WAZIRI {Volume One}
The dark figure leaped from one roof top to another, as rapid gun fire came at it. The five gunmen turned their backs at each other, being alert, with their guns pointing to the roof top.
"It's Waziri again, this guy is getting on my nerves, don't spare him this time" the boss shouted angrily.
Waziri, known by both old and young, far and wide, was a dreadful name especially to Drug Lords, Criminals, Terrorist, Armed robbers, criminals, kidnappers and all evil doers.
As much as the NPF loved him doing their jobs, he was still wanted on the criminal list, for killing and taking law to his hands, against criminals.
A baton rolled out in the air, from a corner among the building and hit one on the face, which sent him unconscious to the ground.
The dark figure, blending perfectly with the night, it launched a blow at another and immediately disappeared again.
Chapter One
"……..And now on local news, the popular vigilante, better known has Waziri, has once again, laid waste to the dreadful Almanad Gangs, known for their vicious deals in drugs and trafficking, speaking on this issue the IG of the NPF has gone against his act of meting out justice, which is against the act of the constitution............. "
The newscaster said from the plasma television which hanged on the wall of the bar, serving as entertainment to customers.
"Two more b..ooott...les please" A man who seemed to be dead drunk said and staggered up to the barman, who was pleased his customer asked for more.
"Oga Abbey, you Neva pay for yesterday money o" the pot bellied attendant said, and pulled out two filled bottle of beer from the crate beside him.
"Uche, I go pay, first serve me" Abbey replied and held one bottle under his armpit and struggled to get the next one open.
Uche only made a funny face and focused on the news.
"They for just allow this guy do im job o, as dem police dey fear to fight thug" Uche said, passing comment only to himself.
Uche was a successful bar man, he owned his own business, which was a full time alcohol seller, and that had seen him through lot of profit. His bar, was a classic one, with chairs neatly arranged round a table, and having about twenty of it in his bar, he also had those who worked for him, about four of them, all girls.
The bar attendant post, directly faced the entrance of the building, while the television was inches aside from the reception stand.
Abbey staggered to his seat and placed a bottle in his mouth, gulping down the content, and bealched out loudly, which got other customers complaining.
After being through with the first bottle, Abbey, gently laid it on the ground, and stood up, with the second beer bottle and staggered out of the bar.
As Abbey opened the door and got out of the bar, he collided with a group of boys, and vomited on someone's trouser.
"Am sor….rrry" Abbey said and began to stagger away.
"Sky, sky, una dey look me, see as this guy baff me na" The one from whom Abbey vomited on shouted in annoyance.
Abbey ignored the words and continued to walk on, soliloquising to himself, and constantly supporting himself with close objects.
Someone tapped him from behind, Abbey let out a hiccup from his mouth and turned around, facing the group of boys he had collided with.
Before he could utter a word, one LG the boys pushed him hard on the chest, which made Abbey fall hard to the ground, and the bottle of beer, fell from his hand broke into pieces.
Passerby only walked as fast as their legs could carry them, they knew these boys to be notorious and their brawl always come out bloody. Everyone began closing their shops, they know how their police officers react to cases like this, anybody in the area, after any issue, was a scape goat, involved or not.
Abbey stood to his feet, with the aid of a dustbin beside him.
"Please everyone should go" Abbey said and wriggled his mouth and used his hands to imitate his words.
The boys five in numbers, all laughed at Abbey and was even glad they had seen someone to make an example, to people who still see them as just ordinary gang members.
One of the boys attempted a blow at Abbey's face, which Abbey dodged by tilting his head around.
"You dey form abi? " one shouted and grabbed a stick from the ground and swayed it at Abbey.
Abbey quickly placed his arm up, using it guide his head, as the stick strikes him. He staggered backward and supported himself against an electric pole, the one with the stick, attempted another strike, and with ease Abbey grabbed ghetto stick from him and smacked it know his head. Abbey walked towards the boy and slammed his face against the electric pole, he bent down dodging the blow that came at him, grabbed the arm and twisted in backward, and with force, Abbey pulled the arm up and broke it, revealing the bones.
