It actually took me time to spot and recognized him. Dressed in a blue Jean, a stripe T-shirt and canvas and a black taxi driver cap, he was lost in the crowd, but I recognized his cat eyes and massive shaped head. He lined up behind Vitamin as the pompous man proudly acknowledges the greetings and homage being showered on him by his large crowd of sycophants. He must have noticed that I was the only one inside the bar still sitting confidently on my stool with an I-don’t- care attitude at his personality. He suddenly turned towards my direction and stared surprisingly at me. This action drew the attention of his mistress who also stared towards my direction and instantly recognized me. Our eyes met and she devilishly gave me her seductive smile once again.

Chapter 3

The DPO stared at me with an astonished look as his thin eyes scoffed me. I believed he thought I had gone mad or something, but all the same, he kept silence and chewed over my request with a frown.

‘ Excuse me, officer, can you lend me your phone for a minute, I need to show you something,’ these were the exact words I had said when I requested for his phone. The question threw him off balance, and his thin eyes screwed up in a frown as he swept off his phone from the table and then stared unfriendly at me.

‘ Come my friend, are you mentally okay? What do you need my phone for? Or does it look like the one you reported stolen from you?’ he demanded angrily.

‘ No, officer, this is not my phone, I just wanted to show you something from the internet,’

He glared at me suspiciously for some seconds and then surprisingly handed me the phone. I took the Samsung mobile soft screen phone and using my proficiency; I quickly opened the Google browser, typed my name and searched for my profile. I displayed my internet profile proudly to him to his astonishment. I watched him as is thin eyes recognized my smiling photo from my twitter account and then back at my real face before him. He then let out a mischievous grin as he read through the content.

‘Okay, I now believe who you say you are, but you still need to understand our situation,’ He finally hissed out reluctantly. ‘Look, Mr. Journalist, some people are more powerful than us in this country. What exactly do you expect me to do with such a powerful rich man with all his big connections?’

I listened to his babbling with a frown, and then finally grinned broadly at him. ‘Okay, officer, I understand your predicament and tight situation. Don’t worry, I will handle him myself. I am a journalist with training on how to professionally handle powerful people. All I need from you is his full details. I want his full names, background and occupation. That is all. I will carry on from there.’ I told him still grinning.

He thought over my statement, calculated my threat, and then finally shook his shaved head in a disapproved manner. He stared thoughtfully at me, returned to his desk and pulled out a file. He stared through the content and to my surprised handed it to me.

‘’ Okay, take, read and write what you want and hand it back, I will give you five minutes.’ He said, lit a cigarette and stared more suspiciously at me with his tiny cop eyes as I jolted down the relevant information with my pen and paper. I told myself that it was now important to fight back this powerful enemy who seems to frighten everyone around, including the police.



*******
Using my experience and connection as a shrewd investigative freelance Journalist, I went to work on the issue the next day. I lied to some of my colleagues and neighbours who were curious and worried over my battered frame that I had a bike accident. Although I knew most of them did not believe my story, but there was nothing they could do to get the real story out of me. So they left me to my pains, but gave me all the necessary support they could offer.
I got to know the name of my tormentor as James Agindingbi, alias Vitamin, few days later as I dig into my links and connection in the media world. He called himself a successful businessman with vast interest in import and export of various homemade and foreign goods. I got know he lived in one of the most expensive and exclusive mansions in the estate and ride some of the most exotic cars in the whole city. Information available to me indicated that he has strong connection with some high profile who-is-who in the country and bedded some of the most beautiful women around. Although he was said to be married, but you will always find him with different women at a go; his latest conquest I was made to know was the longest mistress he has ever kept, because he was in love with her, so my sources told me. The most shocking of the information was the news on how he single handedly pay the police in the estate a monthly package and even some military men work under his payroll.

Mr. Vitamin as he was called by all and sundry got his nickname because of his generosity to whoever suited his ego. The talk was that once he decided to give you something he does so with a big heart. Thus, he injects his followers and admirers with some vitamin of cash. Well, all these did not impress me. All I was interested in was how to take my pound of revenge, and to do this, I must find something bad about him. So, I went to work again.
I finally got a break on the fifth day of my private investigation since I began my one man’s exploration and mission in different disguise against this popular but mysterious fellow. I had been to the large estate twice, first disguised as an estate agent. I used the opportunity to explore the estate and get myself familiar with some part of the exclusive domain and its pampered inhabitants. I engaged the service of a local house agent to carry me to the estate with a lie that I had a rich client who was interested in buying a property inside the rich layout. So we both went around the vast estate in search of any structure for sell. It was during the visit that I got to know and saw Vitamin’s massive mansion. It was a four storey building with a penthouse and a rooftop swimming pool. I noted the presence of a uniformed policeman and two other equally dressed civilian characters in private guard uniform who look more like thugs beside the black gigantic gate with a high wall that look like a prison yard.
My escort, a thin, starved looking fellow in his late fifties drove us past the structure in his manageable Toyota and proudly explained the setting to me. He told me the house has several CCTV cameras mounted in strategic positions around and outside the large compound and any curious or unwanted intruder could easily be detected from afar and arrested and dealt with by Vitamin’s boys. I nodded at his explanation with fear and surprise, and then proudly told him I hardly visit a house uninvited which he nodded to and smiled broadly with is nicotine stained tooth. I went back to the estate the second time disguise as an official of the Local Area Council. This time I was alone with a skull cap and a caftan to hide my bruises and frame from recognition. I exploited the large estate, got news and information about the going on around the place and finally concluded that there was something fishy and out of place at the rich estate.
I got to know that seventy percent of the houses in the estate belong to Vitamin and surprisingly nobody could actually pinpoint his source of wealth. All they knew about him is the legend that he is a rich generous business man who invaded the area with his wealth few years ago and bought most of the lands and houses at a go. To me, this was interesting news and a good lead to unravel or unmask him and his source of wealth. I got my break like I said, on the fifth day.
Dressed like an Okada rider (commercial motorcyclist) in a dirty jacket and a weather beaten fez cap, and with a healthy bike I borrowed from a trusted okada rider, I made my way into the estate with a female passenger I had picked along the way. I realized she was a lucky pick later as I dropped her by the estate gates. The lady insisted that I must drive her into the estate but I refused and told her that commercial bikes were not allowed into the estate from my experience.

‘ Who say so? Don’t worry, you’re safe, I work for the boss,’ na we get this estate,’’ she boasted in pidgin.
Her respond in true sense jolted my senses and I became alert, but fain ignorance as well.

‘’Which boss, me I dey fear wahala o, madam,’’ I told her with a doubtful tune.

‘’ Don’t worry, I work with Oga Vitamin, this is an emergency. I will explain to them, just drive in,’’ she persuaded me, as if I needed much persuasion.

The information gingered me as expected and I drove her confidently into the estate. She instructed me to wait for her by the mansion, said something to the thugs and the unformed policeman by the gate who all stared suspiciously at me like foxes inside a trap and then nodded their heads. The lady dashed into the compound and emerged few minutes later. She further instructed me to take her elsewhere within the city and it was during the course of this journey that I struck up conversation with her.
Although neatly dressed, I noted that she was not quite educated. Tall and slim with a mouth much like that of a canary, and corny eyes, she told me she was twenty eight, single and has been working for Mr. Vitamin for close to five years. She explained that one of their staffs was sick somewhere in the house we were heading to and probably dead by now. She cunningly evaded my questions on why the guy was sick or what happened to him; all the same she told me one or two things that rang a note inside my brain.
We finally got to our destination and she paid me off handsomely. I thanked her and drove away. But I was not really gone. I gave myself few minutes, parked my bike close to a Mallam with a cigarette kiosk and other provisions, bought few sticks from him and a sachet water, then excused myself and sauntered back to the street to take a proper look.
The house was an old structure with a massive gate and tall imposing wall. It was the kind of house you can’t get into if you were not taken in. There was no sign of any guard outside, but I was certain someone was inside somewhere watching with keen suspicious eyes. I went past the house casually and noted that it share no fence with any of the other buildings around. I had moved a little bit away when I heard the gate rattled loudly.
I was quick to notice a van with some occupants as they drove out of the compound and headed towards the major road. I dashed back to my bike unnoticed and went after them. I drove from a little distance and followed the van towards an outskirt of the city, and towards a thick bush few distance away from the major highway. I conceal my bike inside a tall mountain of grass and went after them on foot, dodging here and there.
Few minutes later I was confronted with an atrocious scene that explained what the four men inside the van had drove there to do. I watched from my hidden position as the four hard looking men took turn to dig what look like a shallow grave oblivious that I was nearby watching them. They finished few minutes later and I watched them dragged the corpse of an elderly man and dumped it carelessly into the hole and then went about covering the clothed body in native dress with soil and leaves. Satisfied, they got back into their van and drove out of the bush towards the highway.
I instantly knew that I now have something terrible about Vitamin and his gang to nail him with but how to go about it was now the next step. So I drove out of the bush and went to work with a determination and promise to unveil the mask covering the true face of a mysterious businessman popularly called Mr. Vitamin.

Chapter 2

I woke up to the sound of noisy traffic and the loud competing sound of voices around me. I blinked my bruised eyes and tried to lift my fractured body from the cold ground, but it was as if I was trying to lift some sacks of sand. Someone among the crowd finally brazed up and rushed to my aid, followed by two other sympathetic commercial motorcyclists who parked their bikes and gave my limped frame some strong support.
I nursed my swollen face and broken mouth few minutes later inside a roadside chemist, surrounded by a curious crowd who demanded to know what happened and who I was. Others equally demanded to know my mission at the rich estate. I even overheard someone suggesting that I might be a member of an armed robbery gang or any of the notorious kidnap gangs around. But I was glad when someone among them finally took over leadership of the charged crowd and authoritatively asked who I was and my mission there. I was just about to open my swollen lips when I noticed two uniformed policemen pushed into the crowd and confronted me with their riffles.

‘Where is the thief?’ one of them demanded threatening with his riffle.

The crowd dispatched backward and most of them quickly scampered away from the scene. You can’t blame them, nobody in his right sense remains at a scene of a crime to be a witness for the police across the country, unless that person has a thick skin to withstand the various police interrogation and intimidation that would follow. Although I was physically beaten and weak, but deep inside me, I suddenly felt a surge of strength from my inner spirit. I knew I was in a dangerous situation, despite the glaring fact that justice should belong to me, given the way I was humanly abused and physically beaten and discriminated upon by a fellow citizen and a human being like me. Where is the law? Where is justice? These were the two strong elements that gave me the strength to stand against the police, their threatening guns and the suspicious mob with their torrent of questions. My instinct told me that I was right and has committed no wrongdoing to warrant their mob action. I had not committed an offence by going into the estate and inside the Calabash. It was not a criminal liability, so it was not a criminal offence. I must stand up to defend my rights and tell all these people that I was the one that deserves sympathy and justice. I won’t relax and allow the mob to descend on me. I told myself and faced the policemen confidently.

‘ Look officer, listen , I am not a thief. I am a Nigerian Journalist whose right has been trampled upon by my fellow citizens, men and women. I demand justice!’ I shouted angrily at the crowd.

I noticed the sudden confusion on their faces and the reflex of caution on those of the policemen. I was happy that I scored a point with my bold words. It was one of the tricks of disarming the police in the country. Just make sure to have the ability to speak good grammatical English and you gain their respect and at the same time in awe of you. The crowd stood back and gaped at my ID card now in my hand with my photograph broadly smiling at all of them. I flashed it across their faces proudly and then gradually lifted my beaten frame painfully from my seat.

‘ Take me to the police station,’ I told them boldly and took some steps forward to the amazement of all, including the two policemen who nodded and maneuvered me towards their old pick up van.

‘ Who go pay for the treatment and drugs’ the chemist, a thin looking man with long hands and quick fingers demanded suspiciously.
‘ No worry my car still dey here,’’ I pointed out in pidgin as well and indicated my BMW car still parked in front of the Calabash where I had left it the previous night.

The policemen and the crowd gape at the blue car as if they were all seeing a four leg moving machine for the first time. I noted their look of admiration and sudden respect for me. That is my country for you. We now have many in the majority who worship and glorify materialism and owning a car is one sure way of getting respect and adoration from them.

*******
We got to the police station few minutes later, followed by few bold men among the crowd. I had resolved along the way not to give in to fear or intimidation from the police or anyone. This is my country and I have every right like any other citizen to seek for justice. I had the conscience feeling that I was in the right and must use every available power at my disposal to redeem my beaten honour and dignity. I was glad that I had used my profession to confront the two gun wielding policemen. Who know what would have happen if I did not tell them I was a journalist and had my identification card to support my claim.
Tales of policemen brutalizing and killing various suspects across the country was still rampant in the news and cases of overzealous and trigger happy policemen is now part of the story. Again, the barbaric jungle justice doctrine was still widespread and ongoing in some part of the country. I was relieved that I resisted the situation whereby the angry mob would have descend furiously on me like a common criminal and set me ablaze barbarically in the cheerful eyes of all. I realized that staying bold was my only option in the crazy situation. I reminded myself as the policemen ensnare me into their enclave.
The police station, despite being in a rich estate like the Uphill Estate, still had that familiar stench of a typical police station in the country. I noted that two uniformed policemen and a woman Sergeant had the front desk under their sentinel with suspicious eyes at every new face around. They all stared suspiciously at me as I was led into the station and reminded behind the counter. One of the policemen who had brought me reported something to the woman sergeant who stared more suspiciously at my battered face and swollen lips. We stared at each other for some seconds and the suspicious in her eyes turned slightly into respect.
I was led into the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) few minutes later after some suspicious interrogation by the woman sergeant and her two colleagues at the front desk. The DPO, a bulky looking, tough sounding police officer with a shaved round head and two tiny suspicious eyes, stared suspiciously at me without emotion as I reeled out my dilemma. His cat like eyes just bored into mine as if he was trying to catch a lie from them. I told him how I drove more than 30 kilometers from my abode at Zanga Area Council down to Uphill Estate just to have fun and celebrate my birthday in a quite isolated club and how the Calabash club had caught my fancy and attracted my curiosity and my subsequent visit to the place. I painted my meeting with the strange man and his woman inside the bar explicitly, including their aura, and my confrontation with the man and then finally to the heavy beating and pounding in the hands of the man and his thugs.
The round head D.P.O listened attentively to me without a blink of a response. He just sat there on his heavy bulk and stared at me the way every policeman stares at every criminal with a curious but suspicious demur. Then finally, he shifted his bulk, picked up my written statement that I had written at the front desk, stared suspiciously at the paper and then relaxed back on his chair.

‘’ So this is your first time in our exclusive environment?’ he finally asked in his tough voice, his thin eyes bored into mine.

‘ Yes, this is my first time here in the estate,’ I responded boldly

‘And you say you are a journalist, Mr. Tumba Kimba , am I right? And which of the media exactly do you work for?’ He threw the question across the room.

‘You can see it on my ID card and on the address I wrote down, Yes, my name is Tumba Kimba, you’re correct’ I responded without shifting ground to his tough voice.

He stared once more at the paper, read part of the statement and then nodded thoughtfully.

‘ Okay. Mr. Journalist, why did you decide to get into a fight with our oga?’ He suddenly demanded.

It was now my turn to stared curiously at him, which I did with a surprised look. ‘ Your, oga, I don’t understand, officer,’ I voiced out with a surprise look. I was certain the man I had a rough encounter with yesterday was not a police officer nor has anything to do with the police force by his statement and boasting. So I thought, but I was soon to find out.

‘ I did not fight any police man or an officer and I am sure that the man who did this physical harm to me was not a policeman,’’ I told him.

‘ So you think it is only police officers in uniform or other uniform men that are only our ogas. You are wrong my friend. We live by the grace of other big people,’’ he proudly announced with a sardonic grin.

I stared more confusingly at him, unable to comprehend his statement at first, then the thing hit me and I frowned up at him.

‘ So you mean the man that beat me and also ordered his boys to beat me black and blue and punched out my two teeth is also your boss?’ I burst out angrily, not knowing what got into me at that moment. All I realized was that I was filled with a sudden rage and ready to climb the roof.

My question must have come as a surprised to him, especially my outburst and the raging fire in my eyes, for his thin eyes suddenly sobered and he pushed his bulky frame up from his cranky chair.

‘Alright, Mr. Journalist, I don’t want wahala in my station, what do you want?’ he asked in a soft tone, his cat eyes now greased with a faint smile.

I controlled my inner rage and stared thoughtfully into space certain that I had made a score. I told myself that I must remain bold and confident in the face of the present circumstances. So I kept silence and thought over his question.

‘Look Mr. Journalist, I have other important cases at the moment. You journalists are always causing problems wherever you go in this country and I don’t want any of your wahala stories. So tell me what you want and let’s see what we can do?’ he finally reeled out in his unfriendly one.

‘Alright, officer, I want justice and I demand for my right and privilege as a natural citizen of this country,’ I responded flatly.

‘So what do you want us to do?’

‘ I want the law to take its cause. I have not committed any wrongdoing, so I want justice to come into this issue. I want that man and his thugs arrested. I don’t care who he is or his position,’ I rolled out, paused for some seconds and went on. ‘ I think I have the right to know my offence that merited my merciless beating and humiliation in the hands of these people. I see this as a criminal liability for the man and his boys being all fully competent adult to have excusably and unjustifiably acted upon and executed their selfish desire to damage my person physically. I demand justice from the law and I am ready to go to any lent to redeem my image and my dignity,’ I spurted out angrily, rattling his brain with some legal jargon.

‘ I don’t think that will be possible, not here, not in this estate,’ he finally responded after pondering over my request for some minutes with a shocked look on his thin eyes.

I stared thoughtfully at him for some seconds and then nodded with a cynical grin. This was the right moment to drop the ‘Journalist threat’.’ I told myself and then gave it to him straight with a confident tone.

‘Okay, Officer, since this is the way it is going to be. Well, I think I should also inform you about what I am going to do as a journalist. First, be certain that I am going to write this story and make it headline news in most local and national newspapers and also make sure that international news media like the BBC, CNN, and Aljazeera, all air the story. Secondly, I am going to write a petition to the commissioner of police, including the Inspector General, the Police Service Commission, the National Assembly and the Presidency,’ I paused to let my statement sink in and then ride on.
‘Officer, I am a writer and I have the power of the pen that I am ready to unleash on this case, unless my rights are respected and justice invited to settle this issue. I will not give in to any unreasonable human being with a cheap complex mind to beat me up like this and allow him to go scot-free, never!’ I exclaimed and continued, ignoring his frown and silence. ‘ I am willing and ready to take up this issue to the International Criminal Court if it warrant.’ I concluded and then kept a blank face.

His thin eyes pieced into me thoughtfully, obviously trying to weight my threats. I knew my threats was something any sensible police officer won’t be so daft about and take lightly, given what journalists were currently doing in the country as regard the fight against corruption, nepotism, police overzealous, segregation and other forms of crimes against humanity prevalent in the country. And the country’s members of the pen were in the forefront of advocating for a total rebranding and reorganizing of the police force and other inefficient and corruption infested government agencies across the country. I was actually ready to go to anywhere to fight for my right and ensure that justice was not denied me. I realized that apart from the heavy pounding my body received in the hands of the man and his boys, I also lost my Android phone, including my wallet, my car and apartment keys.

‘ Okay, you have to give us time to investigate the matter and get to the root. This we cannot do in a hurry. So give us time,’’ The voice of the DPO cracked into my thoughts.

‘ Time, how long are you talking about here?’ I asked with a frown.

‘Well, I cannot give you a specific time or date at this moment. Maybe next week or thereabout, but I assure you that we are going to do something,’ he responded with a jarring grin.

My experience as a journalist who had covered series of police cases told me he was bluffing. My instinct warned me that this could be the end of the case if I succumbed to his suggestion. Next week could turn to next month and next month to next year. I reminded myself. Experience has equally thought me that most high profile cases or low ones in most police stations were all cash and carry. Whoever has the highest price to pay the police enjoy favourable justice at the end of the day. No, I won’t fall a sucker to his trick, I assured myself and suddenly stared at his black Samsung mobile phone and then made my move.