The boy shouted in agony, as Abbey pushed him to the ground, another boy brought out a knife from his back pocket and made to drive it into Abbey's stomach, but seemed to slow, as Abbey moved his body aside and used his elbow the hit on the boys head, and at the same time, grabbed the boy's hand, and knocked off the knife from his hand, and forcefully pulled the wrist, breaking it.
The police siren, began blaring from distance and quickly the remaining boys took to their heels, leaving their injured member to their fate.
The police van got nearer and two police officers jumped down the Hilux van, and ran up to Abbey, while another checked on the boys and helped them into the van, while Abbey was handcuffed and bundled into the backseat of the van.
Chapter Two
Toyin retrieved a stick of cigarette from the pack and placed it in his mouth and placed a lighter at the tip and light up the cigarette, he inhaled deeply and puffed out smoke from his mouth, and made himself comfortable on his office chair.
The door to his office opened, then a man walked in, wearing a yellow shirt and jean trousers, and holding a file in his hands.
"Toyin" the man called out and slammed the file on the table.
"Capacity sir" Toyin said and puffed into the air, then adjusted himself on the chair "What's up? "
"I already checked that guys profile, and you will find it really interesting"
Toyin sat well, and pulled the file to himself and opened it.
"Abiodun Wasiru, ex army commando, handles 56 different guns perfectly, father of three, argh " Toyin said and stood up.
The cell door, where Abbey was held, opened and Toyin walked in followed by Babs his partner. Toyin switched on the bulb, and saw Abbey sitting on the floor, positioning himself in the right corner of the cell.
"You can go" Toyin said and stepped away from the door.
Abbey stood up to his feet and headed towards the door.
"What happened to you, I read your files, but I know something is missing" Toyin said, as Abbey got to the door.
Abbey halted, and for a while, he was motionless, he clicked his tongue and walked out of the cell.
"Oga Abbey" Uche shouted on seeing him.
Uche pulled the box, where Abbey's belt was kept from the counter, and brought out the belt.
"Hope say dis people dem, no injure you?" Uche asked, referring to the police and smirked at the one who attended to him at the counter.
"I dey alright" Abbey replied and followed Uche outside, and they both entered into Uche's pickup van.
Abbey woke up in the dead of the night, and staggered out of bed, hitting his leg against a bottle of liquor, he groaned and walked to the the standing mirror that was positioned on the wall beside his bed.
Sleeping in his own house has become a night mare for him. He opened the drawer, which the mirror was placed on and retrieved a pistol from it, he took a careful look and the pistol, and inserted the cartridge into the and cocked the gun.
Next, he brought out a black hood shirt from the drawer and wore it on himself, he bent down and laced his boot, and tucked the gun at his back and tight a black handkerchief around his face, allowing it to cover his nose down, and placed the hood over his head.
"We just up Waziri won't be here again? "
A man said having a cigar to his mouth, as he opened the brief case with him and smiled at the content, before alighting his SUV.
A car drove into the alley, and parked beside the SUV in a close range, and from the back alighted three huge men, each having an Ak47 rifle with them, one of them ran to the front passenger door and opened it.
A man alighted the car, dressed in white suit, and matching it also with a white shoe, his body stature, could easily portray his affluence, with his neck missing within the fleas of his head and shoulder.
He had both hands in his pocket, walking in the middle of his body guards.
From the other car also alighted two fairly built men, with a briefcase. Covering a reasonable distance, the one with the briefcase opened it, showing the white content in it
Something, probably someone moved with swiftness, leaning on the wall of the building, the opening space which was the meeting point of both dealers.
"It's the real stuff"
One said as both parties exchanged briefcases.
The figure brought out his gun from his back and aimed at the the man with the suit, making sure the target was locked, the trigger was pulled.
Within that split seconds, one of the body guard, unknowing stood in front his boss, and immediately dropped to the ground, as the bullet pierced his forehead.
The noise of the gun and the dead bodyguard alerted everyone, and quickly the boss was rushed into the jeep.