CHAPTER 1

I am still finding it difficult to believe that a simple friendly smile actually led to my problem. It was a smile that almost cost me my life and left me with a deep scar across my face. A simple smile I had innocently returned as a mark of respect to a beautiful woman who first started the smile sharing. Although if someone had warned me and categorically told me that I might regret my birthday this year, I don’t know if I would have believed him, given the fact that this yearly day was always a very important day in my life, as a 40 year old journalist.
The whole drama had began on my birthday, a day I wanted to celebrate quietly alone, to overpower the fangs of loneliness that wanted to suppress me indoors and also repress my happiness on this all important day. I thought it was more important to get out of the house and have a change of scene, away from my various problems and worries. I wanted my mind to catch fun and my eyes to catch a glimpse of something fresh, spectacular or inspiring. It was these motivational factors that inspired my mood that day Saturday as I confidently stepped into the Calabash Bar around 5:36pm, I knew the exact time, because I noted it from my pricey wrist watch. It was actually my first time at the Calabash, an African exquisite joint with strictly African designs and rich handmade touch, including the large bar with gaily and lively people.
It was the right kind of scenario I was looking for at that moment and it suited my mood. This is the right place, I told myself with a tickled feeling of excitement, as the sultry voice of Tiwa Savage filtered out smoothly from some hidden speakers and her seductive shape dance seductively from a large plasma TV at a corner of the expanse bar with many eyes glued admiringly to her dancing steps.
I took in the atmosphere and quietly studied my environment as I sauntered confidently into the setting in my blue jean and multi colour African print shirt and loose sandals. I made straight for the bar, picked a seat and smiled broadly at a masculine barman and then ordered for a drink.
I busied my eyes with stolen stares at the crowd and quietly noted some faces, both men and women. They also either stared back at me with blank eyes or frown up before returning their gaze elsewhere. I smiled to myself and relaxed more to enjoy the atmosphere with the music and the gaily people around. I took a long swing at my bottle after rejecting the glass cup from the barman and was in the process of lighting up a stick of cigarette when a well dressed man about my age, stepped into the bar with one of the most beautiful female face and figure any man would wish to claim and any woman would wish to possess, if given the opportunity.
I blinked my eyes twice at the female figure in a red satin dress and felt a sharp rise to the tickling of my heart. I equally noted the sudden momentary pause of the various activities going on inside the crowded bar as some of the men and women sprang up from their seats and stared admiringly or jealously at the couple. It was as if the time stopped at that moment as all attention centered on the newcomer. Then she did the unexpected. The woman suddenly turned her gaze towards me and gave me one of the most charming smiles that ever came my way.
Mesmerized and perplexed by this harmless smile, I did the right thing at that moment, or so I thought. I blinked my eyes and gave her one of my most realistic sweet smiles. Then trouble tumbled in. Her companion, a tall broad shouldered guy with a square head and a snake like eyes, noted the exchange of smiles between us and then let out a wolfish grin. He piloted her towards a reserved table for two and then watched as she dropped her curvy shape into one of the seats. He then dropped his big frame on the next seat where he could observe the other curious eyes inside the bar. The head chef suddenly dashed forward to their table, bowed with a wide smile, took their orders and then scurried away as if someone was actually after his life.
Then the homage paying began. I was surprised and curious as I watched some of the men abandoned their seats, sauntered to their isolated table and respectfully bow their heads in greeting in an homage fashion to the man and his beautiful woman. I noted the respectful bow of heads, the revered handshakes and the exchanged of little banter as the man smiled proudly at them. Done, they all piled back to their tables and allowed the man and his woman some ample space to enjoy their sumptuous meal and drinks peacefully.
I was still rooted on my seat and on my second bottle with the music of 2 Baba now taking over the background when I noticed the affluent man pushed back his seat and sauntered confidently towards my direction with his wolfish grin. I had the impression he was heading towards the gents, but I was surprise when he paused beside me and picked the next stool by my side. He then stared quizzically at my face and scrutinized my clothing before his snake eyes bored back to me with a frown. All these moment I noted that the barman stood rigid to his position with a look of respect for the man and that of contempt to my cheerful face.

‘ Yes, Smile Guy, I noticed you sharing your smile with my woman?’ I heard the man demanded scornfully.
I kept silent and stared back thoughtfully at him, noting the sudden silence inside the bar as well.

‘ So, tell me, Smile Guy, You know her somewhere?’ he demanded in his soft but commanding tone.

‘No , I don’t ,’ I responded, wanting to say something and I noticed the attention of his woman was now on us.

‘ Then why the smile,?’ he asked with his wolfish grin.

I stared at him intently for some seconds and then gave him a broad smile. ‘ I thought smiles are suppose to be free.’ I responded, now bored with his questions and presence.
He thought over my statement with his snake eyes boring into me the more and then his wolfish grin again. ‘ Well, not here. We don’t welcome strange smiles from strange faces here,’’ he announced loudly and lit a cigarette then blew smolder of smoke across my face.

‘My apology, I never knew this. This is actually my first time here and I love the setting,’ I replied with a smile, aware of the various eyes on us.

‘Then keep your smiles to yourself. I don’t like your face and I don’t like your smile. I hope you understand now?’ he commanded with a frown.

I thought over his words and shook my head. I suddenly felt like an expatriate or rather a second hand citizen right here in my country. This was something I knew I was not ready to take from anyone; No, not with my education and background as a journalist.

‘ No, I don’t understand,’ I retorted back with a sad frown.

He did a double take and stared back surprisingly at me as if I had just punched him on the face.

‘ Really, I see. Then I will advise you to pack yourself and your strange smile into your body and get out of here as fast as your legs could carry you.’ He commanded, glanced at his rich Chronograph wrist watch and then continued. ‘ I will give you five minutes – pronto,’

I stared surprisingly at him and then at the crowd with a mischievous look. I then ruptured into laugh as the music of Whiz kid ‘Ojuelegba’ fill in the background.

‘ I guess you’re joking, what a nice joke. Today is actually my birthday, and I think I can welcome any joke today,’ I told him with a wide smile.

He listened to my rambling with a silence stare at his watch. He then dropped down from his stool and arranged his clothing, an expensive looking safari suite that must have cost him some hundred thousand of naira. I calculated as he smiled at his woman and then turn and gave my face the hardest punch in my life, knocking me instantly across the floor.
I heard the music of Whiz kid faintly as I regained my senses, for the punch had momentary knocked me out of my reasoning at that moment. I struggled up and staggered to and fro like a floating kite and then regained my balance. I stared at him with a mad rage and rushed him blindly. Nobody was going to knocked me down like that and just walk away free. I assured myself as I charged furiously towards his confidence frame and grinning face.
I was just few inches away from grabbing his safari suite when I felt some steel like hands grabbed me from behind and pinned my face down on the floor, few inches away from his black suede boot. I gave up any resistance and tried to stare around. My swollen face gazed towards the woman who had caused all this and our eyes locked. I noted the look of horror and sadness on her pretty face and then boldly gave her a wide smile, which everyone around saw, including my tormentor.

‘ I see, you still have the strength to smile? He hissed out and lit a cigarette. ‘ A wise dog hide its tail once out of its territory. But since you have refused to learn and behave like a wise dog, then I think I should show you how I control this place and this town. This is my territory and I run the show here,’ He announced proudly, paused and glance around the bar for confirmation of his statement. I noted as almost every head in the bar nodded in support of his proclamation. He smiled broadly and then continued.

‘ I own and control this place, so I control who enters here or not. I control the light in this area. I control the water, the roads, shops and the market. I control the estate and I decide who clubs here or not, and right now, I have decided to booth you out of this club, my club. So get out,’

With that, he lashed out at my face with his boot and caught me with a kick that knocked my mouth sideway. ‘Show him how to keep his tail hidden in a strange place,’ he commanded the hands pinning me down and the multiple kicks and pounding commenced.

They dragged me up and gave my frame some of the hardest pounding and beating it has ever received. I noticed that the masculine barman was topmost among those pounding me. He gazed joyfully at my face and pounded my head with his massive palms. Nothing gave me much surprise than the angry face of two ladies in the bar. They also joined in kicking my stomach with satisfied grins on their powdered face. I could barely hear the music of Olamide’ Story for the gods’ from the background as they dragged me across the bar like a deadwood and dumped me outside across the deserted street, right inside the chilled harmattan.
I thought the beating was over, but I was in for a second round as they once again descended on my broken frame and dished me two heavy kicks across the face, this instantly knocked out two of my front teeth. They finally gave me some fast punches that finally knocked me out cold and blanked me out of existence.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Lagos, Nigeria

The Murtala international Airport, Ikeja, Lagos is one of Nigerian largest and most important airports. It was name after the country’s charismatic and most effective leader since independence, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed. The airport is one of the busiest in the country given its location in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest economic city. It consists of a domestic and international terminal, located about one kilometer from each other and both share the same runaways with the international terminal modeled after Amsterdam Airport, it was top on the list of the busiest airports in Africa.
An ARIK airline landed at the domestic terminal few minutes after three in the afternoon and the passengers piled out one after the other, among them a sleeping looking Colour, an alert Ken Solomon and an excited looking Chambers who beamed at everything on sight. They made their way among other passengers towards the terminal. Ken Solomon was very alert watching every movement around him with a sense of alertness. He had read so much about the famous airport and its reputation of notorious fraudsters and other criminal elements that come in disguised. His suspicious mind imagined some of the faces around as one of the criminals who had swindled him now watching his movement. This people could be more dangerous than he had earlier conjured. If they could sit down somewhere here, manipulated his brain, and sucked him out of his money, then they could as well know his movement. He concluded as they move towards the exit counter in the crowded terminal.
They took a taxi straight to the Balcony Hotel, where KS had insisted this time, he rather be held hostage inside a famous hotel right now than in an obscured place. He told himself and then asked Colour to arrange things as usual; this was a shift from their earlier plan to stay in a comfortable obscure hotel. All the same Colour called the hotel and made reservations through online booking in the five star hotel.
This was a delighted change of arrangement to Chambers who beamed with smile all the way from the airport all through their arrival at the Balcony hotel, Ikeja. It was actually one of the happiest moments in his life. He wished this sudden rich adventure in his life would never end. Although only he knew he was lying at the moment, things could fall in his favour as they move through the days. He reasoned as he sat quietly beside the driver inside their posh private operated taxi amid the song of Lagbaja ‘Gra-Gra’ from the car stereo.
Ken Solomon on the other hand was busy admiring the bustling life of Lagos, the high-rise buildings, the lagoon and the visible slums dotting the landscape like scattered garbage.

‘’ You know what?’’ He finally asked a thoughtful looking and sleepy Colour.

‘’What?’’ Colour yawned and then stared sleepily at him

‘’ If not for the massive corruption and fraudulent activities that your country is notorious with, I tell you this: you have one of the most captivating and lively cities in the world.’’ KS announced in his cynical grin.

Colour stared quietly at him as KS rattled on. ‘’ I noticed your people taste for big beautiful mansions right from Abuja, down to Kaduna and here in Lagos. But unfortunate, just big beautiful empty houses guarded by slums.’’ KS told him mockingly.

‘’ What do you mean, this is Lagos.’’ Colour defended and sat up to admired the fast moving lives of commuters across the ever busy and ever lively Lagos roads.

‘’ Yes, I noticed the big signpost and the bold statement everywhere, but why encouraged the slums to remain around these multi-billion naira structures? Why inject millions of naira on a big house when you cannot sacrifice just few naira on the road leading to this fanciful residence? I mean its poor thinking, if you can build a mansion amidst glaring poverty around you.’’

‘’ Yes, I think I agree with you here. Most of those beautiful houses you saw in Abuja as you rightly noticed are empty, but with invincible occupants.’’ Colour told him with a smile.

‘’ Invincible occupants, what do you mean?’’

‘’ Okay, let me explain. These fanciful big houses with green lawns, some with swimming pools, organized drainage and all the other fanciful things you see in modern houses are mostly occupied by lizards, snakes, spiders, scorpions, rats and other rodents who are keeping the empty spaces alive.’’ Colour told him and then chuckled.

Ken Solomon stared thoughtfully at him and then ruptured into laugh as their car cut through the traffic along the busy Ikeja and linked up Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, the popular road on which the famous Balcony Hotel was located.

‘’ Yeah, a beautiful nonsense, just the way I see many beautiful big cars across various roads in your country with lots of hard working mechanics tending to some of them diagonally in many garages. Yet, your rich country cannot rally these creative minds around to create a made in Nigeria car. Instead, your rich politicians, government officials and other rich entrepreneurs spent billions of naira in capital flight every year importing cars from Europe, Asia and America. Funnily, your mechanics are good at dismantling and assembling these imported cars made by men like them,’’ KS said and then ruptured into laugh again as they stared thoughtfully at him and drove towards the Balcony Hotel.

***********
This decision by the Free-Hands was one of the biggest mistakes they made. Their one-sided reasoning that the EFCC would join the trail of the suicide bomber hunters across the country later proved them wrong. Because while the news of the bombing had shocked every law enforcement agency in the country and stole their attentions; it did not changed the focus of the EFCC and its Operation Water team, rather it gave them an opportunity to strike while most attention was centered on the suicide attack. The order to continue with their hunt came to Mai-Coins, Diza and Etim as they followed the news from the TV screen inside Mai-Coin’s room at Obudu resort where they had set up a temporary office. The cabled message had been brief and coded.

‘’ You can resume dredging the well, until the source of water is located. Reports indicate you are almost at the bottom.’’

Averagely, a novice would see this as a directive to keep digging for water from a well, but a prudent brain might see it as a coded message, which exactly was what it was. The directive from the boss of the EFCC to his team was to carry on with their pursue of the Free -Hands and to ensure that Smoke was located, and that the reports he had so far received on the operation indicated that they were almost there.
It was based on this directive that Mai-Coins urgently called a meeting in his room to review what has been happening to their chase since the suicide attack. And at the end of the short meeting, the group decided to head on immediately to Tinapa, as their investigation within the few hours showed that the two members of the Free-Hands had sneaked out of the Obudu resort few hours after their meeting and boarded a charted car to the famous leisure centre. Consequently, they packed their bags, settled their bills and drove out of Obudu ranch in a tinted metallic Range Rover with Etim at the wheel and Mai-Coins by his side on the passenger seat while Diza sat relaxed with her eyes shut in the backseat.


******
The trio of Ken Solomom, Colour and Chambers thinking that they could remain in Kaduna for two more days before making another move were jolted with more shocking news the next day as they all had a quite siesta inside their respective rooms, away from the scorching sun outside. Chambers who had been uncomfortable since the news of the Abuja bomb blast had since made it a habit to keep the TV in his room on at all time and his ears more to the ground. Therefore, he was the first to hear that another bomb blast had just occurred in Kaduna, somewhere close to Unguwar Sarki in the metropolis, killing a police officer.
According to report from the scanty news from Al-Jazeera, a bomb disposal officer of the Nigerian Police Force who had attempted to investigate a device concealed inside a black polythene bag in the glare of spectators was blown up and died instantly. The decapitated body of the patriotic police officer went viral on social media few minutes later.
It was a frightened Chambers who jumped out of his cozy bed and ran to look for Colour and Ken Solomon once again. He banged into Colour’s room; practically dragged him out of bed with constant exclamation of bomb! bomb! He then frantically briefly explained what he had heard on TV and the horrific picture of the decapitated body of the police officer.
Colour quickly put on the TV in his room and the news was all over the channels. He then went online to confirm the photo story. He briefly read the news on one of the sites, stared horrible at the body half-blown body of the dead policeman, grimaced and then dashed out of the room followed by a panic stricken Chambers. They banged into a sleeping Ken Solomon and woke him up with their noise.

‘’ What is going on? ‘’ KS asked and sat up with an alarmed look.

‘’ There has been another bomb blast, right here in Kaduna.’’ Colour told him and then quickly explained what was going on. They all stared once more at the horrific picture now popular on the internet.

‘’ It is time to pack and check out of this town I guess.’’ Ken Solomon finally said to the delight of Chambers who jumped up with excitement and dashed for the door.

‘’ Correct talk, Whiteman; Make I go pack my bag.’’ With that, he sprang out of the room before any of them could change his mind and call him back.

Thirty-five minutes later, they all boarded a chartered taxi and headed to the airport after arranging with the hotel manager to pay someone to drive their car to Lagos. The latest bomb incident had jolted KS and he thought it wise and safer to travel by air as the twelve hours journey by road was no longer safe for him. He had reasoned. Therefore, he asked Colour to arrange for a straight flight to Lagos. This arrangement had gladdened no one better than Chambers who was not only happy to hear the news; it was also an opportunity to travel by air for the first time in his life.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

While the news of the suicide bombing had put fear in the minds of Chambers, Colour and Ken Solomon, it was a different scenario on the part of some members of the Free-Hands. In fact, the news came to them as a relief. They saw the unforeseen event as a temporary release from their anxieties from the law. They viewed it as a blessing and believed it will help turn away the searching eyes of law enforcement agents on them, including the suspicious curious eyes of other lodgers around the Tinapa for a while.
The suicide bomber story they calculated would be the next hottest news across the country in the next couple of days, weeks or probably months to come; it was bound to keep the police, and other security operatives more engaged. This they visualized would give them enough time to strategies and enjoy themselves with the millions in their hands. Smoke on hearing the news had summoned the group to his room where they held an urgent meeting. Present at the short meeting were Skinny and Lizzy who had both returned to the Tinapa from Obudu under the dark cover of the night as they wanted to be careful not to arouse the suspicious of the other members who might be wondering what they were still doing at the ranch. Moreover, they never told Smoke they were going to spend the night there. They had both agreed to leave the ranch secretly after their meeting with the clients from Fingers Consultants. They returned to Tinapa, spilled Smoke and the rest of the gang a cooked up story of the need to return to Obudu ranch on Monday and had secretly planned their trip back to meet the team from Fingers Consultants and finally seal their multi-million dollar deal.
However, the unexpected suicide attack at the police headquarter unexpectedly crept into that important day, and shattered all their plans. Instead, they were both summoned by Smoke to his room through a phone call, just few minutes before their departure and like the others, they left what they were doing and sauntered into his expensive suite, the shock of the news written across their faces.
Smoke was still following the news of the suicide attack from the various cable channels from the big screen TV in his room and wasted no time in revealing his perspective to the group. He outlined the advantages of the first suicide bomb attack in the country and told them the need to remain calm and enjoy themselves confidently since most of the law enforcement agents in the country were now busy with the bomb issue.

‘’I see this as a blessing to us. We can now confidently relax and enjoy ourselves.’’ He told the gathering, still dressed in his pajamas with a weed in his right hand and a glass of orange juice on his left.

‘’ True talk boss, the bombing don create more confusion for the country and na big katakata be that, every police man or security agent dey too busy now to get time for Yahoo Boys or any 419 matter. True, this na correct blessing in disguise.’’ Victor chipped in happily, picked a rolled weed from the centre table around them, lit it and sauntered to the bar for a bottle of Jack Daniel whisky.

‘’ Na correct news true, true. Fear be don dey catch me before when I first hear the news, but right now I think the boss is right. This na time to relax and enjoy our life.’’ John Bull supported and joined Victor by the bar.

However, Skinny and Lizzy kept quiet for a while. They both thought over the statements and Skinny sensing that their silence might lead to suspicious finally nodded his head in agreement.

‘’ Yes, I see sense in the bomb attack. Na big advantage for us,’’ He said, and collected the half-smoked weed in Smoke’s hand. He dragged and smiled up at Lizzy.

‘’ We never hear your view, Sisi?’’ Smoke told Lizzy, sipped his drink, lit a cigarette and smiled up at her.

‘’ I no even no wetin to talk. The news of the suicide attack just spoil my belle. That means say we no dey safe again for this country. Today na Abuja, tomorrow fit be anywhere.’’ Lizzy finally responded with fear still written all over her face.

‘’ Yes, I agree with you, but we must dey extra careful from now on; No traveling anyhow again. In fact, nothing go carry us go Abuja for now. From here na either we charter plane go Bahamas or fly go any other leisure island for Caribbean, abi how una see am?’’

Smoke announced and threw the question to the gathering and they all chorused in agreement and happily toasted to the suggestion. ‘’ But right now, make we see wetin go happen in the next couple of days first.’’ He told the group and they all went about their leisure excitedly after the meeting.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

However with all things planned by humans on earth which always encounters one or two obstacles along the way something unexpected happened the next day as the chase to apprehend the notorious Free-Hands continued. The unexpected event shattered all plans by Ken Solomon and Colour, and equally suspended the next move by the EFCC and slowed down the plans of Skinny and Lizzy. In addition, it shook the Nigeria foundation and sent a wave of shock across the country.
The citizens of Nigeria and other non-citizens alike living in the most populous black nation in the world woke up on June 16th to the horrible event of the first suicide bomber in the country’s history. The man who carried out that terror and took the fight with the Islamic sect, Boko Haram to another level was a fairly well-to-do 35 years old businessman named Mohammed Manga. According to newspaper reports Manga who was married with five children, had drove from Maiduguri to Abuja just to carried out his sect deadly morning attack that left about five people dead, including a police officer. He was said to have left N4 million naira in his will for his five children, two boys and three girls, before embarking on his now historical terror mission to the nation’s capital; now referred to as the 2011 Abuja Police Headquarters Bombing.
The attack by Mohammed Manga occurred when he drove a car bomb onto the premises of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, known as the Louis Edet House, the headquarter of the nation’s police establishment. His target was said to be Hafiz Ringim, the then Inspector General of Police, whose convoy he boldly followed into the compound, but was diligently stopped by security agents few inches into the compound where he committed his deadly act.

The Operation Water team was making preparation on their next move against the Free-Hands when the shocking news got to them through news alert on their mobile phones. They immediately suspended their mission and waited patiently for the next directives from headquarters. Skinny and the other members of the Free-Hands heard the news from the big plasma TVs inside their exquisite rooms at the Blue Water Hotel while they enjoyed their lives with the luxuries around them. Ken Solomon and Colour on the other hand got the news through the social media. In fact, it was the news addicted Colour who broke the news with a shocked stare at KS as they took their breakfast from the balcony of KS room and were strategizing on their trip to Lagos.

‘’ Unbelievable! A suicide bomber in Nigeria’’ He had shouted aloud as he browsed his phone, half suspending his teacup in mid-air.

‘’ Suicide bomber - where? ’’ KS asked and paused from reading one of the day’s newspapers in his hand.

Colour then showed him the news and everything in their plan was suspended, but they had kept monitoring the story and waited for the right time to continue their adventure. The news shocked KS and frightened him from embarking further to Lagos. The roads might be too dangerous to travel at this moment. He must be calm and allow himself some thinking. His quest to catch these fraudsters should not push him to fall cheap into the hands of some fanatic kidnappers or probably to a cheap death. He cautioned his mind quietly and finally told Colour that they needed to cool down their haste in their quest to catch the Free-Hands.

‘’ You know something. I think I want to hold on to that wise Turkish saying: ‘ The Devil takes a hand in what is done in a hurry’.’’ He told him with a smile.

‘’ Yes, I am with you. I hate haste. There is this popular African saying “Haste and hurry can only bear children with many regrets’’ Colour added smiling back at him.

‘’ Nice one, I like it. Yes, haste is reckless.’’ KS said thoughtfully with a smile.

For that reason, they both agreed to suspend their trip, relax and cool down their souls inside their safe hotel environment and see how things unfold in the next couple of days. But not for Chambers who heard the news of the suicide bombing from the flat screen TV inside the bar where he was nursing an early morning bottle of beer. He rushed out and hurried to tell Colour and KS. They told him they have heard the news and informed him about their decision to suspend their journey to Lagos, pending when the situation improves. However, Chambers was not disposed to their decision. He was too shocked about the news of the first suicide bombing in the country and just wanted to get far away from Kaduna which he estimated was too close to Abuja for comfort. Anything could happen. The state might be the next target of this deadly sect given its proximity to the nation’s capital. He had quickly reasoned and voiced out his fears to Colour and KS.

‘’ Look, I no go lie to una, my spirit no dey for this place again. He better make we relocate go Lagos immediately. Kaduna no too far from Abuja, anything fit happen. Me, I still like my life, I no go allow make one illiterate suicide bomber come bomb my life away just like that.’’ He announced and sniffed his snuff with shaky fingers.

Colour stared at him thoughtfully, smiled and then explained what he said to Ken Solomon who also thought about it and then smiled at Chambers.

‘’ But we are all saying the same thing here, safety. Don’t you think traveling to Lagos at this moment could as well be dangerous? You know death locks everywhere.’’ KS told him with a serious look.

‘’ Yes, to travel go Lagos right now too dey dangerous for us, anything fit happen for road and na everywhere death dey.’’ Colour explained to him.

Chamber finally succumbed to their decision after a thoughtful reflection, but was not too happy deep inside him. He had wanted to get out of the city and cool down his fears in Lagos; probably in Sheraton hotel or in one of the groovy first class hotels in Lagos Island, close to the bar beach. Where he could feed his eyes to the seductive bikini clad women around the beach while he gulp free bottle of beers away in a relax mood. He imagined with a mental visualization of the setting.

‘’Well, since una say make we stay, no wahala. But, I no go commot one-step outside this hotel premises. If I step outside na Lagos get me.’’ He told them and went back to the bar to order more bottles of beer into his room. He then excused himself from Colour and KS, went into his room, locked up himself, and nursed his fears with one bottle of chilled beer after the other throughout the day.

********
Back in Kaduna, Colours and KS explored the riverside in a canoe. The stocky canoe boy in a faded white singlet and rolled up trouser smiled broadly at his two passengers as they smoked their weed and chatted away. He was proud to have a Whiteman on his local boat and the money they had paid him for the short trip across the river was more than he had ever earned. Therefore, he left them to their chat and concentrated on his skillful peddling.

‘’ Good grass - good view.’’ KS said as they cruised far from the riverbank.

‘’ Yes, I sometime come here to think and take a canoe ride whenever I am in town. Most importantly, I enjoy smoking here. It is quite and safe.’’ Colour told him.
‘
’ Yes, which reminds me. What is behind the restriction on smoking freely in your country? I laughed always when I see some of your best brains wasting away behind bars for trivial offences like doping weed ‘’ KS asked with a puzzled look.

‘’ Well, it is all hypocrisy and poor knowledge of the value of weed.’’ Colour replied dragging his smoke.

‘’ So you guys don’t have somewhere like a Med-Port where you can walk in, buy some weed and enjoy yourself?’’ KS asked with a surprised look.

‘’ Not at all, I read all about the so-called Medical Marijuana in your country and the recent approval for the free use of weed by interested consumers. It is crazy you know, the same America that is against marijuana smoking in Africa now encouraging its own citizens to walk free into any Med-port centre and buy approved dosage of the green grass; One of the greatest hypocrisy of the western world.’’ Colour said with a wry grin.

‘’ Yeah, I agree with you. Hemp or whatever you call it here is not actually harmful, but just like any other thing, you must not abuse it. I think hemp users in this part of the world need to fight for the right to enjoy this great grass.’’ KS told him as he sipped his bottled water.

‘’ Here, my people see you as a mad man if you are seen smoking ‘Igbo’-this.’’ He pointed out, grinned and then continued. ‘’ However, the funniest part is that most top people in the country use this thing. They smoke, chew or practically eat it. Name it, lawyers, doctors, Judges, Soldiers, Police, Journalists, lecturers, architects, engineers and even our flamboyant politicians. They do this thing, but they do it secretly the same way we are doing it right now.’’ Colours told him and giggled.

‘’ I think sometime in the future the truth about the value of marijuana will come out and your leaders will have no alternative than to legalize it.’’ KS said thoughtfully.

‘’ Well, I hope so. But it won’t be easy, anyway, I look forward to that day that some of our duplicitous leaders would see and understand the medical value of this God created grass. I hope they will come out to tell our people that marijuana is a fast cure for asthma, leukemia, tuberculosis and many other life-threatening diseases that has kept revenging the people over the decades.’’ Colour said.

‘’ I think your political leaders need to indict the west for feeding them lies about the green grass over the years. They should be bold to legalize it and damn what the west thinks. I believe it is unfair for some part of the world to secretly enjoy this wonderful medical remedy while others are left to suffer because of greed and self-centeredness.’’ KS suggested.

‘’ Yes, but our people need to be enlightened and educated about the truth and the importance of the grass. They need to see the medicinal value and also understand that this is a unique grass created for a reason, instead of imposing unjustifiable harsh punishment and insensible imprisonment on ordinary Nigerians who just wanted to get high and forget all the troubles in their lives.’’ Colour told him and chuckled as the canoe boy maneuvered the canoe and made his way back to shore.

‘’ Yeah, it’s crazy; I mean the harsh imprisonment for just smoking a grass. It’s dehumanizing and degrading to a citizen” Ken Solomon added with his wry grin.

‘’ If not for Murtala Mohammed who came in and reduced the cruel sentence, it was worst than this before.’’ Colour told him thoughtfully.

‘’ And who is that? Okay, I remember, your late charismatic Head of State, read about him. Great guy,”’ KS said with smile.

‘’ Yes, one of our best leaders so far. But they went after him and assassinated him. He was young, vibrant and dynamic,’’ Colour told him proudly.

‘’ The Good ones hardly last, still on marijuana, how long have you been doing this?’’ KS asked thoughtfully.

‘’ Well, can’t remember the exact year actually, but I started it in school. I got addicted to it and am still doing it. What about you?’’ Colour asked with a broad smile.

‘’ Me, too, right from school, and never stop doing it since then. Although, many people have their reasons and opinion for doing or not doing grass, all the same I believe everyone that does it has a reason and what they derived from it,’’ KS lectured him and smiled back at him.

‘’ Yes, I think so myself. So what do we do now since our trail seems to be leading us to Lagos?’’ He asked changing the topic as KS stared thoughtfully away.

‘’ We have no option than to follow the trail. I think I am already neck-deep in this whole mess and I cannot just give up now.’’ KS replied and stared thoughtfully into the water.

Colour stared at him thoughtfully and nodded his head. ‘’ Yes, I agree with you. We must end this whole thing for the last time. You have expanded a lot, both financial and physical energy and they must not go in vain.’’ Colour told him as they jumped down from the canoe.

Ken Solomon suddenly paused beside the canoe and the young driver. He smiled up at him and handed his phone to Colour.

‘’ I think I need some photos for remembrance. Here, snap us.’’ He told Colour who smiled and took some shots. He also took position with the boy and the canoe for some photos this time shot by KS. Finally, they gave the phone to the perplexed canoe boy and instructed him on how to use the camera as they both posed for the camera.

‘’ Nice shots,’’ KS commended as they reviewed the pictures

They bade farewell to the young canoe boy, handed him the parcels containing their unfinished roasted chickens and made their way back to where they left their car. Few minutes later they were on their way back to meet Chambers at the NAF club.

*******
While Colour and Ken Solomon were still searching for Smoke and his gang at Kaduna, the EFCC team was getting closer to trapping their prey at the Obudu Ranch that afternoon. The team of Mai-Coins and Diza on alerting from the cable car walked up into the hands of Lizzy and Skinny who beamed happily on sighting them.

‘’Welcome to Obudu,’’ Lizzy, alias Franca announced happily and walked up to a smiling Diza who instantly recognized her. They shook hands and she introduced her companion.

‘’ This is Mr. James Garuba our Chief Operating Officer. Sorry, the CEO could not be here. He had some engagement outside the country.’’ Lizzy introduced Skinny who beamed with smile at both of them.

‘’ Oh, that is okay. Here, Mr. Alex Daniel, he is our Legal Adviser and company secretary.’’ Diza replied introducing Mai-Coins who shook hands with both of them and the group walked casually into the Ranch House.

Agent Etim concealed among other visitors stared secretly at all this from his position. He watched as the group moved to an isolated corner inside the lounge and set up a meeting around four sets of settee and a male waiter dressed in an immaculate uniform sauntered over and served them chilled bottled water and then waited to take further order.

Diza and Mai-Coins declined any other offer and instead settled for the bottled water and beamed happily at their host. If only they knew what was racing through Mai-Coins mind at that moment. He had stared unbelievable at the beautiful shape of their most wanted female fraudster and almost grab her by the wrist. He could not accept the fact that he was at last sitting close to the notorious Franca and yet he could not just apprehend her and take away. Take it easy, the moment will come. He assured himself and smiled at her.
He knew the man next to her could not be the notorious Smoke because all the descriptions they have about the boss of the Free-Hands described him as a stocky guy with bloodshot eyes and a shaved shinning head. This man introduced to them as James Garuba, though he knew it was a phony name was a skinny guy with plenty hair and a goatee beard. This was one member of the gang the agency was yet to have a picture or description of. He reasoned and also smiled up to him.

Lizzy dressed fashionable in her trademark African print, one of the exquisite designs from her designer, secretly studied the faces at the table and kept her charming smile visible as they sipped their glasses of water and try to relax. Her sexy eyes looked seductively at Mai-Coins wondering where she had seen the face before, but a statement from the smart dressed agent in black suite and a clean white shirt and expensive black suede shoes doused her suspicious and kept her mind at ease.

‘’ I am trying to remember where I have seen your beautiful face before. Do you swim?’’ Mai-Coins suddenly asked with a smile, remembering part of the information they have about her.

‘’ Yes, my favourite hobby, I love swimming when I have the time.’’ She answered and giggled.

‘’ Oh, then I guess it must have been at the pool in Sheraton or Nicon, Abuja. I love swimming too. Moreover, a beautiful woman with a beautiful shape and face like yours is hard to forget.’’ Mai-Coins announced to the table still smiling.

Lizzy flattered, nodded approvingly to his statement, and guessed he must have been one of those men at the pool who always lust after her seductive shape whenever she went swimming at the Sheraton pool during her leisure time.

‘’ So what do you have for us?’’ Agent Diza asked changing the topic.

And for the next thirty minutes the group went into a short conference, going through various paper documents and some power-point proposals presented by Lizzy and Skinny from a laptop. They had a short break inside the restaurant where they had a mouth-watering launch, and then returned for the second part of their meeting. But while they were inside the restaurant agent Etim had sauntered into the lounge, find a seat away from them and secretly observed their activities. The sight of Lizzy had excited him and he had quickly recognized her from her photos at their archives. He too at once deduced that Skinny was not the notorious Smoke but a top conspicuous member of the gang.
On returning to their meeting, Diza requested for a private meeting with Mai-Coins. She explained to them that she wanted to have some few words with her lawyer on some legal angle of the documents. They both moved to a separate table not far from them and pretended to study part of the documents presented to them.

‘’ I think it will be wrong to attempt an arrest at this moment.’’ Diza whispered to him, her eyes still glancing through the document in front of her.

‘’ I agree with you. But we have to be very careful, they are smart and very corny.’’ Mai-Coins replied with a smile his eyes also on the document.

‘’ Yes, your swimming pool yarn, that was smart.’’ Diza said with a wide smile.

‘’ I noticed her suspicious. Therefore, we do not make arrest today, let us play along and see if they can lead us to Smoke.’’ Mai-Coins told her with a grin.

‘’ I think that is reasonable. Arresting them will make Smoke vanish and he might be difficult to track again.’’ Diza told him as she pretended to read from the document. She noted that Skinny and Lizzy eyes were already monitoring them from their position.

‘’ Okay, Let us play along.’’ Mai-Coins told her and gathered the document as they both returned to the table.

‘’ I think we are okay with the document here. So when do we go for the site inspection?’’ Diza asked as they settled back on their seats.

‘’ Well, as you can see from the pictures and documents here our head office is in Lagos, so we have to make arrangement for that as soon as possible. However, I should also inform you that we are presently carrying out some renovation work there. ‘’ Skinny answered, although the question had not been for him.

‘’ That is fine with us. Will Monday or Tuesday be suitable for this inspection, because our client is ready to make his payment immediately? In fact, he is just waiting for the green light from us.’’ Diza said seriously.

Skinny and Lizzy exchanged silence glances and then Skinny nodded with a smile. ‘’ I think Tuesday should be okay.’’ He told her.

Diza who had studied their eagerness requested for an account number in advance this to make them believe their seriousness about the whole business transaction. Skinny wrote out an account number and happily passed it to her with a wide smile. They concluded and the meeting broke up. They all made their way out of the Ranch House the same way they came in. Once outside, they paused and exchanged more banters.

‘’So you are staying here I guess?’’ Mai-Coins threw the question at both of them.

‘’ Yes, at the moment? ’ ’Skinny replied

‘’ What about you?’’ Lizzy asked

‘’ We are yet to decide…might decide to take a trip to Tinapa for a view. Have you been there?’’ Mai-Coins continued, and studied their face with a smile.

The question caught Lizzy and Skinny by surprise but Skinny as usual was fast to their rescue.

‘’ Yes, Lovely place – we occasionally hold some of our meetings there.’’ Skinny responded boastfully with a smile.

‘’ So do we meet there or here on Monday to prepare for the Lagos trip?’’ Diza chipped in with a broad smile.

‘’ We are still here throughout the week. We have a scheduled meeting with another client here tomorrow. Many people want to invest in this business.’’ Skinny lied confidently, his smile never leaving his face.

‘’ Okay, see you then on Tuesday.’’ Mai-Coins said.

They shook hands and moved into one of the waiting cable cars and joined other passengers on a descending trip. Skinny and Lizzy waited some few minutes and took another cable car towards their temporary room. Agent Etim who was secretly watching their moves from his seat lifted his bulky frame and went out of the Ranch House surprised at the sudden changed of plan. He had actually waited eagerly for a signal from his secret position to assist in arresting the two fraudsters at their fingertips. Something must be wrong. He reasoned and quickly boarded the next available cable car in search of his colleagues for clarification.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Agent Diza sat thoughtfully and stared disinterestedly at the prying eyes of some randy men inside the restaurant. Her mind was preoccupied with her live meeting with the strange Franca in the next few minutes. She had earlier gone through her dossier from the commission archives and noted her notorious conning lifestyle. She wondered why a beautiful woman like Lizzy a.k.a Franca should be living such a reckless spend-drift life. She was surprised to read that the notorious female member of the Free-Hands had actually gone to a university and had a degree in sociology. She reflected on her own life, was proud of herself for summoning all odds to go to school, and came out with a first class in Computer Science. A grade that had rattled many people in the school and had drawn the sharp eyes of an official of the EFCC who had quickly made arrangement for her to join the anti-fraud agency first as a corp. member and a subsequent full-time appointment immediately she completed her one year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Her smartness and proficiency with the computer had propelled her fast rise at the commission and she had proved over the few years that she was indeed one of the sharpest brains in the EFCC, a treasure that was well nourished and guarded. Therefore, it was no surprise to many of her colleagues when she was drafted into the Operation Water team and assigned the task to unmask the most notorious cyber-crime syndicate in the country through their working field- the internet.

She was still reminiscing over her life and that of Franca when her phone suddenly rang. She stared at the number and nodded silently at Mai-Coins who was busy reading a SEE magazine. He paused to listen as she spoke on the phone.

‘’ Yes, we are here. Okay, just give me few minutes and I will be with you. Oh, it was a sweet trip’’ She said to the caller, giggled and smiled up at Mai-Coins as the call ended. ‘’ She is here and waiting for us.’’ She announced softly.

‘’ Could she be with Smoke?’’ Mai-Coins asked hopefully.

‘’ I doubt, but we have to be alert.’’ She said as she picked up her phone and bag from the table.

‘’ Okay, you think it’s time to go?’’ Mai-Coins asked, gave a nodded sign to Etim who was secretly staring at their table from the newspaper in his hand.

‘’Yes, I asked for a grace of few minutes. So let us do it.’’ Diza replied, pushed back her chair as Mai-Coins also pushed back his, and then trailed behind her as she made her bold move out of the restaurant.

Etim gave them some few seconds and went out after them; this after ensuring that nobody had interest in their movements. He caught up with them as they boarded one of the cable cars to the ranch house and then boarded the next car with other passengers.



********
Chambers sat thoughtfully in a tensed mood from his back seat inside the black Jeep as Colour cruise the wheels along the popular Waff Road; this part of the city always excites Colour whenever he found himself in Kaduna. The famous Hamdala Hotel though now in its old age stood boldly as usual with its blue and white faded painting beckoning to curious tourists and other new visitors into the city of the Mafia. The day so far has been exciting and adventurous to Chambers who was silently strategizing on the next lie to tell his hosts. The trip from Abuja had provided him an opportunity to think and create some false imagination for them. He knew deep inside him that it will be difficult, if not impossible for him to locate Smoke in the state, but all the same anything could happen. After all, we all live a life of uncertainty and surprises. He reasoned as he sipped from his bottled water and long to soften his dry throat with some chilled beer.
He had earlier noticed that the two suddenly seemed to be in a haste to contact Smoke and end the business. In fact, they had refused him the opportunity for one or two bottles of beer at the Woodcraft Hotel when he came down from his room that afternoon. Instead, Colour had led him to the car park where KS was already waiting inside the jeep.

‘’ We no get much time for hand. Dem just call my friend from America say one big business dey wait for am.’’ Colour had explained as they drove out of the hotel.

Chambers though disappointed, nodded at him with a grin and substituted his taste with water.

‘’ So you say make we check NAF Club first?’’ Colour asked half glancing at him from the rear mirror.

‘’ Yes, make we check there first. I wan make one connection. I know Smoke, e no go just lodge for any hotel.’’ Chamber told him seriously.

Colour explained things to KS who nodded with a grin. His mind was preoccupied with his problems and the latest deadline on his neck. Eight minutes later, they drove into the well guarded Nigeria Air Force Club (NAF) along Rabah road. The place at that hour was less active and the few guests around engaged themselves in various drinking and eating. Chambers who could not control his dry throat any longer happily led them to an empty table with three chairs and dropped his thin frame. He was glad when a chubby female waitress with a round face and fleshy legs walked up to their table and took their orders.

‘’ Very chilled Gulder for me my sister.’’ He told her beaming with smile.

Colour and Ken Solomon placed their orders, watched surprisingly as two of the male waiters around walked up to their table, and hailed Chambers loudly.

‘’ Original Chambers! The shorter among them shouted and pumped his hand.

‘’Chamberstical’’ The other one also announced loudly with excitement

Chambers who was taken by surprised stared back at both of them, stood up to embraced, and shook their hands.

The waitress brought their drinks, set them on the table and paused to stare at the drama.

‘’ Ha! Charlie and John, O boy na waho!. Long time no see.’’ Chambers announced, filled his glass with chilled beer, sipped, smacked his cheeks and returned to his two new friends. ‘’ Mr. Colour, this na my two best friends. He don tey wey we see.’’ He explained and then drew them aside.

Colour and KS watched amusingly as they made their way towards the inner bar.