"Waziri is here" someone from the other party shouted and ran into the car, and ignited it, and pulled the gear, immediately his partner got in.
Waziri came out of hiding, giving percent aim at his target.
Bang! Bang! His gun gave the sound, as fire sparked out from the barrel of his pistol. In response, the body guards also opened fire.
Waziri dived behind a iron barrel, and waited for the right chance, knowing they were out of bullets, he raised his gun above the iron barrel and shot bringing down two other body guards.
"Get me out of here" the boss shouted to the driver, who obeyed instantly, putting the car in reverse, and expertly turning the steering around, making the car, screech as it turned around into the tarred road.
Waziri ran after the jeep, and positioned the gun before his eyes and squinted, he took a deep breath and pulled the trigger.
The car swayed right out of the road, and tumbled to its side, stopping abruptly, as it collided with a container shop.
The second car, drove roughly also into the highway, Waziri took another aim and pulled the trigger.
Click! Nothing came out of the gun, before he could reach to bring another cartridge, the car was already out of sight.
Chapter Three
Toyin lifted the police tape, that was used to create a boundary, for passerby and newscasters alike. He removed his cigarette from his mouth and bent down beside a body and examined it closely, he stood up again and looked at where the car crashed.
"This Waziri guy, is just becoming a problem, killing a top profile citizen" Toyin and and sighed.
"Sir" a young lady called out to him, having a plastic transparent bag with bullets in it.
"Just coming from the lab, and we might have a lead" the girl said and squinted her eyes, for a while she focused on Babs who was busy, giving speech to the media crew.
"Hint me" Toyin said, bringing back her attention.
"Yes, boss, the bullets are same as others, still Waziri, so I made a call, which made another call, till a call got to the army barrack and back again, this bullets are military grade, meaning Waziri is probably someone from the military " the girl concluded.
Toyin flashed back to the injuries Abbey inflicted on the gang boys, the day he was arrested, only a military could use such tactics.
Toyin gave the girl thumbs up and ran towards his car, he ignited it and drove it beside Babs, and beckoned on him to get in.
"We know who Waziri is" Toyin said, and blared the horn loudly.
"Who? "
"The ex commando guy, Abiodun Wasiru, everything leads back to him, hit me up with his last known address".
Toyin brought out his gun and knocked on the door, which opened slightly as the knock came at it. He pointed his gun forward and used his free hand to slowly open the door, while Babs was on the lookout.
They both heard a loud snore, from inside the room and Toyin opened the door fully and walked in.
They both saw Abbey, laying on the only three seated in his one room apartment, with a liquor bottle beside him. Toyin returned back his gun and nodded to Babs and they began searching Abbey's room for any evidence they could get, after minutes of searching without getting anything, they gave up and walked out of the room.
Abbey opened his eyes, when he was sure they were gone and hit is hand on the liquor bottle.
"My instinct tells me, he is the one " Toyin said, as he puffed cigarette smoke out from his mouth.
"Cause his name is Wasiru doesn't mean he is Waziri, and I know you might be thinking of the military grade pistol, well, you know even the least people we expect are having thier hands on military weapon" Babs said as they walked into the station.
Abbey sat upright, with a family picture in his hands, him, his wife and three children, he sighed loudly and tears involuntarily dropped from his eyes.
His children were helpless, his wife was also hopeless.
Abiodun had just returned from a peace making mission, from the northern part of the country, when he got a message on his phone, it was a video, which he still doesn't understand what it meant till present.
Another one came again, showing the live video of his wife and children, fully concentrated on the television, and what he saw next was a bomb blast.
Abbey clinched tight to his head, as he remembered the horrible video and images of the unrecognized body of his family, totally burnt to ash.
He brought out his phone and played the video again, hoping to get meaningful content from it, he knew the video was related to the death of his family.
The video, showed someone hanging, both hands tied firmly, and his head covered with black cloth.
A soldier came forward with a knife in his hand and stabbed the person on the stomach, and a loud background cheer took over.
The way the video was recorded was without calmness, like a dog work, and next thing, everything went blank.
Abbey wiped off the tears and wore a red top, and walked out of the room.
Chapter Four
Abbey, staggered the way to his door, already dead in the night, hitting his leg against a hard object.
"Aish, light we no get, everything just anyhow" Abbey cursed, and placed his hand on the door knob, and inserted the key in the key hole.
He stop, before turning the key hole the second time and removed his hand from the knob, and moved his hand to the back of his cloth, and mumbled, knowing his gun wasn't with him.
He placed his ear on the door, and moved back, he sighed and with force he jammed his leg against the door, sending it off it's frame.
In the dark, Abbey swiftly grabbed someone's hand, and knocked off the gun from the person hand and used his elbow to smack it's face.
"Aissshh, dude" the person grunted, and walked towards the window, and lifted the blind, allowing moonlight to come in.
"Timi" Abbey called out, and walked forward.
"Am glad you still have that deal in you ".
Abbey scoffed and walked towards the fridge and brought out two liquor bottle and handed one over to Timi.
"The government wants you back, temporarily " Timi said, and leaned on the window.
"No, they want me to do their dirty work, you know I was laid off, dishonored, for speaking for my squad" Abbey said and gulped down his liquor.
He dropped himself into the chair, and laid on it, with the bottle beside him.
"There is a video going round" Timi said and brought out his phone, and played the video, and increased the volume, so Abbey could hear the audio.
"Good, I also received that video, same day my family died" Abbey replied slowly.
Timi heaved and drank from his bottle.
"There is deeper meaning to it, we belief, there is a spy among us, the person who recorded this video is dead, so he or her sent it to you first, before it got circulated"
Abbey groaned and turned around on the chair.
"Whatever meaning it has, I am done with the army, no need to state the briefing, I won't come in"
"It's a lead on why your family was killed, a name General Mustapha Mosato "
Abbey jumped from the chair, knowing the name sounds familiar
"Why does that name sounds familiar?"
Timi nodded his head and clicked his tongue
"What have you been busy with, liquor?, the name is from the video, listen well to the background noise"
Abbey held tight to his head, and heaved.
"Am in"
Abbey followed behind Timi, nothing had really changed in the barrack, everything was still as it was six years ago, when Abbey was dismissed, except for the new faces.
Timi halted as some troop ran by, following the leader, with their guns in their grip.
"Do you still remember this morning drill? " Timi asked, referring to the troop that jogged by.
"You were just lucky to always win" Abbey replied.
Approaching a widely spread tent, the soldiers who guarded the door, saluted Timi, as he entered into the tent.
"That's what I'm telling you, this Waziri vigilante guy has ruined my business in just two days, how do you expect me to cope in three months time? "
Abbey looked with curiosity, to know who was being threatened by his other side.
"Captain" Timi said, getting the attention of the man that spoke, and also that of his boss.
"Haa, Sergeant, you brought him"
Captain Bill, as he was popularly known, was part of the few who stood in defense for Abbey, when he was tried and brought before the military disciplinary committe, although then, there was little he could do.
"Captain " Abbey greeted, bowing his head a bit.
Captain Bill, rised from his seat and adjusted his cloth.
"Senator, we will find solution to it, you can pay little cash to get more men, you know what I mean" Captain Bill said, with a smile on his face.
"I understand, just be quick about it" the senator said and took his leave.
"This Waziri of a guy, is becoming bad for business" Captain bill said arranging the files before him, and when he was done, he looked up and smiled at Abbey.
"Alright, let's get down to business, Abbey, you are the only one capable I could think of, sit, Sergeant, I'll handle it from here"
After Timi was gone, Abbey sat down on the chair, before the table and made himself comfortable, and also Captain Bill also too his seat.
"Alright, the mission is to infiltrate and rescue, and I know that's your speciality, it's also a favour from the government " Captain Bill said and waited for Abbey to reply.
"Who are they? "
"General Mosato's family"
Abbey squinted his eyes, and recalled that was the name Timi gave him as the only lead to the video.
"Alright Sir, when you are ready"
"Good, that's why you're my man, I know you are a one man thing, but here you are going with a team"
*
*
Abbey brought out his phone from his pocket and clicked on the gallery, then played the video, this time willing to watch it closely.