‘’ Your guy seems popular across the country.’’ KS said with a smile.

‘’ Yes, he is. Especially in bars and hotels’’ Colour replied, smiled back at him and then sipped his drink.

‘’ So what do you think about his moves so far?’’

‘’ I am still studying him. But if anyone can lead us to Smoke and his gang, then that person is Chambers that is what I have observed.’’ Colour said slowly as Chambers made his way alone back to their table.

‘’ Hello Oyinbo, hope you dey enjoy Kaduna?’’ Chambers asked as he refilled his glass and satisfied his throat.

‘’ I don get correct information. E good make man get friends everywhere.’’ This he told Colours.

‘’ Na so, wetin dey happen? You don get the place where the guy dey stay? Colour asked excitedly.

‘’ No, but I don get information where them relocate to. We just missed Smoke and his boys not too long.’’ Chambers explained as he signaled the waitress for another bottle.

‘’I no understand. Relocate how?’’ Colour asked suspiciously.

‘’ Smoke and his boys just leave Kaduna for Lagos today. I tell you say the Bobo no dey like stay one place.’’ Chambers told him confidently as his second beer arrived.

Colour calmly explained the development to KS who listened leisurely to him and nodded his head, sipped his drink and stared thoughtfully into space.

‘’ It’s okay. I think we might as well take time to do this thing properly. Great haste makes great waste. More beer please…and some roasted chicken would do.’’ He finally suggested with a grin.

The suggestion of more beer and chicken delighted Chambers and he beamed with smile. ‘’ Don’t worry Oyinbo, we go soon link up with Smoke. I agree with you, small-small, je-je-je, na him butterfly dey take land.’’

He told them and smiled more broadly as the waitress brought more beer to the table, followed by three full roasted chickens with spicy pepe meat, blended with onions and tomatoes.

Colour was surprised with the calmness at which KS took the news, and quickly saw reason in his attitude. Getting angry might raise the unsuspecting Chambers to their true mission. He reasoned and smiled broadly.

‘’ Bros, Just relax and enjoy yourself. Take anything you want, me and my friend wan go shine our eyes somewhere.’’ He told Chambers.

‘’ I understand. Make una enjoy una self, that thing dey always deal with me any time wey I taste am.’’ Chambers replied with a grin.

‘’ Let’s take a drive for some good grass.’’ He told KS and pushed back his chair, picked up his drink and his wrapped chicken, as KS did the same.

‘’ Good idea, enjoy yourself, Mr. Chambers. We will soon be back.’’ KS told him with a wide smile.

‘’ No wahala Oyinbo, I go dey here dey wait for una.’’ Chambers replied happily and took a bite at the chicken.

Colour and KS left him and drove out of the club. He hit the long road leading to Malali village, drove pass Federal Government College and the New Nigerian quarters, and then made their way towards an untilled road that led to Malali River, amid some soft jazzy tune courtesy of KS who had slotted in the jazz collection on their way out of the hotel.

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*********
The trip to Kaduna took less than two hours as Colours maneuvered the big jeep through the expressway that lead into the main town. The state was not new to him; he knew all the major shortcuts that lead into Crocodile City as the state is famously known. He stopped on reaching Command Junction, followed the traffic through Television Village, and headed straight into town. Chambers who also knew the city sat hunched up in his seat and stared memorably at the city he had spent some greater part of his life. He stared regrettably at the once thriving railway market and its famous Kaduna Junction now abandoned with the old colonial structure fast becoming an eyesore. He was sober enough to see that the formal capital city of northern Nigeria was still running on old colonial roads and bridges.
Though it has been close to twenty years since he left the city, nothing had really changed. He observed shrewdly from the back seat as they passed through the popular Kaduna River and its resilient colonial bridge. Ken Solomon eyes were also alive that Friday noon as they entered the city. The first thing he noticed was the cosmopolitan nature of the town and its imposing feature. He had earlier did a quick check on the city from his ipad on their way and Wikipedia encyclopedia informed him of a city of about 60,066,562 million people, and rank it the 3rd of 36 states, with a total area of 46,053km. His blue eyes took in the old bridge and watched silently as Colour stopped by a roundabout craftily sculptured as a black and white Football.
Colour made his way through the Stadium Roundabout and cut through Constitution road as he glanced at Ahmadu Bello Stadium still standing boldly despite its years of existence. His mind quickly reflected on his youthful days around the popular stadium. He suddenly felt proud that he had grown up playing football in its greenish soft pitch. His eyes strayed towards the half-baked structures lining the once beautiful Constitution road with its famous concentration of public primary schools, and felt sad that the state government and its people could allowed free enterprise to take over these legacy and its hitherto serene learning edifices. He maneuvered the jeep through the next roundabout by Police College and hit Independence Way and passed through the white painted wall of the state prison and quietly wondered what could be going on inside the heavily fortified high walls and the solitary lives of the inmates. He felt happy to be a freeman with freedom than all the money in the world. Smiling at KS and half glancing at Chambers at the back seat, he indicated the prison.

‘’ Hundreds of men like you and me are nursing their lives behind those wall.’’ He pointed out breaking the silence that had engulfed the car, apart from the soft jazzy tunes from the car stereo.

‘’ What’s going on there?’’ KS who had missed the sign on the wide Iron Gate asked staring at the tall painted walls.

‘’ Welcome to Kaduna city – this is the Kaduna Prison.’’ Colour told him proudly.

‘’ A prison, then why is it on a busy road and in the heart of the city? KS scorned with a wry grin.

Colour half glanced at him and made sense from what he was saying. Yes, the old prison was now an eyesore in the state credited to be a ‘Centre of Learning’. He reasoned, smiled and nodded his approval at KS statement. His White friend kept amazing him with his sharp observations and pungent criticism. He grinned as he remembered how Ken Solomon on sighting a herd of cows on a major road inside Abuja during one of their trips had stared dumbfounded at the scene and demanded what was going on.

‘’ Just cows grazing around in search of what to eat, its normal here” Colour had told him with his eyes on the road.

‘’ In search of what to eat in the middle of your capital, on a major road; this is abnormal to me. This is 21st century, my friend, you can’t be the giant of Africa when cows and men still competes for road in your capital,’’ KS had responded with a jarring grin.

Colour had glanced at him, nodded his head and silently concentrated on the road to avoid hitting some of the cows that had now taken over the lanes. Yes, we cannot call ourselves giant of Africa when we cannot control animals on the street of our Federal Capital and other roads across the states. Why he was not against cattle rearing in the country, but again, he believe that the government can create a better environment and enabling laws to checkmate the problem just like other countries across the world have been able to curtained the malady. He reasoned and maneuvered his way out from the herd of cows. He beat the next traffic light, went passed the Radio House, branched into Lafiya Road and drove into the Woodcraft Hotel, Kaduna.

The Woodcraft Hotel is one of the new generation hotels strategically located in the heart of Kaduna. Conceived in 1992, the hotel shares the same road with the tranquil famous Kaduna International Polo Club. Colour, still current with the state had suggested the place to KS and made reservation for three rooms as they agreed. They had concluded that they should try in as much as possible stay in exquisite hotels and look rich to make an impression. The comfort, security and serene environment of the hotel made sense to both of them as they made their way through the self-control lobby door and planted themselves at the front desk with three cheerful smiling female receptionists. Colour introduced himself and cleared them for their individual rooms after going through the hotel protocols. Five minutes later, they all retired into their rooms to rest and later met to strategies on the best way to find Smoke within the shortest possible time.

CHAPTER THIRTYFIVE

The Obudu Mountain Resort is an excellent mountainous resort located in the highland of Cross River State, South-south Nigeria, sharing a 45 miles distance from the border of Cameroon and has a temperate climate due to its high attitude. Obudu is rated as one of the finest and most magnificent tourist destinations in the world. Deep in the tropical rain forest of Cross River, it provides topography of quite tranquility and captivating scenery. One remarkable feature of the popular resort is its long kilometers of winding road made up of 22 bends and its famous Devil’s Elbow halfway. With over 160 accommodation categories, made up of standard and executive rooms, huts, chalets and a presidential apartment; coupled with eco-tourism sites and ample wide space for other activities.
A glaring fact is that Obudu is indeed a tourist heaven with its enchanting natural endowment and has become popular among tourists, adventurers and event planners from all around Nigeria, Africa and other part of the world. A trendy site is the 11 kilometers winded road Hilltop Cattle Ranch, accessed either by an efficient Cable car or by road.
The ranch has numerous pleasant mountain-area and countryside views. Apart from these, the resort has a Helipad for easy access by air and at the base of the hills on which the ranch is located. Also within the rich resort lays a World-class water park with a state of the art swimming facilities and water slides for children and adults. A popular event at this exquisite resort is the famed annual Obudu Mountain Race and its colourful celebration. The sight of excited passengers always captivates most visitors as they rode on the Cable auto built with 34 cars, each carrying eight people and covering a distance of four kilometers through the clouds, offering an inspiring and dramatic panorama of green captivating rolling hills.
Among the various visitors, riding joyfully inside one of the cable cars that Friday afternoon were Elizabeth and Skinny. They had arrived earlier at the resort, booked a room as two married couple and had a quick meeting between them. Skinny had explained part of his plan to her. He told her that his idea was to defraud Fingers Consultants and their client to the tune of one hundred and fifty million dollars as fake shares in Naij- Phones. The deal he explained would be carry out in a smart wire-fraud. He further explained how she should present herself and gave her some document to present the concocted scheme to Fingers Consultants.

‘’ So how do I get my share?’’ Lizzy had asked suspiciously, half glancing at the file in her hand.

‘’ I will credit your account with thirty million dollars immediately I received an alert about the payment.’’ Skinny explained with a wide grin.

‘’ Thirty million dollars is not worth the risk of facing Smoke if he finds out about this deal.’’ Lizzy voiced out calmly, her mind already visualizing the big money.

Skinny stared quietly at her and then smiled wolfishly.’’ Then what amount is worth your trouble?’’ He asked lighting a cigarette as he sipped his bottled water.

‘’ Fifty million dollars will be reasonable. You can keep the hundred, I think that is fear enough.’’ She told him, smiled and re-crossed her slim legs.

Skinny thought this over and finally nodded. ‘’ Okay, Fifty million for you, but you must earn it, and this is the time.’’ He told her.

They then left their room and headed outside to explore the environment and find a place for their rendezvous with their expected visitors. So taking a ride on the cable-car provided them an opportunity to see the Hilltop Ranch and Skinny had instantly fall in love with the setting.

‘’ I think this place should be the right place for the meeting. You just play your part smartly, I will be at the background.’’ He told her excitedly as they explore the ranch.


********
Mai-Coins and his team landed Obudu Ranch few hours later. They all booked themselves into separate rooms and arranged to meet at the restaurant in thirty minutes. Agent Diza looking smart and trendy in a black suit and high heels walked into the restaurant amid the few eyes at the exquisite eating place few minutes after Mai-Coins and Etim came in. They both booked different tables and pretended to be strangers to each other. The plan was for Etim to always stay behind the scene and prudently observe events as they roll by. Diza aware of the eyes on her sauntered confidently into the restaurant her sharp eyes observing the tables from her white rimless glasses. She sighted Etim as he nursed a drink from his table and took a spoonful from a plate of jollof rice. He half glanced at her and continued eating. She passed his table and headed towards Mai-Coins who on sighting her pushed back his chair and made room for her to seat.

She studied the menu and gave her order. Few minutes later, now relaxed and ready to work. They made some notes and stratergizes on their next move. They agreed that they should go on with their plan of presenting themselves while Etim stays back at the background. However, they had made all the necessary arrangement with their counterparts in the state, including the police after intimating them of their emergency mission, but all the same this was still their operation and the directive is to apprehend any one with collection with the Free-Hands. Moreover, this was an opportunity to arrest one of the gang most wanted female figure, an opportunity the Operation Water team was not ready to jeopardize for anything. Therefore, they discussed their plans and secretly observed the environment for their prey.

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

The EFCC and its Operation Water team were also not left out in the quest to apprehend the Free- Hands as they continued with their strategy the next day Friday. The team of Mai-Coins, Etim and Diza had briefed the Chairman and the Head of Operations on Thursday night after Diza conversation with Elizabeth on the Internet. This was a routine exercise every day after their operation. The Chairman had specifically directed the team to report to him directly with the head of operations always present during the briefing. Seated around a conference table inside the spacious office of the chairman, Mai- Coins had briefed them on their success so far, explaining the bait with the Free-Hands via the Internet and how they had luckily chatted online with a female member of the gang and the arrangement for a pending meeting at Obudu Resort.

‘’ Fantastic –good work.’’ The Chairman clapped his hands and beamed happily at the team, his shaved head nodded approvingly to all he heard.

He was so excited with the news and could not hide his feelings. Therefore, he pushed his bulky frame from his chair at the head of the table and shook the team one after the other happily. ‘’ This is the sweetest news I have heard so far since we began this operation, and I must tell you all that you have really done a wonderful Job.’’ He told them. ‘’ So we now have a picture and a face?’’ He asked excitedly.

‘’ Yes sir, two faces actually. Victor and Lizzy, (alias Franca).’’ Mai-Coins answered with a grin.

‘’The same Franca, I believe?’’ The Head of Operations asked with a wry grin.

‘’ Yes, the same Franca, we lost her and Victor at our last operation.’’ Mai-Coins answered.

‘’ Nothing yet about Smoke? No photo? No face?’’ The Chairman asked and sauntered to the opened window, his eyes in a thoughtful mood.

‘’ Nothing yet sir, no photo, no face, but we will get him soon.’’ Mai-Coins assured him confidently.

‘’ So, how prepared are you for Obudu’’ The chairman threw this question at Diza.

‘ We are ready, sir’’ She responded also confidently.

The Chairman stood at the window thoughtfully for some minutes while they all stared silently at him. Then finally, with a grin on his face he returned to his seat and rolled out his command.

‘’ Okay, here is what I want. I want you to bring me Smoke alive. Smash his syndicate and bring in everybody you can find in it. You have all my authorization and support in whatever way. Just bring me Smoke.’’ He told them and dismissed the meeting.’’ Go and discuss your plan of operation with your head and all other necessary financial and logistic details.’’ He added and then returned to his large desk. ‘’ Agent Mai-Coins’’
He suddenly called out as they near the door. ‘’ Hope you and Etim didn’t forget to tell Agent Diza that you might both be returning to your old station if you failed to bring in Smoke and his gang this time around? He said loudly from his desk with a serious look.

The statement took Mai-Coins and his team by surprise. However, Mai-Coins already aware of the unpredictable character of their new Chairman paused by the door and grinned broadly at him.

‘’ Yes, sir, we told her everything.’’ He responded, bowed and eased the team out of the office.

Back inside their office, after arranging all the logistic and financial implication of their trip to Obudu the next day, they left the office and headed for their respective homes to prepare for their all important meeting with the Free-Hands at Obudu resort with an agreement to all meet at the airport the next day. Hence, it was on this important Friday that they all boarded an Arik Airline plane on their way to Obudu Resort in Cross River state to meet the two-renegade members of the Free-Hands. They all met promptly at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport around 10:00pm as scheduled, and moved into one of the busy bars, were they held a brief meeting and arranged their plans. After a short brainstorming, the team left the bar and boarded the flight individually with Mai-Coins and Diza taking adjacent seats and Etim sat three seats away from them with a worried look. The treat of returning back to their last station tormented his mind throughout the journey.




*********
The Free Hands woke up as usual that Friday in their individual rooms at the Tinapa, feeling high and lively. After all, they now have millions of dollars in their possession and were enjoying each day as it rolled away. Skinny had woke up more lively than the rest around 6:42am, smoked three rolls of weed in-between doing his morning toilet and a quick breakfast of fried egg ,toasted bread and black coffee. He then built up his shaky nerves with some glass of whisky, checked his time and made his way to Smoke’s room at the other end of the building. Walking confidently along the wide lobby of the Blue Water Hotel, he paused at the secluded floor housing the Presidential lodge and rapped twice in a coded sign on the door at the far right. There was a short pause and the luxurious door opened gently to admit him in. Smoke still dressed in a white bathrobe stared questionably at him and lock back the door.

‘’ Wetin de happen?’’ He asked sauntering back to the sitting room.

Skinny’s intuition quickly told him that the boss had a female guest in his bedroom. Therefore, he followed him quietly to the expansive sitting room and dropped his skinny frame in one of the sofas around.

‘’ Nothing. I just want tell you say I want take a quick look at Obudu make I see wetin we fit achieve for there.’’ He whispered to Smoke who was already lighting a cigarette.

‘’ Obudu, wetin dey happen there?’’ Smoke asked and stared disinteresting at him.

‘’I hear say the place na correct hide out and say correct business opportunity dey there.’’ Skinny lied.

‘’ Obudu, I don hear about the place. You and who dey go?’’ Smoke asked blowing smoke across his face while his attention was on the naked girl on his bed.

‘’ Na only me I get plan for, but I be dey think say you fit tell Lizzy or Victor make them follow. But you know wetin woman fit do sha?’’ Skinny suggested cautiously.

‘’I know, no wahala. I go tell her make she follow you. Just survey the place, see if we fit spend some few days there and watch out for any trouble.’’

Smoke told him, pushed his sexually motivated frame from his seat, and then made his way towards the bedroom to end what he was doing before the sudden interruption.

‘’ Okay, see you later, we go talk for phone.’’ Skinny replied, hiding his excitement. He quickly eased his frame from the room and headed to Victor’s room.

Getting to Victor’s suite he rapped on the door, waited patiently as a half naked Victor opened the door and glared at him.‘’ How far’’ He asked suspiciously with a sleepy voice.

‘’ Make I leave you, e be like say sleep still dey your face.’’ Skinny told him with a smile his sharp eyes half-glancing at two naked girls on the wide bed from the wall mirror in the room.

‘’ Guy, I dey busy and true sleep dey my eyes. Wetin dey happen?’’ Victor asked yawning.


‘’ Nothing, I just think say you dey alone. But, all the same go back to sleep and enjoy yourself. We go yarn later’’

With this, Skinny smiled at him and eased out of the room. He grinned and made his way to John Bull’s room. There he also met a naked John Bull with an underage girl on his bed. The Bull glared angrily at him from his half-opened door and demanded his mission that morning.

‘’ Come , make una let man enjoy him sleep, wetin dey happen again? He demanded, half clutching his robe with sleepy eyes.

‘’ No vex, I think say you dey free, but no wahala we go see later.’’ Skinny told him and walked away with a grin on his face.

However, what the other member of the Free-Hands never knew was that Skinny made all these early visits to ascertain their activities for the day and at the same time also nose around any suspicious from them about his plan. Therefore, satisfied that the rest of the gang were sexually engaged that Friday morning, he made his way to Lizzy’s room and was admitted by a ready and excited Lizzy who was already waiting for him as arranged.

‘’ How far?’’ She asked eagerly as he sauntered into the expensive looking room.

‘’ Cool- Everything- dey work fine.’’ He told her with a smile.

‘’ Smoke just call me. He say make I follow you.’’

‘’ Good. Hope you don ready?’’ Skinny asked staring at her well-dressed slim shape, looking curvy in her trademark African Print.

‘’ Na you I dey wait for.’’ She replied sauntered to her bed and picked her traveling bag.

They both left the hotel few minutes later in a chartered car and headed to Obudu resort to prepare for their visitors as the rest of the gang enjoyed their lives with the female companions in their individual rooms at the Blue Water.



*********
Colour and Ken Solomon picked Chambers at the popular Berger Junction around 1:33pm that Friday afternoon on their way to Kaduna as arranged. Chambers had earlier called Colour on his phone and informed them that he was on his way to their pre-arranged rendezvous. KS on Colour's suggestion had bought a fairly used Ford Jeep from a car dealer. This was necessary as Colour explained to make a good impression on Chambers and especially on the Free-Hands.

‘’ My people believe in big cars and big house. So to make a good impression as a rich American oil tycoon, you must look it and smell it.’’ Colour lectured him with a grin.

KS nodded and saw the sense in what he was suggesting. So he had followed his suggestion just like the other strategies Colour had suggested since they began their hunt. Chambers who was standing eagerly by the bus stop with other commuters was perplexed when a big tinted black Jeep parked in front of him that afternoon, and Ken Solomon who was on the passenger seat rolled down his glass and smiled at him.

‘’ Hello- Mr. Chambers,’’ He called out with a smile.

Chambers gaped at him and the car, and then suddenly felt very important and impressed as other commuters watched the unfolding drama. ‘’

Hello, Oyinbo.’’ He replied as the back door pushed opened remotely.

‘’ How far bros, you don ready?’’ Colour asked jokingly with a smile from the wheel.

‘’ Good, and set to go.’’ Chambers announced and jumped into the back seat proudly and they zoomed off through the roundabout and hit the express way.

Chambers stared admiringly at the cozy leather seats and the various interior decorations and computerized gadgets inside the spacious car and his ravenous mind told him he was in the right company at the moment. The cool breezy air of the AC knocked him off few minutes later and he fell into a relaxed sleep as the big car eat up the 190 kilometers road that lead to Kaduna State, in North-West Nigeria.

*******
The journey to Kaduna was all what Colour and Ken Solomon discussed as they drove towards the Usman Dam, an isolated hilly area with a large water barrier situated along Dutse/Bwari road, a short gateway to Kaduna. However, they were not heading to Kaduna now; their immediate destination was towards the isolated mass of water and hilly view of the Usman Dam.
The old beetle made a cracking noise as they climbed the last hill towards the main gate of the fenced and guarded resort. KS who all along had been observing the topography smiled at Colour and threw out his cigarette as they near the gate. A thin looking old man emerged from the guard room, peered suspiciously at their car and then at their smiling faces.
‘
’ Barka Baba, yaya aiki?’’ Colour greeted him respectfully in Hausa.

‘’ Yawa, barka ku da zuwa, yaya hanya?’’ The old man responded with a smile and lifted the painted iron barrier by the gate.

‘’ Hanya lafiya, baba, innna fatan ka na lafiya.’’ He said as he drove slowly into the gate.

‘’ Za mu shiga, mu fito yan zu in Allah ya yarda.’’ He continued through the window.

‘’ To, da kyau, Allah ya sa, adawo lafiya.’’ The guard replied and waved him through.


‘’ What did you tell him so good?’’ KS asked impressed with the language and on how Colour had handled the situation easily at the gate.

‘’ Just one of the simplest things in life…I gave him his respect and he gave me mine.’’ Colour replied with a grin.

‘’ Yeah, that was good. Wish I could hear what you guys were saying in that language.’’
KS said his eyes half-glancing at the long winding road that leads towards the isolated dam. He noted a small community made up of modern houses and other blocks of various structures that housed the famous dam.

‘’ Maybe you should marry a girl from Hausa land, then she teach you.’’ Colour told him with a smile.

‘’ Yeah, I will think about your proposition when we get to Kaduna. You told me the state is the administrative capital of the north.’’

‘’ Absolutely, and the state of the Mafia,’’ Colour laughed as he said this, at the same time he made a sharp bend and free the car to descend slowly towards an untied road that led them towards the water. Here they got out with KS eyes staring admiringly at the expanse of water with a lone canoe boy paddling with expertise abandonment from a distance. Apart from the boy and the canoe the place look serene at that hour.

‘’ An inspiring scenario’’ KS said as he lit a cigarette and wandered off to take some snapshots of the topography with his Nokia phone.

Colour smiled proudly, selected a spot at the bank of the river, dropped the shopping bag in his hands and went into the process of organizing some weed for them with a Rizla. KS joined him some few minutes later with his jeans now rolled up above his knee. He showed Colour some of the images he had just captured and then smiled broadly at him.

‘’ Beautiful shots, take, enjoy this…’’ Colour with his eyes on the phone screen passed him a rolled weed.

‘’ Thanks bro, you have made my day.’’ KS lit the smoke happily with the half-finished cigarette, and dragged hard. ‘’ Sweet- grass,’’ He commended and stared up at the evening sky.

The two friends sat silently for some minutes and smoke their weed, each of them carried away by his thoughts and imaginations as the evening sun made a shiny orange glow from the sky.

‘’ So, what are you doing about this cash issue and your stay at the Mercury Hotel? This adventure I told you is going to be expensive’’ Colour suddenly said breaking the silence and jotted a thoughtful engrossed Ken Solomon from his reverie.

‘’ Yeah, my cash issue. Honestly, I don’t know. I am still thinking. Maybe this will give me some idea.’’ KS answered jokingly indicating the weed in-between his fingers.

‘’ Yes, talking about idea, you mean you don’t have somebody you can call and talk to? What about that woman you told me about, your Personal Assistant and close ally, Ms Pamela?’’ Colour asked with a grin, and fetched out two bottles of plastic Coca-cola from the shopping bag. He handed the Coke to KS and kept the Sprite to himself.

‘’ Yeah, you have a good idea there. Jesus! I have almost forgotten her. Yes, I have got a solution here.’’ With this, he took a long sip at his drink, and pushed his frame up and then made an international call to Ms. Pamela Evans in America. ‘’ You will excuse me with the lies. I have explained everything to you.’’ He said and winked at Colour as the sleepy voice of Pamela sounded in his ears.

‘’ Yes, who is this? He heard her sleepy voice demanded angrily from the other end.

‘’ Hello, my dearest Dimples’’ He announced cheerfully with a broad smile on his face.

‘’ Jesus! KS! Is that you?’’ He heard the catch of her breath as she screamed excitedly into the phone.

‘’ Who else will have the courage to wake you up from your sweet cherished sleep by this hour Ms. Dimples?’’

‘’ God- it’s you- KS where are you? What is happening to you? KS can you hear me? ‘’

He listened to her torrent of questions as they rushed into his ears and he visualized her frenzied posture at that moment.

‘’ I am fine, Pam. Sorry to have woke you up, just needed to talk to you.’’

Okay, where are you? ‘’ She finally asked in a more relaxed voice.

‘’ I am still in Nigeria, what has been happening since I left?’’ KS asked as he dragged his weed and blow smoke across his face.

‘’ Plenty. Two strange men that I guessed works for the Feds have been lottery around the office since three days ago. They earlier came in and arrogantly asked about you. I told them they should piss off and demanded why they wanted to see you. I equally told them I am in charge and if there is anything they want they should tell me. They threatened to come back and if they cannot find you by the end of next week, they will declare you wanted.’’ She reeled out and then shouted angrily ‘’ God damn it KS! What the hell is going on?’’

‘’ Calm down your nerves Dimples. Remember you are one of the boldest women I have ever come across and I still believe deep inside me that you can always handle things perfectly, no matter the storm…So I want you to calm down and listen to me.’’

KS said calmly into the phone as Colour still seated in his position with his legs stretched and the front buttons of his short sleeve silk shirt now unbuttoned, stared thoughtfully at some group of swan birds making their return home and the fading sun in the sky.

‘’ So what did they tell you? KS continued on the phone.

‘’ Nothing, they only said they wanted some information from you and that you are not in Nigeria as you claimed. I refused to tell them that we spoke on phone few days back’’

‘’ They must be crazy. Believe me I am right here in Nigeria, just as I mentioned the other day. Now listen Pam, let me give you a little details of what’s been going on with me here. First, I want you to know I am in Nigeria as I told you, but I came in on a different name and identity. I cannot explain that to you at the moment. Secondly, I lost one of my luggage at the airport with some vital documents, credit cards and my laptop containing some contacts right over here. So the few days I have spent so far have been filled with some bitter and sweet experiences. ’’ KS poured out with a tired voice on the phone as he dragged his weed and winked at Colour who heard his lies.

‘’ Jesus! KS, are you okay? Then come back home immediately? Get in touch with the America embassy, for God sake!’’ He heard her directed with alarm.

‘’Nothing to worry about, I am handling things squarely. I am almost at the end of the tunnel, so no turning back now. All I need is few more days and some cash’’

‘’ Cash, talking about cash, its important you know that some of our investors, especially old Mrs. Wynnewood and Mr. Brainchild have threatened to go to the press if they don’t see you by next week.’’ Pamela Evans told him.

However, KS in his relaxed posture just smiled, dragged his weed and then continued calmly on the phone. ‘’ Really, all right, just stall them before the end of next week; I promise I will not let you down. You know I have always kept to my words, Dimples.’’

Pamela Evans now fully awake in her tasteful flat in New York strolled into the Kitchen with the phone still held on her ears as they spoke and made herself some coffee. She deliberated on her boss for some time and his past records of always taking care of every situation flooded through her mind. She knew she could always rely on him; just the way he had always relied on her in many situations since their first meeting.

‘’ So how much cash do you want? She finally asked as she sauntered back into her bedroom.

‘’ Some hundred thousand dollars should set me rolling. Yes, a hundred thousand will do. I will payback every dime. I promise.’’ KS told her cheerfully.

‘’ Okay, I will make all the necessary arrangement to transfer some cash into your bank account immediately.’’ She assured him.

‘’ Thank you Dimples, I know I can always rest my worries on your tender shoulders. I will make it up to you when I come back. I promise. I have a new account with one of the banks here. I will send you the account number for the transfer. You are a sweet woman Pam’

‘’ Ok. Just finish this mysterious business and get your ass back home safely.’’ She reprimanded him.

‘’ I will, Dimples and I will explain everything to you from the beginning.’’ KS replied cheerfully and lit a cigarette.

‘’ Yes, you own me some explanation…I have an instinct there is something you are hiding from me.’’ She told him in her straight face character.

‘’ And your instincts I know have never let you down…’’ He responded with a loud chuckle and ended the call with pronounced cheerfulness in his blue eyes.

He sauntered back to Colour with a broad smile and picked up his drink.

‘’ Let’s get ready to go track this Smoke and his gang, I am back in cash for this adventure.’’ He announced cheerfully and sipped his drink.

Colour stared admiringly at him, pushed himself up from his position and shook his hand.

‘’Thinking deep always brings a solution to a problem, or what do you think?’’ He asked with a broad smile.

‘’ Yes, good grass, good thinking, I agree with you.’’ KS replied and they both made their way back to where they left their car as the sign of darkness enveloped the sky and the lone canoe boy peddled away and then disappeared from their sights.

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*******
Chambers with a happy smirk on his face boarded one of the numerous long buses plying the long frustrating highway that leads to the notorious Mararaba Nyanya, an overcrowded and criminal prone satellite settlement bothering the superficial Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa state. Mararaba is a settlement with a large population of struggling Nigerians who could never afford the outrageous house rents in Abuja and some closer satellite towns within short proximity to the city centre. Therefore, this group of Nigerians from various regions across the country, including foreigners from nearby African countries of Niger, Chad, Ghana, Cameroun, Togo and Benin republic, daily troop into this slums that made up one of the most populous areas closer to the capital city.
This was where Chambers had been living all the while in Abuja, waking up daily to find his way into the city, and sometime heading back home again by all means, depending on his soberness. He lived among other ten or more tenants in a ramshackle compound with boarded walls and plank toilets. He knew most of his neighbours were already in their various hustling in the city and any one at home would be surprise to see him at this moment. His normal time of coming back home was usually around midnight when he staggers home amidst the barking of the dogs in the area, a police patrol team or the local vigilante as they harassed him. However, he was used to all their harassment and they on the other hand were now used to him and his night cruise. The urgency in the present situation was too important for him to care about his neighbours and their curious faces. He thought, as he stared out at the heavy traffic ahead of their crowded bus through the window from his rear seat. The sun was already fading out of the sky and a cool breeze blew across his face as he reflected on the event over the last few hours. He knew he had a very big task ahead of him to cover the big lie he had told Colour and Ken Solomon.
What Colour and KS never knew was that Chambers gave them one of his imaginary lies that afternoon as they discussed the refinery deal. Sensing that he might be schemed out of the juicy business, he had thought it wise to lie about where they could find Smoke. However, his imaginary brain had given him the idea of Kaduna, a state of about two hour drive from Abuja. The fact was Smoke never told him where he and his secretive team were heading to that afternoon at the Mercury. Chambers had been too dazed and confused with the crispy dollar notes in his hands that he even failed to notice their convoy of cars as they disappeared through the wide gates. Smoke had deliberately concealed this information from him, just like any other outsider, including their lawyer and broker who never knew where they were at present. Therefore, Chambers finding himself in a tight corner, coupled with his desperation to be part of the dollar spill had quickly thought it sharp to name Kaduna, believing that the trail might lead them somewhere along the line. Again, this might also afford him the opportunity of an adventure across the states, he had imagined as they deliberated on the journey.
Now seated quietly inside the bus, he grinned as he remembered his lie about Smoke’s phone number. What number? He almost laughed aloud. Smart, sharp men with corny minds like Smoke never give people their numbers just like that. He told himself. If only these two gentlemen have an idea of whom Smoke was they would not have asked him of his phone number. All the same, the lie he spilled them was good enough. He assured himself as the crowded bus swaggered dangerously along the dead-trap road. Chambers closed his tired eyes, he was eaher to get down at his favourite bus stop for some two, three or four chilled bottles of Gulder, accompanied with a plate of steamy goat head pe-pe soup, before heading home to prepare for his adventurous journey the next day.

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Amen. Thanks plenty my brother, May God continue to bless your own strives too.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

Chambers steered lazily from the strange mattress he found himself the next day, yawned with a hard hangover and then stared surprisingly at the white man sitting opposite him with a stick of cigarette in his slim fingers and a bottle of water beside him on a side stool. He noticed he was now only in his dirty white singlet and his caftan trouser. He was glad to notice his shirt neatly folded beside him. He instinctively reached out for the beer-stained shirt, felt the pockets, and was happy when he saw the two hundred dollars notes safe and sound as he had left them yesterday. He glanced at his cheap watch and noted that the time was 11:43 am, with the sun already furious outside. He tried to remember what had happened the previous day, but the hangover caused a silent knock on his head, making his thinking faculty dull. Where was he? How did he get here? Were the two urgent questions he wanted an answer to at that moment. Therefore, he brazed himself up from the mattress and gaped at Ken Solomon who stared amusingly at him. His nose though did not failed to pick out a sweet cooking aroma coming out somewhere inside the apartment.

‘’ Oh, finally you are up, how was your night Mr. Chambers? KS asked with a smile.

‘’ Ha! Oyinbo, what are we doing here? Chambers demanded from KS with a curious look.

The apartment was a one bedroom self-contain, located somewhere around Kado estate. The house consisted about five mini self contain studio apartments, comprising a bedroom, a parlor, kitchen and bathroom. This was the apartment Colour has been struggling his life to stay for the past three years, and the landlord, just like most landlords in the federal capital city had greedily kept increasing the rent every year, not giving a damn if the five talents could afford to pay or not. It was always all about money in Abuja, a city of survival of the fittest. He shared the house with three other bachelors like him and a spinster. Being a Thursday and a working day, Colour who was busy at the kitchen that morning preparing a sauce made of dry fish, raw red pepe, onions, and fresh tomatoes blended in hot groundnut oil, guessed his other co-tenants must have all gone to work in their daily strive for survival. So, hearing the voices of his two guests at the parlor he peeped out with a smile, a cooking spoon held in his hand.

‘’ Good morning bros, you don wake up?’’ He greeted Chambers who was still gaping around. His eyes rested on Colour and he smiled.

‘’Morning my brother – fear be don dey catch me. I think say I don fall into the hands of kidnappers.’’ Chambers replied in a more relaxed expression as Colour burst into laugh.

‘’ What is the fun?’’ KS asked staring quizzically at both of them.

‘’ He had the impression he was in the hands of some kidnappers.’’ Colour told him amidst laughter.

‘’ Really, I thought kidnappers only steal rich and influential people?’’ KS asked with a loud chuckled.

‘’ But why we go wan kidnap you now bros, abi you be big man wey we no know?’’ Colour asked as he dashed back into the kitchen to supervise his cooking on a small camp gas.

‘’ Man need to be careful this days, with all the terrorist, kidnapping and assassination wahala wey dey happen every day for this country.’’ Chambers drummed out seriously after him.

Colour emerged few minutes later with three teacups, three silver teaspoons and a flask in a plastic tray. He set them on the table with a smile and looked up at the yawning Chambers.

‘’ Na true talk. I agree with you, man need to be careful for this country nowadays. Anyway see bathroom there, make you arrange yourself, breakfast don ready’’

He told him and dashed back into the kitchen to fetch the sardine stew, a big loaf of bread, a tin of Nescafe coffee and Peak milk, including a transparent glass mug containing sugar. All these he set up at the centre table as Chambers lazily pushed himself up and staggered into the bathroom. Colour winked at KS and dashed back into the kitchen to fetched two bottles of water from the small bedside refrigerator in the kitchen.
Chambers emerged few minutes later now a bit refreshed. He smiled up at both of them and picked his seat facing the two.

‘’ Food is ready.’’ Colour announced and they all organized their individual breakfast from the menu on the table.

‘’ But come, how we take land here? I guess say this na your house’’ Chambers asked as he spiced his bread with onions and pepe, took a bit and nodded his approval.

‘’ We waka with our legs go enter moto and I drive us come house.’’ Colour told him jokingly with a smile. ‘’ I just feel say you no go fit reach your place safely with the condition wey you dey. No be small shacking happen yesterday, bros.’’ He explained with a grin.

Ken Solomon who was half listening to their conversation, chewed on his garnished bread, sipped his black coffee and nodded at both of them with a smile. He had decided to leave the discussion with Colour with believe that the guy knew what he was doing. After all, the plan of tracking and ferrying Chambers down here was his entire plan from the start. So he decided to watched and listened, contributing diplomatically when necessary.

‘’ So this your Oyinbo friend wetin join una? Una live here together. Chambers continued as he sipped his milk-flourished tea with a smile.

‘’ Na my good friend from America, he just land the country this week. Na Mercury Hotel he dey stay.’’ Colour answered smiling up at KS.

Chambers nodded his approval and continued with his breakfast silently for some moment.

‘’ So wetin bring am come Nigeria or which kind business una dey do?’’ He asked, the sweetness of the breakfast unlocking his curious mind and edgy mouth.

Colour toasted his bread carefully with sandiness and onions took a bite and studied Chambers carefully as if in hesitation.

‘’ Well, since we don become good friends now, make I tell you. My Oyinbo friend dey into oil business, na wetin bring am come this country be that.’’ He finally told him with a smile,

‘’ Oil business, you mean petrol?’’ Chambers asked, now staring admiringly more closely at KS who was busy eating.

‘’ No be ordinary petrol he dey deal with, na crude oil be him major business. In fact, Na plan to build him own refinery for Nigeria bring am come.’’

Colour boasted to Chambers whose admiration for the white man opposite him was beyond description at that moment. The information that Ken Solomon was a rich American oil magnet was just too much for him to swallow. The guy must be swimming in millions of dollars he reasoned, already projecting the role he could possibly play in his newly found companionship and the hundreds or thousands of dollars that could fly his way.

‘’ Refinery, Ha! This one na big man o. So how far e don go? This na big opportunity,’’ He told Colour with an excited smirk.

‘’ You guys are not talking about my refinery are you?’’ KS asked innocently with a smile.

‘’ Yes, we are. He wanted to know about you, so I told him about your plan for a refinery here.’’ Colour told KS still smiling.

‘’ So you want to build refinery in Nigeria, Oyinbo? That is a correct idea, money-dey- inside the thing -yanfu-yanfu.’’ Chambers chipped in proudly his eyes staring admiringly at KS.

‘’ Yes, a big refinery,’’ KS told him with a demonstration of his hand.

‘’ But the guy still need one big investor for Nigeria wey go support am.’’ Colour announced this statement carefully with a secret glance at Ken Solomon.

The statement deflected Chamber’s excitement as he stared questionably at both of them.

‘’ I no understand say the guy need investor again, I think say he don already get all the money to start the business? Which one come be investor again?’’ He asked with a frown.

Colour noted his disappointment but smiled at him and then responded.

’’ He no easy like that to set up refinery for Nigeria, Yes, the guy get the money, but he go still need somebody wey be Nigerian and wey get money to be him partner before government go agree give them license. The law be say outsider no fit come set up refinery for the country without one rich Nigeria man to support am.’’

Chambers listened to his explanation, nodded his head and took a bite at his toasted bread.

’’ I see, I see. Na now I understand.’’ He said in-between a mouthful of bread.

‘’ So na the problem wey we dey try solve be that.’’ Colour informed him with a serious look.

‘’ So wetin be your own inside?’’ Chambers asked staring at him with a gluttony eyes.

‘’ He promise me small share inside if I get somebody wey we fit trust and wey get money to invest. Abi you get money to invest?’’ Colour threw the question jokingly at him with a grin.

‘’ Where I get am. Even if you sell me in and out, you no go get that kind money from my body.’’ Chambers replied with a smile.

Then Colour casually threw him the next question. ‘’ But you get reputation for this city and know almost who- be -who for this country, you no know any of this big men wey fit get interest for this kind correct business? Abi you no like big money?

‘’Who say. No be money bring man come this city. I no come look all the fine- fine roads and big-big mansions wey dem dey build everyday for Abuja, my brother. Na to get who get that kind money for refinery na him be the wahala. You know all our big men, na sharp –sharp money dem dey look for.’’ Chambers told him.

‘’Even na somebody wey just hit money, we no wan no how he take get the money, this na genuine business, no magu-magu inside,’’ Colour added with a smile.

Chambers stared thoughtfully at him, took a bite at his bread, sipped his tea and then smiled broadly. ‘’ Na only Owo-Blow fit get that kind money, but to convince am to invest for this business na another matter.’’ He said thoughtfully.

‘’ Owo-Blow - that same Bobo wey you talk about yesterday? Colour asked his brain now fully alert as he stared curiously at Chambers.

‘’Owo-Blow- Smoke, Yes, na him, na the only person wey I know say just hammer big money. Na him be the grand commander of the Free-Hands and no be small hammer dem hammer.’’ Chambers boasted confidently.