He adjusted himself on his bed, as the video played, for the first time, he saw a torn batch on the ground, close to the leg of the man who was hanged, he zoomed it in and got a clear view of the symbol.
Chapter Five
Toyin placed a knock on Abbey's door, being gentle about it, after minutes or knocking, he decided to check at the bar, where Abbey was wet known with.
Toyin parked his car in front of the bar, alighted and walked in, entering into the bar, he kit a cigarette stick and placed it in his mouth, then puffed out smoke, before approaching the bar.
"Morning Sir, you can seat on a vacant seat, while you place your orders " a fair girl, said to Toyin, smoking brightly.
"Thanks for the hospitality, am here to see Uche" Abbey said showed the girl his batch.
Uche raised his head up, from where he relaxed himself and spoke.
"Police and trouble, what do you want again? "
Abbey looked sideways, where the voice came from and faked a smile, and walked towards Uche.
*
*
"Alright Soldiers, here is the drop point" the man who piloted the military jet shouted.
Abbey opened his eyes, shut them and opened them again, he heaved and grabbed his bag.
Sitting opposite him, were three recruit, from what he could observe, they were inexperienced.
The door of the plane, came open, with Abbey, taking the lead, he stood by the door, like old times, feeling the rush of wind, he looked back and nodded his head before jumping out of the plane.
*
*
Abbey removed the parachute from himself, and also, others did the same. He opened his bag, and brought out two pistols from it, inserted them in the gun sheath on both sides of his legs, and then a knife, which he held in his right hand and a rifle on the other.
"How close are we? " Abbey asked the one with the map.
The boy looked closely at the map, with him, and carefully studied it.
"Forward, about thirty minutes trek" The boy replied and folded the map, and dipped it in his pocket.
"Watch out, and be careful, we are in the territory" Abbey said and crossed over a fallen tree, threading with caution.
The tall trees, formed a canopy above them, shielding them from the terrible northern sun, apart from the dead leaves and branches that made little noise as they stepped on it, the forest was really silent.
Abbey noticed a presence some meters before them, and leaned behind a tree, and others did same also. He sighed and held tight to his knife, while the rifle was fully supported above the hand the held the knife.
A man walked out from a part of the forest, his Ak47 rifle hanging on his back, he was fully concentrated knotting his trouser.
Abbey raised his dagger up, and held it at the sharp tip, he closed his eyes and with swift reflex, he threw the dagger at his target.
The man fell to the ground, already dead, Abbey ran up to the body, and placed a finger on the neck, before pulling out his dagger from the neck and wiped off the blood stain from dagger, with the man's cloth.
Proceeding forward with caution, Abbey handed his gun at his back and held tight to his knife, from where they stood they could hear, voices from where they stood, although the voices were clear and audible, they still could not understand what they were saying.
Abbey raised his right hand up and pointed a finger to the left, and then two other fingers to the left.
Two of the soldiers with him, moved swiftly to the left, their gun, locked and loaded and the last person moved to the right, leaving Abbey alone handling the middle.
Abbey waited for the perfect moment, counting his oppositions, they were eight in number, with just only two holding their gun, while the rest got themselves busy, with games and chat.
Abbey rolled out from his hideout and threw his knife at the Armed one on his right, before the other could lift his gun, Abbey gave him a headset with his pistol.
Getting them unaware, the two who moved to the left, fired rapidly at two of thier opposition, before they could reach for their guns.
Abbey shot at one, while the soldier from the right pulled down last. Abbey entered into the tent close to him, and cane out again, and also at the same moment, others also cane out from other tents.
"Nobody is here" The girl among them said, looking at Abbey.
"The mission was clear infiltrate and save" Abbey muttered and pulled out his knife from the dead body on the ground.
"It's a trap " One said and signalled them to listen to the sound of the aircraft approaching.
A blast came from the forest before them, shaking the ground.
Abbey looked at the soldiers with him, and all of them took their heels, as fast as their legs could carry them.