‘’ So you think say this man Smoke, abi wetin you call am fit get interest for this kind business? Na big money we dey talk about o’’ Colour pricked him with more words.

‘’ Which kind money you dey talk about? E get money wey pass dollars again? I dey tell you say this guy dey swim inside millions of dollars, you think say I just dey yarn Okpata. If na money issue, no wahala. Na to sell am the idea I no dey too sure of.’’ Chambers boasted again, belched, and then pushed back his chair to sniff some snuff.

‘’ So you fit collect us with the Bobo then?’’ Colour asked with an excited look.

‘’Why not, but it depend on wetin dey for me. This na big business as you talk.’’ Chambers told him, a grin now appearing on his face as he stared at both of them.

‘’ That one no wahala, I go discuss am with my friend, but take am say you don already dey inside the business. So how we wan take meet the guy? Na Abuja here he dey stay?

Colour asked as his heart now pumped faster. He waited silently to hear the next most important answer he had long been waiting to hear. However, Chambers stared thoughtfully at him, and then grinned wryly at both of them.

’’ First- thing- first, my brother, Make you discuss with your friend, make I no where I stand. This na big business.’’ He said, sipped his tea and then smiled up wryly at both of them.

One hour later, now fully organized and ready to go, the trio made their way out of Colour’s apartment into the compound. A door leading to one of the other flats suddenly pushed open and a middle-aged man of about forty five stepped out of the door and beamed curiously at Colour. The man, a short fat man with an oversize head, thick lips and darting small eyes, stared curiously at Ken Solomon, and then at Chambers before returning his focus to Colour who was not expecting to meet anybody at home at that particular time of the day.

‘’ Afternoon Colour, e be like say you get important visitors?’’ The man asked, his gaze refocusing on KS

‘’Afternoon, Mr. Gabriel, yes, I get important visitors, Na my friends. ’’ Colours replied and systematically led KS and Chambers out of the compound before the man could asked any more question. Although, he was still gaping at them as they moved towards his car and followed them with his curious eyes as they drove away.

‘’ That man look like the Amebo of this house’’ Chambers said from the back seat as he continued to stared at the fat man by the gate.

‘’ Na the busy-body of our compound be that.’’ Colour told him with a smile as he drove out of his street.

They had come to an agreement that Chambers would be part of the new refinery with an automatic employment and retirement benefit if he could link them up with Smoke with a promise of some shares in the business if he could persuade him to invest; a proposition that had suited Chambers very well. He thanked his stars for bringing him in contact to this life saving business deal and excitedly visualized and imagined how rich and important he was going to become very soon if the business sailed through. But what Colour and Ken Solomon did not tell Chambers was that their meeting him in the first place at the Big Screen Galleria and the subsequent ferrying of his drunken frame to Colour’s place was all a pre-planned idea; a meticulous plan, earlier conceptualized by Colour.

Using his knowledge as a journalist and his vast experienced as a ‘town boy’ with many underground links, he was able to hear the latest grapevine news on the current champion among the top fraudsters in the country. The name of Smoke and his group the Free-Hands had remained top on the list, but exactly where they were was still a mystery to everyone with any knowledge about them; but one of his links had finally directed him towards Chambers at the Mercury Hotel. The link, a man in his early fifties had stared thoughtfully at him for some seconds after he asked him about the Free-Hands.

‘’ The only man wey fit give you correct information about Smoke and him gang na Chambers.’’

The man informed him. A further inquiry had directed him to the Stone Hotel, another of his famous hangouts. And it was from the Stone Hotel that he got the news that Chambers seemed to have disappeared from the environment few days after a rich guest had tipped him in dollars at the Mercury Hotel. Digging further, he learnt that one of his new hangouts was the Big Screen Galleria. He then briefed Ken Solomon about his solo adventure the previous day without giving him the full details. What he told him was just to be handy with some dollar notes. He has a plan in his mind. So at the moment they were on their way to the Mercury Hotel where KS was expected to drop to go start making the necessary arrangement for their journey of tracing Smoke.

‘’ So, you dey sure say we go meet this guy for Kaduna tomorrow?’’ Colour asked as he headed towards Jabi dam and made his way along the three-lane expressway that linked up the central area.

‘’ I sure say we go meet them. Na Kaduna he tell me say dem dey head to that day wey we meet for Mercury.’’ Chambers replied confidently.

‘’ I wish say you get him phone number. Everything for just dey easy for us, we for just call am to know where he dey. Abi no be so?’’

‘’ Na true, but like I earlier explain to una, Smoke no dey carry one number long for body. You know how many people go dey disturb am with call every day? In fact, e tell me say him no dey even carry phone waka again. But no worry we go catch am for Kaduna, except if he don decide to leave town.’’

‘’Well, if you say so. Everything na try.’’ Colour answered, as he cut towards Mercury junction and headed towards the hotel. He parked his beetle few minutes later at the busy carport inside the vast compound and KS got out of the car and smiled at both of them.

‘’ Thank you guys for the wonderful adventure.’’ He told them, smiled and sauntered towards the hotel lobby as Colours restarted the car, reversed and drove out of the hotel with Chambers eyes still staring admiringly at Ken Solomon athletic frame as he disappeared into the hotel. This aroused more confidence in him about the business and the assurance that the white man was truly a rich guy staying at the Mercury Hotel.

Ken Solomon had already showered and relaxing in a brown Khaki short and a white singlet by the balcony when Colour returned back to the hotel and rang his room bell. Holding his glass of whisky, he went to the door and admitted him. They both sauntered back to the balcony and Colour dropped his frame into a chair.

‘’ So how far, you’ve dropped him? And hope you got the stuff? I have a sleepy brain right now.’’ KS told him, lighting a fresh cigarette.

‘’ Yes, I dropped him where he could easily board a bus to his place and yes, I got some good grass, but we are not smoking it here. We need some natural fresh air to think and strategies.’’ Colour replied.

‘’So where do we go? Mind you, my stay here ends tomorrow, and as I told you, I am running out of cash.’’ KS said with a thoughtful look.

‘’ Yes, I know, the more reason why we need to go out to an isolated place to think and talk.’’ Colour told him and lit a cigarette.


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*********
While Colour and Ken Solomon were busy trying to woe Chambers to their bait, the EFCC through its special operation, code named ‘Operation Water’ were also busy, engaged in the act of tracking down the Free-Hands through the internet. And through the effectiveness and efficiency of the team under Mai-Coins, and most importantly the savvied brain and tricky hands of their female colleague, Diza, they caught their first major big fish in the person of Skinny. Though the EFCC now had some detains of the Free-Hands dubious transactions all sieved out through the prowess of the Operation Water team from their website and their email box, this including some of their bank statements and various accounts. What they still lacked was the faces of those behind the group. Traces through these banks had yielded a decoy to a lawyer and an Investment House who had refused to name their clients, and were presently under arrest and questioning in one of their notorious cells. What really baffled the Commission was the fact that they were still finding it difficult to trace one Kenneth Edward Solomon, a white American who was the worst hit by the gang, but yet he had made no complain to any authority here in Nigeria and surprisingly even in his own country.
The guy just seemed to have disappeared. A call and a visit to his office through their network in America had reported that the last place he had told his personal Assistant, one Ms Pamela Evans he was traveling to was Nigeria. And a check through the immigration department at the airport confirmed that nobody bearing the name Kenneth Edward Solomon entered the country within that speculated days. A secret check at the America Consulate in Abuja and Lagos also showed no record of his trip to Nigeria. Though they now had picture of the young looking American, but where on earth could the guy be hiding? Again, what happened to the large sum conned out from him by the Free Hands? These were the puzzles the EFCC team was still trying to crack that Wednesday as the Operation Water team set up for work.
The agency had wanted to place him on their publicized wanted list, but the fact that this could arouse the suspicious of the Free-Hands and other interested parties discouraged the agency and so the investigation continued under top secrecy. As earlier mentioned the letter from Fingers Consultants was from no other person but from the Operation Water team, planned and composed under the guardianship of Special Agent Diza and sent out confidently from the office special website that has the capacity to switch website addresses and conform to any location. So when Fingers Consultant gave the impression that they were based in Lagos and had posted their mail from there, it was all part of a decoy, the letter had actually been sent from the EFCC operation water’s office in Abuja. Mai Coins and Etim had listened skeptically to Diza when she first shared the idea of using the same tools used by the Free Hands to beat them to their game.

‘’ I think the best way to beat this syndicate is to use the same tricks they are using to lure their victims .’’ She had suggested as they resumed work on Wednesday in their isolated office.

‘’I don’t get it, which of their tricks, mind you these guys have many tricks in their unpatriotic heads.’’ Mai-Coins told her with a grin, and lit a cigarette, as Etim nodded his shaved head in agreement.

‘’ Phishing, and Whaling’’ Diza announced her eyes half glancing at her system.

‘’ Phishing and whaling, how do we do that?’’ Etim asked with a mischievous grin.

‘’ Watch me.’’ Diza responded with a broad smile.

And with this , Special Agent Diza had buried her head on her laptop, read through the gang various dubious letters and using their Phishing techniques, ideas and concepts , she craftily composed their first letter to the Free-Hands under Fingers Consultants one of the various registered companies used by the agency. And presently after spending all day anticipating a response from their organized trap, they finally got their break.

‘’ I think the fish is in the hook’’ Special Agent Diza, announced slowly as a new message biped up on her system. She stared at the mail and clicked it open as the others stared at their systems with the same mail. Mai-Coins and Etim clicked on the new massage and they all read the letter from Skinny silently.

Re- INTEREST TO INVEST IN NAIJA-PHONES

Dear Cynthia.

Thank you for your organization interest to invest in our reputable company Naija-Phones. We are happy to inform you that our management team have fixed 25th, March, of this month to have an audience with your team at the Obudu Cattle Ranch in Calabar, around 11:30pm, for further discussion.
It might interest you to know that we arrived on this decision after an emergency meeting with all the relevant shareholders, as your interest to invest came just few days after our Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Find attached all necessary information relating to the date, venue and time of the meeting. Also open is an option of a short video chat with one of our representative via Skype for more inquiries.
Thank you, while we look forward to meet.

Sincerely,
Franca James
P.A to the Chairman
Naija-Phones


The Operation Water team read the content of the letter and glanced silently at each other, and then they all beamed with smiles. Mai-Coins raised his plastic Coke bottle in salute to Diza.

‘’ Congratulation on our first big fish’’ He beamed out excitedly.

‘’ So, what is the next move?’’ Etim who was still reading the letter asked with an excited smile on his face.

‘’We take their bait immediately, I think they are still online now.’’ Diza replied, already clicking on her Skype page.

‘’ How? Mai-Coins asked with raised highbrows.

‘’Watch me. Just make sure none of you interfere in the conversation or come close to me.’’ With that, Diza signed into her Skype page and smartly connected to the directed Skype address from the Free Hands. There was a short delay as the page booted and a clear image of a beautiful female figure appeared on her screen. Pressing a key on her laptop, she secretly recorded the image and the conversation as well.

‘’ Hello - Good day.-I am Cynthia Moses from Fingers Consultants. How are you?’’ She said aloud to the image on the screen as Mai-Coins and Etim sat down quietly and listened to the conversation.

‘’ Hello, I am fine. My name is Franca James, I represent Naija Phones, how may I be of help to you?’’ The image on the screen replied with clarity.

‘’Yes, I am responding to your invitation on Skype for clarification on our scheduled meeting with your company in Obudu as arranged.’’ Diza responded with a friendly smile.

‘’ Okay, what exactly are you not satisfied with.’’ The beautiful face of Lizzy, alias Franca inquired with a friendly smile.

‘’ Well, I think I am okay seeing a beautiful face like yours in Naija-phones, your company must have class then, which is what our client want.’’

‘’ Oh- that is a bit flattering but thanks for appreciating us. I want to assure you on behalf of my company that we are genuine and ready to do business with your organization. I hope you are satisfied with the date and venue. Don’t worry you are on safe ground.’’ Franca assured her with a smile.

However, the sharp eyes of Diza and her shrewdness knew someone was by the background coaching her on what to say, but she never gave out a hint that she knew, instead she nodded at the screen and spoke cheerfully to Franca.

‘’ I think I am satisfied with the arrangement. We will get back to you to tell you our accommodation arrangement and time of arrival. It has been a great pleasure and wonderful experience meeting you online Franca, Thank you.’’

‘’ It has been my pleasure too Cynthia. I look forward meeting you on Friday then.’’ Franca replied still beaming with smile.

‘’ Ok. See you on Friday’’ Diza responded with smile.

‘’ Okay, waiting to hear from you, thank you and have a sweet trip’’ she said and then signed out.

Diza also signed out of the Skype page and smiled up at Mai-Coins and Etim who both stared curiously at her.

‘’ I think you guys can come over and take a look now. She smiled and then replayed her recorded conversation with Franca. The two EFCC agents stared quietly at the screen and listened to the conversation.

‘’ She is top among our most wanted list’’ Mai-Coins finally told Diza as they all stared surprisingly at the recorded face of Lizzy, alias Franca of the Free-Hands.



*********
Seated just a little distance from Lizzy, Skinny a smile on his face, clapped his hands in appreciation.
‘’ That was brilliant.’’ He announced lifting himself from the sofa. ‘’ You handled her in a professional manner, I like that.’’ He continued, filled his glass with whisky and lit a cigarette.

‘’ Really, thank you. So what is next? Lizzy asked moving away from the laptop and walked towards the wide window to stare at the hotel scenario from Skinny room.

‘’We start preparing for a trip to Obudu. ’’ Skinny replied smiling as he replayed their recorded conversation with Diza. He stared for some seconds at the enticing face of Diza. ‘’ She is not bad.’’ He announced still smiling.

Lizzy remained standing by the window, her beautiful eyes taking in the scenario downstairs.

‘’ I don’t know why, I am not too comfortable with this deal. Don’t you think we should inform the rest?’’ She finally said, her face still looking out of the window.

‘’ Common, please don’t start that again. We have been through this before. I am assuring you again that nothing is going to happen. We will do this sharply, get the money and remain here till everything settled down. What is there to be scared of for God sake? Just play cool and we will have some millions of dollars in our hands very soon.’’ Skinny lectured her, as he shut down his laptop.

The reader might be wondering at this point how Lizzy suddenly got involved with Skinny in this current secret deal with the EFCC team pretending to be Fingers Consultant. Well, what really happened was that Skinny having realized that he could not carry out the deal alone without the assistance of someone he could trust to act as a secretary for the company, especially a female staff, had approached Lizzy at the hotel swimming pool that evening. She was actually busy enjoying and jamming herself to Tiwa Savage music with an earphone by the poolside and a bottle of expensive wine while she fed her eyes to the hottest fashion in vogue from the latest edition of African Print, the popular African fashion magazine.
Dressed in a flowering white skimpy dress that reached just above her knees and a bespoke sky-blue skin sandals and a Gucci sunshade, she held her eyes glued to the magazine, away from the curious eyes of some of the randy men and jealous women around. Skinny had walked up confidently to her and craftily intimated her about the mail he had received from Fingers Consultant few hours ago. Two things gave him the confidence that he could approach her. First, was their secret love affair, a short lustful event that had lasted only one night after a room party while they were holed up inside the Mercury Hotel. The sexual attraction had begun after some excessive drinking and smoking of weed, a practice that she rarely indulged in. However, that night had been different and Skinny sensing her sexual mood had cleverly seduced her into her room where he had spent the night under her fierce lovemaking. Victor and John Bull who had been too drunk and high on weed all night throughout the party never knew what took place. It was a little secret between the two of them; a one-night stand that never happened again since that night.
The second factor that gave Skinny the confident to confide in her was the fact that he knew she loves and worship money, not just little money. No, Lizzy he knew craves for big money, especially money running into millions. One thing he had noticed about her was her insatiable desire to spend money. She was a spend-spree who enjoys dishing out money like biscuit. One of her favourite likes in life is to go on big shopping spree, cat walking from one big shop or boutique to another, emerging with the latest expensive perfumes, designer shoes and sunglasses, including other expensive bespoke items her itchy fingers could spree her money on. So with these two elements on his mind, he had decided to approach her confidently that evening at the poolside. Again, the fact that both of them could not lay their hands on the huge amount scammed from Ken Solomon at the moment also played a vital factor in their quests to make and have more money at their disposal to live up their wild expensive lives.

‘’How will you feel to have some millions of dollars in your personal account? He asked as he sat next to her on an empty cane chair, and lit a cigarette with a smile.

‘’ Happy and rich of course. Who would not be? What is this all about anyway? I am happy already with all the millions in our hands.’’ She responded, sipped her drink and stared quizzically at Skinny who was smiling.

‘’ I need your confidence and trust to tell you this. I believe I can trust you, the reason why I came to you. Forget about our differences at the meeting.’’ Skinny continued, his eyes biting into her.

‘’ What is it all about? Lizzy asked, set her magazine aside and stared seriously at him.

‘’ Do I have your trust?’’ He demanded, searching her eyes.

Lizzy had stared thoughtfully at him for some seconds. Her eyes roved round the pool to make sure they were all alone; her mind also reflected on their little secret and then finally nodded silently at him. ‘’ You have my trust.’’ She replied, her eyes blazing into him.

‘’ Good. I know I could trust you.’’ With this, he had finally explained everything to her, concluding on his plan and strategy to conned Fingers Consultants and their foreign client the millions of dollars they were willing to invest and his intention to keep the money to himself and also his willingness to split the take with her if she was ready to play along without the others knowing.

Lizzy had listened to him, saw the sense in his plan and strategy and enthralled on the possibility of cornering some millions of dollars for herself and the freedom it would give her to leave the gang and be her own boss in some legitimate business. Yes, this was a lifetime opportunity, also a dangerous one she reasoned. But nothing bad in taking the risk, it will be a quick one and with the strategy Skinny had explained to her none of the other would know. This was more of a cash and carry issue. She concluded and made up her mind to join the deal and see where it would take them.

‘‘ How are you going to handle Smoke and the rest?’’ She asked the most troubling question on her mind, her eyes deep into him.

‘’Leave that to me. Every transaction and business buildup is in my hands. I am in control of our IT and online banking transactions. I have all the secret codes and data. Therefore, you see, I am in control. Just play your part and leave the rest to me.’’ Skinny assured her confidently with a boastful look and this was the genesis of their secret partnership.


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**********
Ken Solomon was the first to sight him as he make his way in his wobbling casual walk towards the busy car park. His sharp photographic brain had quickly scanned through his memory trying to place where he had first saw the thin looking man with bloodshot eyes. Something about his gaze and walk had triggered his memory and he was quick to recognize the shabby looking guy his taxi driver had warned him to stay clear off – yes, this man now partially dressed in new blue caftan was nobody else but the witty looking Chambers, he concluded as he stared quizzically at the moving figure.

‘’ Look, that guy, what is he doing here? Seems to be everywhere’’ He told Colour, his eyes still on Chambers who was busy sniffing snuff into his nose with his back resting on a packed BMW.

‘’Who?’’ Colour asked, turned and stared towards the car park. He stared at the figure by the car for a long moment and then finally grinned.

‘’ That is our man.’’ He announced to the surprised of KS who stared questionably at him.

‘’ You mean that Scumbag. I am aware that he conned suckers off their money every day.’’ KS rattled out with disappointment.

Colour stared at him, glanced once more at Chambers and grinned. ‘’ Yes, that is our man. Just relax. Hope you have the dollar bills with you?’’

‘’ Of course, I did as you instructed. I have about five hundred bills of American dollars with me. ‘’ KS told him with a suspicious look. ‘’ But tell you what, I am not giving a dime to that drunk. I am not gonna fall a sucker to his tricks.’’ He added with a resolute decision.

Just then Chambers now through with his snuff made his way towards them, his tipsy eyes looking a little sober and glanced far ahead at the big entrance to the main structure. He was eager to get into the Cinema and while away sometime with a western movie slated for the evening. The Big Screen just like any other rich setting was one of the places that he had long added to his frequent joints. He glanced at a cheap imitated gold plated wrist watch on his dry hand and noted that more cars were trooping into the car park. There is still more time before his usual confrontation with the rich suckers around. He thought, a hidden grin suddenly appeared on his face as he continued towards the structure, unmindful of KS and Colour eyes on him.

Colour quickly explained the plan to KS who listened attentively, his eyes half glancing at Chambers who was still making his way towards the building. ‘’ Okay, go. Just relax and do as I say. Trust me on this.’’ Colour said, nudging Ken Solomon to move.

KS stared quietly at him, then at the approaching Chambers who was almost few steps away from the entrance. He stood up reluctantly and then moved casually towards him.

‘’ Hello, Chambers, right?’’ He called out to Chambers who paused in his strides and stared questionably at him.

KS noticed his bewilderment and quickly stepped closer to him and extended his hand.

‘’ Look like you don’t know me again. Well never mind, it’s been long, three years ago, at the Mercury. Remember?’’ He asked with a wide grin, and then pumped Chamber’s dry hand.

Chambers gawked with surprise at the strange white man shaking his hand friendly, his drunken brain trying to place him. But many years of confronting various white guests at the Mercury Hotel and his other trap zones, including his daily drinking had eroded his ability to remember most of them by face at first instance. This could be one of the many white men he had conned off few bucks at the Mercury. He reasoned, and grinned back at KS with his stained teeth, his shrewd mind already calculating the possibility of conning the friendly looking white man some few naira notes or if he was lucky some American dollars. So he put on his sympathetic look and pumped back KS hand happily and then shook his head sadly.

‘’ Ha! Sorry Oyinbo. I meet plenty white men all the time. I cannot remember. Yes, I am Chambers, the original Chamberlain from Nigeria. So how are you enjoying my country?’’ Chambers asked still grinning.

‘’ So sweet, just breezed in yesterday. The name is Richard Edward. I was sitting right over there with a friend when I sighted you from afar. And I told my friend that we met at the Mercury Hotel the last time I was here three years ago, and he thought I was kidding. He said the Chambers he knew at the Mercury doesn’t in anyway look like you. So we had a bet of a hundred dollar a piece that whoever wins, give you the two hundred dollars, that is, if you are Chambers.’’

KS hurriedly explained to Chambers who could not believed what he was hearing. Two hundred dollars! He almost shouted out with surprise, but controlled his excitement and instead nodded sheepishly at him, his drunken eyes half glancing at where KS was indicating. He stared quietly at the white man before him, his mind raced with various thoughts and his suspicious eyes never left him for a moment. He stood still, and tried to absorb what his ears had just heard. Could this be a joke or what? Or probably a trap set for him to fall into? He quickly reasoned, sobering up a bit and thankful that he had not drank much today, unlike yesterday when he had knocked off his brain. He was still nursing the hangover and had decided to threat himself with just three bottles that afternoon before venturing into the Big Screen cinema where he always come to enjoy some good western movies whenever some stray cash fell into his hands. And the money Smoke gave him few days back was almost gone from his itchy fingers, this after spending a greater part of it on women and drinks. He knew some of the few women he had bedded the last few days had conned him out of huge sum of money with one of them practically helping herself to few of the dollar notes as he lay exhausted and pissed out from their short lovemaking and excessive drinking in his cheap hotel room. Apart from this, he had also fell sucker to some sharp guys at the local Bureau de Change where he had gone to changed some of the dollars to naira. They had stared suspiciously at the money and his shabby looks and then sharply surcharged him, making a huge extra for their pockets. By the end of his adventurous two days of rocking from one joint to another he realized he had just few naira notes left in his pocket to sustain him for the week. He had cursed himself loudly wondering what really happened to the crispy dollar notes he had held proudly just some few days ago. The only thing he could show as proof of someone who few days ago had held some hundred of dollar notes in his hands were the blue caftan he was wearing, his new black skin sandals and his imitated gold wristwatch, including a new cheap mobile phone he had thought wise to buy after changing some of the dollar bills into naira the first day the money entered into his hands.

‘’ So where is your friend, let’s go and see him. I am the one and only Chambers around this city.’’

Chambers finally announced proudly as Ken Solomon, a hidden grin on his face led them towards Colour who was busy sipping his drink over a stick of cigarette. He pushed back his chair curiously as the two men walked into the open bar; a wide smile greased his face. Few of the customers around stared uninteresting at them as they walked up to their table. But one of the waiters, a short thickset youth who had recognized Chambers and knew him as a scavenger of rich guests’ sauntered up to their table with a disapproved look on his fleshy face.

‘’ Excuse me sir, is this guy disturbing you’’ He threw the question loudly at Chambers with a scorn.

‘’ No, not at all, I guess you know him?’’ KS replied and pushed a seat friendly at Chambers

‘’Yes, he his Chambers, we know him here and….’’

‘’ That’s okay. He is our friend.’’ Colour cut in slowly, a wide smile on his face. ‘’ Please get us more drinks. The usual Gulder for Chamber, I guess?’’ He added, smiling at Chambers as he dismissed the curious waiter calmly.

Chambers who was still finding it difficult to place the two men before him suddenly stared suspicious at both of them, and then nodded. His drunken brain made some quick calculation and his tipsy eyes scanned the strangers with guarded look, actually wondering if they could be one of his suckers for the evening. He was now eager to hear more about the two hundred dollar belt, get the money and hit the town. He had almost lost his cool when the waiter had confronted him. But no amount of confrontation or intimidation would have stopped him that moment from obtaining this easy money.

Colour still wearing a smile on his face extended his hand to him ‘’ Nice to meet you, so true, you still be same old Chambers wey I know?’’ He suddenly broke into pidgin with a warmed handshake.

‘’ Yes, na me, the one and only Chambers around.’’ Chambers responded, happy that the black guy was down to earth in his local dialect. ’’ But, true I still dey find am difficult to remember your face and your Oyinbo friend, na for where we meet self? Chambers asked with a wry grin on his face.

But before Colour could respond to his question the waiter brought their drinks and stared inquisitively at Chambers with a scorn and then strangely at his two companions. He served their drinks and then sauntered thoughtfully away. KS sipped his drink and stared admiringly at the unfolding drama before him. He actually liked hearing the Nigerian speak fluently in the popular pidgin language as he tries to grab one or two words they say to his understanding.

‘’I know say he go dey difficult for you to remember me now, But na for Mercury we meet, this story don reach almost five years ago. He don t-e-y!’’ Colour rolled out confidently.

Chambers stared hard at him and tried to reason carefully, but the sudden flash of the two--hundred dollar bills from Ken Solomon hand as he placed them on the table cut out any other reasoning power in him. He stared anxiously at the new crispy bills with a broad smile.

‘’ So, I won, and he won’’ KS announced pushing the two hundred dollar bills towards Chambers who stared at the bill, then at both of them. He grinned wolfishly, and quickly mopped up the bills from the table, then smartly tucked them away inside his caftan pocket.

‘’ Yes, you won, and he won. So let’s celebrate.’’ Colour added, and waved to the waiter to bring more drinks.’’

And so it was that evening at the Big Screen gallery. Colours and Ken Solomon working on a pre- arranged plan encouraged Chambers to stay and take more drinks, including hot spicy chicken pepe soup and roasted kidney dressed up with onions, pepe and tomatoes. And as the drink flows, so did the chitchat and also did Chamber’s wary tight lips loosened up and he unconsciously rolled out some hidden secret about the Free-Hands and their boss. Again, the fact that the two looking generous gentlemen who could afford to give out two hundred dollars just like that, appealed to his greedy mind, with a self assured hope that he might be lucky to con more from them as the night rolled on. So he gave them more than they expected.

‘’ Some people- dey chop money- my brother; I mean real money’’ He boasted as he chew on a kidney and drown it down with a long swing from his five bottles at the moment.

‘’ Money na money which one be real money again.’’ Colour asked jokingly

‘’ Money dey different my brother; I dey talk of dollars. You no go believe say somebody dash me ten thousand dollars recently. Ten brand new hundred, hundred dollar notes. My brother- money sweet no be small.’’ Chambers chorused in his drunken voice.

‘’ True money sweet, but he depend on how man get the money.’’ Colour encouraged him with a smile.

‘’ Na true sha, but who care for this country as long as the money dey flow.’’ Chambers replied defensively.

‘’ Na true, I agree with you. Nobody care for this country again whither you be thief, armed robber or ritualist as long as money dey flow for your pocket. But the problem be say dem no dey spend this kind money well at the end of the day. See as dem dey end up, abi you never notice?’’ Colour asked, sipped his drink and smiled up at KS who was busy on one of the kidneys.

‘’ You guys, just talking about money all day. Me, I am enjoying myself here.’’ KS said mouthful.

‘’Yes, Money, Oyinbo - Very good for life’’ Chambers drown on with a smile at KS and then turned back to Colour. ‘’ I dey see. Na true, easy money na wahala. In fact, I no know wetin I take the ten thousand dollars do; the thing just disappear fi-a-m, one hand like magic’’
Chambers demonstrated drunkenly with his hand and burst into laugh.

‘’ I no tell you, na so e dey be. Maybe the person wey dash you the money and the money get question mark, abi wetin you think?’’ Colour threw the bait at him and Chambers sank his mouth and got caught. So, he rolled out one of the most vital information about Smoke and his gang that evening.

‘’ I believe so, but no be new thing. Only say their own no be small thing. Na international Yahoo Boys’ dem be. Nobody reach Owo-Blow, the Baba himself, the invincible Smoke and him boys for this country. My brother, no be small hammer I hear say dem hammer o. Na heavy dollars.

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CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

The Big Screen Mall without mincing words is one of the most outstanding entertainment centers in Abuja, and no doubt among the best in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. Seated on a vast expanse of land, right behind the Shehu Yar’adua centre, the structure with its milk colour painting stood out boldly from the background of another imposing building with blue tinted glasses. It was at this exclusive mall that Colour took Ken Solomon to on Wednesday. They had departed on Monday with an agreement to meet on Wednesdays after Colour might have carried out some background checks on some of the information KS had provided him with a promise to call him the next day to fix were to meet.

They met at the junction of Shehu Yar’adua centre; KS in his rented taxi and Colour inside his trademark beetle and from there they had drove into the big parking space of the Big Screen Entertainment Centre after KS had instructed his driver to take the day off. The sunny afternoon carried along with it a scorching heat and Colour suggested they take a sit at the tidy outdoor bar not far away from the entrance leading into the arcade. KS nodded and they isolated themselves on a table away from the few customers engrossed in different discussions and lunch.

‘’ So what do you have for us?’’ KS asked as they settled down for some drinks. He had declined the glass cup on his table and rather sipped his Guinness Stout straight from the bottle.

‘’ Something encouraging’’ Colour replied filling his cup from a bottle of Night Train Express.

‘’ Really. Then that is good news. A wonderful one since I came.’’ KS replied with an excited look.

‘’ There is someone here we have to see. But it could be tricky, depending on how we played our cards.’’ Colour said, sipping his drink.

‘’ Who is this guy’’

‘’ I don’t know him, but I have a description’’

‘’ So how do we see him? And what is this about carrying some dollar bills?’’ KS asked and lit a cigarette with a curious look.

‘’ We wait here and watch out for him. I will spot him when I see him. Just relax and enjoy your drink. I will make things clearer to you as things unfold’’ Colour assured him with a grin.

‘’ I am all eyes.’’ KS responded with a chuckle.


**********
The meeting of the Free-Hands continued into the next day and it was during their next day meeting that they met Special Agent Hadiza of the EFCC online. Though, they never knew she was part of the crime fighting commission, it was Skinny who as head of the Free-Hands internet activities that met her. The group had agreed and concluded on the need to broaden their horizons business wise and invest in some legitimate business like the fledging Nigeria oil sector and pump in some money into real estate and hotel business. The most important thing on their mind was to ensure that they never gave back a kobo to their victims. Although Skinny had listened attentively to Smoke and the others as they rolled out their ideas about the investments, his mind was silently deliberating on the best way to bring up the issue of splitting the money and let everyone do whatsoever he or she desires to do with his share. However, he knew this was not the right moment to go into the issue again having lost his esteem yesterday. So, he had nodded wryly to their ideas and partly succumbed to their final decision with a self promise to find a way out. The meeting ended and everyone headed to their respective rooms to cool off in their suites.

The way came to Skinny in his hotel room as he smoked a joint and sipped from a bottle of Jonnie Walker, and his smart brain hacked into some unsuspecting rich websites on the internet. With the others now away from him and the sun almost fading out from the sky, succumbing to a breezy evening with a lot of promises, he browsed the internet from his big bed and hacked into few websites, a hobby he cherished doing whenever he had time to practice his skills. He was still browsing an hour later when a blink on his system informed him of a new mail on his box. Skinny never underrates any mail as he was an expert himself on letter writing and business proposal. So, lighting a cigarette, he sipped his drink and clicked on his mail box. The latest mail he noticed was a local mail from Nigeria and he felt disappointed. He always looked forward to mails from abroad. This gives him the opportunity to know some new white men and women to direct his next dubious letters to.

He hissed, and was almost clicking off the new mail when the headline suddenly caught his criminal mind ‘’INTEREST TO BUY SHARES IN NAIJA-PHONES.’’ He sat up curiously and slowly clicked the mail open and then carefully read through the short but concise note. The mail was from a company that called itself Fingers Consultants, a firm in Nigeria representing Clean Mobile, one of American’s biggest mobile phone network companies and one of the most efficient in the world.

The crafty mail read:

Dear Sir,
We write as representative of Clean Mobile Company USA, and seek to have an audience with your representatives to discuss the possibility of our client interest to invest in your mobile company Naija-Phones as soon as possible.
This is in response to your earlier letter of invitation titled: PHONES FOR 100 MILLION PEOPLE. We are delighted to inform you that our client after much consideration and consultation has finally decided to invest in your company through the acquisition of some substantial shares worth millions of dollars.
The budgeted amount we shall disclose after meeting with your representatives to iron out all the necessary agreements. We shall be glad if you can fix a date and the venue of the meeting at your earliest convenience.
Please find below the original copy of your letter of invitation.
Thank you for taking your time through our response and we look forward to a mutual business understanding and partnership with you.
Sincerely Yours,
Cynthia Moses
Head Business Development
Fingers Consultants

Skinny a broad smile on his face, carefully read the letter, his greedy eyes darted quickly to their own letter and he read each paragraph of his letter with relish.
The mail had read:

Dear Sir,
It is our pleasure to inform your honorable firm of our conclusive decision to finally put our esteem telecommunication company NAIJA PHONES up for privatization. We hereby wish to invite you as one of the first bidder for this potential business with a visible and realistic market of providing communication for more than a hundred million subscribers.
It is our delight to invite you to our Homepage on our website www.naijaphones.com for more information.
Thank you for taking time to go through our letter and we hope this will form the basis of a long working business association with you and your amiable company.
Yours sincerely,
Elder Walter Micheal Orosu
For: Naija Phones.

He stared thoughtfully at the screen, his brain could not recollect if he had actually sent out a letter to any company known as Clean Mobile.USA, during his numerous phishing and syndication of scam letters across the internet, neither could he remember if any member of the syndicate had sent out any Whaling mail on their behalf; this was doubtful, because every mail and any correspondence sent out by the Free-Hands had always originated from him and passed through the group mail box, which only him and Smoke had access to. Could Smoke possibly send out a mail without his consent and advice? He tried to reason as he re-read the mail.

He quickly clicked on the sent mailbox and browsed through all the sent mails and was not too surprised when he did not find the original copy of the sent mail to Clean Mobile. Smoke or whoever among them had sent the mail must have deleted the evidence he concluded, and a wry grin suddenly appeared on his face. He knew he had methodically constructed the ‘bait’ letter as they called the letters they sent out to various potentially suckers across the world. However, this time they had decided to focus first on American rich men and women in the United States and the syndicated letters had been the same, but not too much not to keep a copy on their sent box. He reasoned his mind debating on the next step to take.

He sat broadening for some few minutes between five sticks of cigarettes and after almost empting the bottle of Jonnie Walker, he finally came to a decision. He picked his laptop, and resent the mail from Fingers Consultants into his private mailbox and then sat down to compose a quick response to the mail; a self-decision he took without the consent of Smoke and the others. He stared proudly at his creative letter, grinned and clicked the sent button. He waited to make sure the mail had been delivered and then deleted the sent mail and the original letter from the gang mailbox, clearing any evidence of any received mail from Fingers Consultants.


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PART 3

The Showdown


CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

Detective Mai-Coins sauntered back and front from the wide window inside his new office at the headquarters’ of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja. The exquisite building known as: IDIAGBON HOUSE hosted the new specially set up office under the Operations Department, which also is the hub of all investigation activities of the Commission. The ‘O’ department as it is fondly called among personnel has the responsibility for investigating all cases that falls within the mandate of the Commission. Such cases includes infractions that are contrary to the provisions of the Commission’s enabling law; the EFCC Act 2004, as well as a posse of other laws, which the Commission has directs responsibility for enforcement. Some of these laws include the Money Laundering Act 2011, the Advance Free Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, including the Failed Banks (Recovery of Debt). The Department is headed by the Director of Operations, who reports directly to the Executive Chairman while all the Heads of Operation in the Zonal Offices in turn report to the Director of Operations.

This was his first day in the office and he was still trying to comprehend the sudden change that had happened to his life and career in less than forty-eight hours. He was still marveled at the miraculous directive that came in from headquarter directing him and his subordinate Etim to pack their bags and report to headquarter between the next twenty four hours; a move that not only came as a shock, but also ended their three months timorous posting. Everything seemed to be happening so fast like a dream. First, the unexpected letter from headquarters directing him to report to Abuja immediately and the same message had been related to Etim in his own letter, and then the new position. They had both been elevated to their old ranks and assigned back their old case – The Free-Hand’s file; with a serious directive from their new chairman to either crack the case or be ready to head back to their old frustrating posting in the terrorist ravage north-east.

‘’ You have no excuse whatsoever to give me at the end of the day if you failed to crack this case and bring me Smoke and his gang. I want their flame extinguish.’’ Their new proficient looking boss had barked out as they held their first face to face meeting with him inside his posh office, his eyes taking on both of them with a glazed look.

‘’ it’s your duty as reputable officers of this commission and patriotic citizens of this country to safe the nation from the embarrassing burning flames of this criminals and quench their fire. Your duty from now on is to employ all the necessary machineries and whatsoever tools and assistant you require from this commission and the nation to end the activities of this notorious unpatriotic Nigerians. I want you to skip all protocols and report to me directly.’’ With that, he had dismissed them with a caveat ‘’ Get me Smoke or you go back to your last posting’’.

This had been two days ago and every minute and everyday now counted to both of them as they set up office and tried to fashion out the best strategy to deal with this herculean task of tracking down and capturing the most wanted cyber-crime criminals in the history of the commission. He was still brooding thoughtfully by the window when a soft knock sounded on his door and he stared admiringly at a slim female figure dressed in a multi colour Vlisco designer dress made from Africa fabric, stepped confidently into the office. He was quick to notice her poise and her polish manner, including her disarming smile.

‘’ Good afternoon, sir, I am Special Agent, Hadiza Muktar, reporting to duty’’ The female figure announced in a soft husky voice.
Detective Mai-Coins still jolted by the beautiful figure standing before him, finally composed himself and smiled up broodingly from the window to his desk

. ‘’ Okay, Hadiza, welcome on board, hope you are ready for this?’’ He asked settling himself on his swing chair, just as Etim pushed his bulky frame into the office, and paused half way to stared confusingly at the female figure.

Mai-Coins noted his awed look and smiled up at him. ‘’ You are on time to meet special agent Hadiza, or Diza as she likes to be called, right?’’ He asked looking her in the face.

‘’ Positive, sir, you must have heard a lot about me then’’ Diza replied still smiling

‘’ I make it part of my duty to know who I am working with. Here, meet Etim, my second in command’’ Mai-Coins announced, and introduced
Etim who was still enthralled by the beautiful female specie with them.

‘’ Happy to meet you, sir’’ Agent Diza responded with a soft bow of her head. ‘’ I guess, I am under you, the third in command then’’ She added with a smirk.

They both stared at each other and then nodded at her. ‘’ Okay, let’s have our first meeting. Lock the door’’.
Mai-Coins finally instructed, pushed himself up from his seat and led them to a small conference table with three chairs, three Dell laptops and three bottled water and three glasses. He waited for them both to pick a chair and then dropped his slim frame at the end of the table.

‘’ They say you are one of the best Information Technology staff in the commission.’’ He threw the question at Diza who just smiled broadly as her slim fingers caressed the laptop in front of her.

‘’ Hmmm, Maybe, that is what they say, but I know I am good’’ She responded, still caressing the system.

‘’ I like your honesty.’’ Mai-Coins said and noted that Etim was yet to utter a word since he came in. ‘’ so, we are ready, show us how to break into the criminal world of the Free-Hands.

‘’ We call it hacking. Very well then, let’s go’’ She told then with a broad smile.

With that, special agent Diza flipped opened her system and they both did the same. And for the next few hours she manipulated the website of the Free-Hands, hacking into Naija-Phones.com, and sieved out vital information and addresses, including shrouded bank accounts and statements relating to the Free-Hands transactions with their various victims. They all whistled softly when she showed them their transaction with Ken Solomon, including all their correspondence.

‘’ Two hundred and twenty million US dollars-Jesus Christ’’ Etim whistled out with a stunned look.

‘’ I think this is their jackpot’’ Mai-Coins said, taking note of the figures on his jotter.

‘’But we don’t know or have a direction where the money is lodged… There is no record, it’s like secret accounts or something, but there was a transaction, you can see.’ Diza told them as she manipulated her way into the website and sieved out some bank statements.

She was still engrossed on the web five hours later before Mai-Coins called for a break. And they all paused to eat some fried chickens and rice, stepping it down with bottles of Coca Cola and Sprite.

‘’Are you guys ready? Time to return to work; you need to be on the net 24/7 always if you want to catch your prey’’ She told them and was already flipping up her system and logged in as the other scrambled back to their chairs.