*
*
Toyin stood up to take his leave and dropped a thousand naira on the table, and passed it towards Uche.
"If I eventually discover, and get him red handed that he is Waziri, you'll be spending your jail term in his assigned toilet"
Uche smirked and picked the money from the table and stood up also.
"If I know who Waziri is, I will gladly sponsor his campaign " Uche replied and smiled.
"Nice talking threat with you, makes me feel better" Uche shouted as went out of his bar
Chapter 6
Abbey gasped for air, as he brought his it his head from under the water, swimming to dry land, he crawled out weakly and remained still on the ground, breathing heavily.
He looked to his right and saw the soldiers assigned to him breathing heavily and at the same time gasping for air.
"Afterall there was no one to rescue, they led us right to our death and we followed foolishly" The girl among them said, still breathing hard.
Abbey reached for his pocket and brought out his mobile phone, which was already drenched and stood do his feet.
Many thought run through his mind, why would he be wanted dead after even many years of leaving the army behind ,how does Mosato fits into the riddle, the video, his friend, all he needed was to fit things together but it was like every time he tried, there was always a gridlock.
"Sir, where are you headed?" a soldier asked and ran after him.
"Everyman for himself, there is a village ahead, am going back to the city from there" Abbey replied without looking back at them.
*
*
Toyin looked at the file before him and shaked his head at what he saw, he knew if things like this should continue then his job was at stake and it would be obvious he wasn't doing as expected.
"Babs" Toyin said and turned the file towards his partner.
"How do we tell the Press, the Media, that in two weeks nobody heard from Waziri, crime rate had increase from 15% to 40% and it's still increasing " Toyin asked and was hoping Babs would have something to say.
"It's a tight spot" Babes replied, scratching his head slowly.
"We can't hide the face forever, we need Waziri" Babs said with his eyes widely opened.
"What if he his dead? "
*
*
Abbey jumped down from the truck, which conveyed cows, getting to his destination, he quickly ran off the highway and stopped a cab.
"St. Greens " He said and entered into the cab, sitting closer to the door, since two people already were seated before him.
Many thought ran through Abbey's mind, why would the army want him dead, who was Mosato, why would Timi also think of luring him to death, but all he knew was that he had three people on his watch list, Captain Bill, Mosato, and Timi, hoping to get the right connections.
Chapter 7
"It's Waziri again, this guy is getting on my nerves, don't spare him this time" the boss shouted angrily.
Waziri, known by both old and young, far and wide, was a dreadful name especially to Drug Lords, Criminals, Terrorist, Armed robbers, criminals, kidnappers and all evil doers.
As much as the NPF loved him doing their jobs, he was still wanted on the criminal list, for killing and taking law to his hands, against criminals.
A baton rolled out in the air, from a corner among the building and hit one on the face, which sent him unconscious to the ground.
The dark figure, blending perfectly with the night, it launched a blow at another and immediately disappeared again.
Chapter One
"……..And now on local news, the popular vigilante, better known has Waziri, has once again, laid waste to the dreadful Almanad Gangs, known for their vicious deals in drugs and trafficking, speaking on this issue the IG of the NPF has gone against his act of meting out justice, which is against the act of the constitution............. "
The newscaster said from the plasma television which hanged on the wall of the bar, serving as entertainment to customers.
"Two more b..ooott...les please" A man who seemed to be dead drunk said and staggered up to the barman, who was pleased his customer asked for more.
"Oga Abbey, you Neva pay for yesterday money o" the pot bellied attendant said, and pulled out two filled bottle of beer from the crate beside him.
"Uche, I go pay, first serve me" Abbey replied and held one bottle under his armpit and struggled to get the next one open.
Uche only made a funny face and focused on the news.
"They for just allow this guy do im job o, as dem police dey fear to fight thug" Uche said, passing comment only to himself.
Uche was a successful bar man, he owned his own business, which was a full time alcohol seller, and that had seen him through lot of profit. His bar, was a classic one, with chairs neatly arranged round a table, and having about twenty of it in his bar, he also had those who worked for him, about four of them, all girls.