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PART 3

The Showdown

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

Detective Mai-Coins sauntered back and front from the wide window inside his new office at the headquarters’ of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja. The exquisite building known as: IDIAGBON HOUSE hosted the new specially set up office under the Operations Department, which also is the hub of all investigation activities of the Commission. The ‘O’ department as it is fondly called among personnel has the responsibility for investigating all cases that falls within the mandate of the Commission. Such cases includes infractions that are contrary to the provisions of the Commission’s enabling law; the EFCC Act 2004, as well as a posse of other laws, which the Commission has directs responsibility for enforcement. Some of these laws include the Money Laundering Act 2011, the Advance Free Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, including the Failed Banks (Recovery of Debt). The Department is headed by the Director of Operations, who reports directly to the Executive Chairman while all the Heads of Operation in the Zonal Offices in turn report to the Director of Operations.

This was his first day in the office and he was still trying to comprehend the sudden change that had happened to his life and career in less than forty-eight hours. He was still marveled at the miraculous directive that came in from headquarter directing him and his subordinate Etim to pack their bags and report to headquarter between the next twenty four hours; a move that not only came as a shock, but also ended their three months timorous posting. Everything seemed to be happening so fast like a dream. First, the unexpected letter from headquarters directing him to report to Abuja immediately and the same message had been related to Etim in his own letter, and then the new position. They had both been elevated to their old ranks and assigned back their old case – The Free-Hand’s file; with a serious directive from their new chairman to either crack the case or be ready to head back to their old frustrating posting in the terrorist ravage north-east.

‘’ You have no excuse whatsoever to give me at the end of the day if you failed to crack this case and bring me Smoke and his gang. I want their flame extinguish.’’ Their new proficient looking boss had barked out as they held their first face to face meeting with him inside his posh office, his eyes taking on both of them with a glazed look.

‘’ it’s your duty as reputable officers of this commission and patriotic citizens of this country to safe the nation from the embarrassing burning flames of this criminals and quench their fire. Your duty from now on is to employ all the necessary machineries and whatsoever tools and assistant you require from this commission and the nation to end the activities of this notorious unpatriotic Nigerians. I want you to skip all protocols and report to me directly.’’ With that, he had dismissed them with a caveat ‘’ Get me Smoke or you go back to your last posting’’.

This had been two days ago and every minute and everyday now counted to both of them as they set up office and tried to fashion out the best strategy to deal with this herculean task of tracking down and capturing the most wanted cyber-crime criminals in the history of the commission. He was still brooding thoughtfully by the window when a soft knock sounded on his door and he stared admiringly at a slim female figure dressed in a multi colour Vlisco designer dress made from Africa fabric, stepped confidently into the office. He was quick to notice her poise and her polish manner, including her disarming smile.

‘’ Good afternoon, sir, I am Special Agent, Hadiza Muktar, reporting to duty’’ The female figure announced in a soft husky voice.
Detective Mai-Coins still jolted by the beautiful figure standing before him, finally composed himself and smiled up broodingly from the window to his desk

. ‘’ Okay, Hadiza, welcome on board, hope you are ready for this?’’ He asked settling himself on his swing chair, just as Etim pushed his bulky frame into the office, and paused half way to stared confusingly at the female figure.
Mai-Coins noted his awed look and smiled up at him. ‘’ You are on time to meet special agent Hadiza, or Diza as she likes to be called, right?’’ He asked looking her in the face.

‘’ Positive, sir, you must have heard a lot about me then’’ Diza replied still smiling

‘’ I make it part of my duty to know who I am working with. Here, meet Etim, my second in command’’ Mai-Coins announced, and introduced Etim who was still enthralled by the beautiful female specie with them.

‘’ Happy to meet you, sir’’ Agent Diza responded with a soft bow of her head. ‘’ I guess, I am under you, the third in command then’’ She added with a smirk.

They both stared at each other and then nodded at her. ‘’ Okay, let’s have our first meeting. Lock the door’’.

Mai-Coins finally instructed, pushed himself up from his seat and led them to a small conference table with three chairs, three Dell laptops and three bottled water and three glasses. He waited for them both to pick a chair and then dropped his slim frame at the end of the table.
‘’ They say you are one of the best Information Technology staff in the commission.’’ He threw the question at Diza who just smiled broadly as her slim fingers caressed the laptop in front of her.

‘’ Hmmm, Maybe, that is what they say, but I know I am good’’ She responded, still caressing the system.

‘’ I like your honesty.’’ Mai-Coins said and noted that Etim was yet to utter a word since he came in. ‘’ so, we are ready, show us how to break into the criminal world of the Free-Hands.

‘’ We call it hacking. Very well then, let’s go’’ She told then with a broad smile.

With that, special agent Diza flipped opened her system and they both did the same. And for the next few hours she manipulated the website of the Free-Hands, hacking into NaijaPhones.com, and sieved out vital information and addresses, including shrouded bank accounts and statements relating to the Free-Hands transactions with their various victims. They all whistled softly when she showed them their transaction with Ken Solomon, including all their correspondence.

‘’ Two hundred and twenty million US dollars-Jesus Christ’’ Etim whistled out with a stunned look.

‘’ I think this is their jackpot’’ Mai-Coins said, taking note of the figures on his jotter.

‘’But we don’t know or have a direction where the money is lodged… There is no record, it’s like secret accounts or something, but there was a transaction, you can see.’ Diza told them as she manipulated her way into the website and sieved out some bank statements.

She was still engrossed on the web five hours later before Mai-Coins called for a break. And they all paused to eat some fried chickens and rice, stepping it down with bottles of Coca Cola and Sprite.

‘’Are you guys ready? Time to return to work; you need to be on the net 24/7 always if you want to catch your prey’’ She told them and was already flipping up her system and logged in as the other scrambled back to their chairs.

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CHAPTER THIRTY

Skinny had different thoughts on his mind that afternoon as the Free-Hands held their first exclusive meeting at the Tinapa. What was topmost on his shrewd mind was the carefree attitude of their boss. Smoke was freely dishing out hundred of dollar bills around not mindful of the implication of such free gesture in the economic tight situation prevalent across the country. Moreover, very soon, some lousy mouths would start gossiping and before you know it, their sweet world would come crashing down under their heads. Again, it was high time they share the money and everyone takes his or her share. All these thoughts ran through his mind. His scratchy fingers could no longer wait to grab his secret $20 million, an amount only himself knew about at the moment. His dream was to be a billionaire in the country and he was almost getting there. He wished he could get the slight opportunity to transfer the cash into his personal account, but the chance was yet to come as Smoke had always stood over him and monitored him closely after entering his much guarded secret password whenever they do their online money transactions. He reasoned as they all listened to the confident speaking boss of the Free-Hands rolled out his plans that afternoon.

‘’ We should diversify and invest in some banks and oil companies across the country. In addition, we must continue to work as a team if we want to succeed. You will all agree with me that teamwork has brought us this far successfully or what do you all think?’’ He threw the question to them. They all nodded in agreement to his statement.

‘’ Any observation so far’’ He continued, lit a cigarette and sipped his drink and caressed the dog beside him.

They all stared questionably at each other and back at him, then Skinny cleared his throat and reeled out his mind.

‘’ Yes, I have some observation and it’s not good for us as a team.’’ He told the table.

They all stared more questionably at him, their individual mind trying to conjure what the ever smart Skinny was going to say. Smoke paused in his stroking of his dogs and paid more attention to the table.

‘’ Go on, we are listening. What have you observed, my dear Skinny?’’ He asked with a grin.

‘’ Your dollar spray; I think it is dangerous and not good for us right now. People will start noticing, and when people notice, they talk.’’

‘’ So, let them talk. The mouth is meant for talking.’’ Smoke chipped in still grinning.

‘’ It’s dangerous and careless’’ Skinny persisted.

‘’ Careless, what do you mean careless? So giving out charity is now careless in your eyes. No, I will not take that from you. We are not careless. We have never been careless. We are Free-Hands; we are giving back to our society what was long stolen away from it by slavery and colonization. So let them talk or what do you guys think?’’ Smoke rattled out angrily and then threw the question at the table, his eyes glazed dangerously and authoritatively across the setting.

Victor was the first to respond. ‘’ I am with you, boss. I think we should enjoy ourselves to the last. My people deserve to feel this hard currency. That is where the oil wealth of this country is coming from, the South-South. So let’s spray on, while they talk, after all it’s all about talking in this country with no action. Let them talk, jare’’ He added with a jeering grin and lit a weed.

‘’ John Bull?’’ Smoke called out, his eyes on him, but John Bull all along had been staring cynically at Skinny.

‘’ Who cares what they say boss. Let them use their big mouths and talk. We have been hearing their talking for a long time. I am here to relax and enjoy myself. So let them talk. I have no time to listen.’’ John Bull rolled out with a disgusting look on his face.

‘’ Well , Sisi, what’s your view? ‘’ Smoke grinned up at Lizzy who all along had remained quite as she listened and observed the drama at the table. She stared at the group one after the other, and then paused to glare at Skinny.

‘’ What do you mean we should cut down on our spending when money is meant to be spent?’’ She asked, her eyes still glued to him.

‘’ That is not what I say or mean to say. I am talking about spending the dollar recklessly.’’ Skinny rushed into a defense.

‘’ You are still saying the same thing. Well, I am not in support of your idea. I came here to pamper myself and enjoy some of the good things life can offer. Moreover, I like when people talk about it. What else do you want them to talk about, if not money? Please let us spray on; we have one life to live. In addition, no amount of talk –talk will stop me from enjoying my life.’’

Lizzy chimed out in her seductive voice as they all stared admiringly at her. This apart from Skinny who knew he had lost some of their confidence in him from that moment and decreased his statue in her eyes. He instantly lost the gut to bring up the next worry on his mind- the split of the bounty.

‘’ So, my dear Skinny, let them talk. What else have been going on in this country for almost twenty years since these buggy politicians took over if not talking. It’s all talk – talk, with no direction and action. It is as if you have not been listening. Maybe Victor should remind you of that big thief who stole billions of naira meant for old pensioners who had slaved for this country. What did they do to him at the end of the day?’’ Smoke asked with a jeering grin at Skinny.

‘’ Nothing happened Boss, just the usual loud talk and judicial gimmick. That big money could feed my people for the rest of their lives. It’s was all talk-talk after the show. Lets enjoy ourselves boss while they keep doing the talking.’’ Victor announced loudly with a disgusting look.

‘’ At least, we are doing something patriotic. We shall continue giving out freely as Free-Hands.’’ Smoke commanded and the meeting continued smoothly into their next agenda of which lucrative business to invest in.

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**********

‘’ You people already have everything. I mean, this nation is blessed with everything a people could hope for. Why then do you allowed your country to be tagged a fraudulent country with fraudulent people’’ KS asked in-between some sip of water and a stick of cigarette. They were still isolated in their hideout, hidden in between two large rocks and a shady lime tree.

‘’ Take for instance, this big Neem tree, I noticed it everywhere I go here, another nation and its people could turn it into a national income if they had what you have.’’ He added with a leer, his eyes roving around the environment.

‘’ I agree with you on this, but not on the other one. We are not a fraudulent nation or fraudulent people as you people think.’’ Colour replied with a grin.

‘’ We? -This is my view. I am victim for Christ sake; I think I am entitled to some opinion.’’ KS told him with a serious look

‘’ Yes, you are, but we are not all fraudulent. We are a good people of a great nation with hundreds of great people who will never sell their conscious for all your money. Though, I sympathize with you for ‘falling a Mugu’ in the hands of few of my countrymen. This should not make you judged us as a fraudulent nation with fraudulent people.’’ Colour told him with a smile. ‘’ Are you a murderer? ’’ He suddenly asked looking seriously at KS straight in the eyes.

‘’ What! a murderer, no, I hate seeing blood. What are you driving at? ‘’KS asked him suspiciously

‘’ Oh, so you are not. Will you be happy then to know that some of the views here about your country and its people portrays your society as a murderous nation where people owns guns and carry them about maiming innocent victims and causing serious crimes every day.’’ Colour told him with a jeering smile.

‘’ Really, Good and fine, I agree, I live in a violent society, caused mostly by individual greed and derangement. But we’ve got the law in my country and it works. We deal with you, whoever you think you are, big or small, rich or poor. The laws in America don’t discriminate. We call a thief a thief and a murderer a murder and sentence them accordingly.’’ KS drowned out jeeringly.

Colour stared thoughtfully at him, absolving every sentence into his mind, his brain tried to capture the scenario the Whiteman was trying to paint to him in words.

‘’ What are you trying to say? Why don’t you paint your point clearer? My vision is blurring’’ He finally said unable to respond with a more jeering answer.

‘’ Okay, let me paint it more clearer’’ KS responded with his jeering look. ‘’The laws in your country is discriminate, a cruelty to justice and the rule of law. For God sake! how can your law make sense by convicting a goat thief and sentenced him to harsh and longer years in prison and the same law strikes a deal with a public servant who has stolen millions of naira and at the end favors him with a light sentence of few days or weeks in prison or a mockery plea bargain. Tell me, what kind of edict is that? Kind of George Owell’s animal farm, I guess; with some animals not being equal to others in the eyes of the law.’’ KS rang out and burst into a jeering laughter.

Colour stared at him bewildered at his jeering laugh. He smiled, and then lit a rolled weed. He knew the guy was saying the absolute truth, and the more he listened to him, the more he wanted to hear more.

‘’ Damn it, you guys are the ones colonizing yourselves everyday here’’ Ken Solomon continued amidst laughter. ‘’ Even the internet we introduced to your country of recent has been turned into a battle ground among yourselves, bombarding each other with curses and illogical arguments everyday through the various social media; Instead of using it as a creative tool to enhanced your development and showcased the best of what you are.’’

‘’ It might interest you to know that we have some of the best creative minds in the world,” Colour told him proudly

‘’ Yeah, I know, I have seen and heard about some of them. I have heard about Philip Emeagwali the computer whiz kid; read about the creative Nigerian at General Motors, ’’

‘’ Jelani Aliyu, the senior creative car designer with General Motors,’’ Colour reminded him proudly

‘’ Yeah, him and those great fashion designers, some of your literary minds, your innovative musicians and the rest,’’ KS grinned at him. ‘’ Then my question is why can’t you design your own products and utilized the potentials of your creative minds? I mean if you can create your own beautiful clothes, build your fanciful houses, sing your sweet songs and cook your appetizing foods, then why are you still finding it difficult to create your own automobiles, design your own computers and phones, or manufacture your own generators and motorbikes, instead of flooding your markets with imported substandard goods from China and other western countries. I think your government has always been deep asleep while other awakened nations lured your creative minds and inventors away with enticing offers. Believe me, you have always been the root of your problems.’’ KS told him frankly.

‘’ I don’t agree with you on this’’ Colour manage to say, and then passed the smoke to him.

‘’ Why can’t you see it clearly’’ KS asked as he took some drags and puffed smoke out of his mouth slowly.

‘’ I am listening, enlighten me Prof. ‘’ Colour jeered at him.

‘’ Okay, whatever you call me. What I have read, observed and understood so far about your country is your attitudes of discrimination among each other. You have colonized yourselves with your segregated laws, you’ve colonized yourself with your schools and your educational system, including your tribes and religions and you don’t have a standard or what we call indigenous educational and administrative system. You have colonized yourselves with foreign ideas and goods; you are contented and proud to market and sell other people’s ideas and products. You do not even believe or appreciate what you have or who you are.’’ He paused stared thoughtfully at him and then asked.
‘’ In all honestly can you really change your color? I mean your black skin to white or whatever color you desire? Definitely, you can’t do that no matter whatever chemical or cream you used. The same applies to me; I can’t change my skin or who I am to a Black man or an Asian no matter my tricks. So I must accept who I am and what I am. But most of you have failed to comprehend this simple logical reasoning. You don’t appreciate who you are and what you have,’’ He paused and then ruptured into a short laugh. ‘’ I just read yesterday in some of your papers how some parents here are frantically paying huge amount of money to teach their children how to copy and speak in British and American accents. Ha! ha! ha! Ha!…honestly, I really laughed out my guts on the balcony when I read it.’’

‘’ I read it too, my people copy, I agree with you. They worship anything abroad, Tokunboh, as we call it. To be honest, it has always beaten my understanding too? But mind you we still have a large number of Nigerians who won’t give up their culture and tradition for any other under the sun.’’ Colour responded with a broad smile.

‘’ Yeah, I see some of them in their fashionable clothes every day, even you. I noticed you’re proud of your clothes with your colorful shirts and trousers, including some of the shoes I’ve seen on your legs. I love seeing your multi-color African print on many of you in America or Europe whenever I traveled, but the majority of you want to be like us, in ties, coats and hot skirts, Ha!ha!ha!ha!’’ KS chuckled out loudly and Colour joined him too. But the witty white man paused in between laughter and fired his next shot. ‘’ Then why are most of your textiles industries not functional like they used to be? What happened to those once lively big textiles companies I read about? What happened to the various research centres in your country? I mean the great Cocoa research centre? The mighty groundnut pyramids and your agriculture and livestock centres, including your famous rubber plantations? What happened to all these renowned establishments?’’ He cynically demanded.

Colour stared thoughtfully at him, marveled at his historical precision. They were questions he had no answer to and actually did not know what to tell the mocking white man before him. He knew the white man had an edge over him because of his experience in the country and in the hands of the Nigerian criminals who swindled him, unlike him who had never been to America or had a firsthand experience of what the country and its people look like, including their institutions. All he knew so far about the United States of America was what he had heard, read in books, magazines and newspapers, including some of the things he had seen on TV, the internet and movies.

‘’ Those are historical past, we are moving towards another dimension in our development,’’ He finally responded not too convinced with his response.


‘’ No, I don’t think so. What I think and could see is the fact that your government and people don’t encourage creativity. You don’t encourage your creative minds and innovative brains that have been able to create various prototypes of innovative machines and other man-made ideas. You now have a consuming populace, unlike your creative people of the past. Your nation still largely depends on the great institutions and innovations of your past leaders. You now have a generation that depended mainly on imported ideas, services and goods. You have a large poll of youths who have no jobs because of your nepotism and bias reasoning. You have various means of engaging your large workforce but always shrieked away with insubstantial evidence of monetary value to everything you do or think of doing. I have read various stories of young boys and men who have created prototypes of planes, cars, farm machines, choppers and other thought provoking inventions and startups but most of them if not all ended up as pipe dreams. Your nation would rather import same product from your neighbors than begins charity at home.’’

Ken Solomon still livid with his experience in the hands of the Nigerian cyber-crime criminals hit out at Colour. But he was not done yet.

''You are always afraid of spending money, because most of your leaders and people don’t know how to make money genuinely without depending on government budgets and bonds. You have failed to comprehend that people create money, money don’t people. So, I consciously believe that one should earn every dime he spends; I worked hard for that money. I sweated my ass off in the sun, rain and storm to get to where I was before those cheap thieves from your country cunningly pulled the ladder from my feet. How can you be proud to feed your stomach with other people’s money and you think it won’t rumble your stomach?’’ He threw the question at the thoughtfully looking Nigerian before him.

‘’ I don’t know, Hey! I have got nothing to do with your money, remember. I am just a Nigerian who found myself so without my consent, and I am very proud of it,’’ Colour responded with a smile. ‘’ Everyone to his and her conscious, you ripe what you sow,’’ He added.

KS listened to him, thought over what he said and then hit out once again with a frown for the first time.

‘’ Worst, you don’t respect and value the elderly. I have noticed with silent irritation the way and manner some old folks struggled daily in your country to survive, forgetting that you are all going to get old someday, no matter how gorgeous, strong and healthy you are today. Again, it’s sad and pathetic that your nation and its rich people don’t give a damn about the physically challenged people as well. I am yet to see any special provision for them anywhere around here. Instead, I have noticed with exasperation how many of them struggled to board buses, battle for space on your chaotic roads, and pushed around by able bodied men and women, sometimes without a second glance at their feeble conditions. Where are your conscious? ‘’ Ken Solomon demanded and then without waiting for a response, he grinned cynically at him and then added.
‘’I guess these could be the reasons why some cheap thieves from your country had no conscious to conned me out of my sweat, they stole my money, and that is dishonorable; not only to them but to your country as well. The fact is no matter how hard you people try to copy us, the far we get ahead of you. You can never be like us. We are who we are and you are who you are, just be yourself and do things your own way ’’

Colour stared thoughtfully at him, allowed him to drag more weed before collecting it from him.

‘’ I can see that you are angry my friend. Maybe we should concentrate on our mission here’’ He suggested, took a long drag on the weed and smiled up at him.

‘’ No, it’s okay. I guess I needed someone to throw those punches at, especially a Nigerian. I am sorry.’’ KS apologized and pushed himself up from his position. He sauntered to the edge of the big rock and took a panorama view of the area.

‘’ Its’ okay with me, you’ve all along being saying nothing but the truth and I like it.’’ Colour responded, and walked up to him.


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