The bar attendant post, directly faced the entrance of the building, while the television was inches aside from the reception stand.
Abbey staggered to his seat and placed a bottle in his mouth, gulping down the content, and bealched out loudly, which got other customers complaining.
After being through with the first bottle, Abbey, gently laid it on the ground, and stood up, with the second beer bottle and staggered out of the bar.
As Abbey opened the door and got out of the bar, he collided with a group of boys, and vomited on someone's trouser.
"Am sor….rrry" Abbey said and began to stagger away.
"Sky, sky, una dey look me, see as this guy baff me na" The one from whom Abbey vomited on shouted in annoyance.
Abbey ignored the words and continued to walk on, soliloquising to himself, and constantly supporting himself with close objects.
Someone tapped him from behind, Abbey let out a hiccup from his mouth and turned around, facing the group of boys he had collided with.
Before he could utter a word, one LG the boys pushed him hard on the chest, which made Abbey fall hard to the ground, and the bottle of beer, fell from his hand broke into pieces.
Passerby only walked as fast as their legs could carry them, they knew these boys to be notorious and their brawl always come out bloody. Everyone began closing their shops, they know how their police officers react to cases like this, anybody in the area, after any issue, was a scape goat, involved or not.
Abbey stood to his feet, with the aid of a dustbin beside him.
"Please everyone should go" Abbey said and wriggled his mouth and used his hands to imitate his words.
The boys five in numbers, all laughed at Abbey and was even glad they had seen someone to make an example, to people who still see them as just ordinary gang members.
One of the boys attempted a blow at Abbey's face, which Abbey dodged by tilting his head around.
"You dey form abi? " one shouted and grabbed a stick from the ground and swayed it at Abbey.
Abbey quickly placed his arm up, using it guide his head, as the stick strikes him. He staggered backward and supported himself against an electric pole, the one with the stick, attempted another strike, and with ease Abbey grabbed ghetto stick from him and smacked it know his head. Abbey walked towards the boy and slammed his face against the electric pole, he bent down dodging the blow that came at him, grabbed the arm and twisted in backward, and with force, Abbey pulled the arm up and broke it, revealing the bones.
The boy shouted in agony, as Abbey pushed him to the ground, another boy brought out a knife from his back pocket and made to drive it into Abbey's stomach, but seemed to slow, as Abbey moved his body aside and used his elbow the hit on the boys head, and at the same time, grabbed the boy's hand, and knocked off the knife from his hand, and forcefully pulled the wrist, breaking it.
The police siren, began blaring from distance and quickly the remaining boys took to their heels, leaving their injured member to their fate.
The police van got nearer and two police officers jumped down the Hilux van, and ran up to Abbey, while another checked on the boys and helped them into the van, while Abbey was handcuffed and bundled into the backseat of the van.
Chapter Two
Toyin retrieved a stick of cigarette from the pack and placed it in his mouth and placed a lighter at the tip and light up the cigarette, he inhaled deeply and puffed out smoke from his mouth, and made himself comfortable on his office chair.
The door to his office opened, then a man walked in, wearing a yellow shirt and jean trousers, and holding a file in his hands.
"Toyin" the man called out and slammed the file on the table.
"Capacity sir" Toyin said and puffed into the air, then adjusted himself on the chair "What's up? "
"I already checked that guys profile, and you will find it really interesting"
Toyin sat well, and pulled the file to himself and opened it.
"Abiodun Wasiru, ex army commando, handles 56 different guns perfectly, father of three, argh " Toyin said and stood up.
The cell door, where Abbey was held, opened and Toyin walked in followed by Babs his partner. Toyin switched on the bulb, and saw Abbey sitting on the floor, positioning himself in the right corner of the cell.
"You can go" Toyin said and stepped away from the door.
Abbey stood up to his feet and headed towards the door.
"What happened to you, I read your files, but I know something is missing" Toyin said, as Abbey got to the door.
Abbey halted, and for a while, he was motionless, he clicked his tongue and walked out of the cell.
"Oga Abbey" Uche shouted on seeing him.
Uche pulled the box, where Abbey's belt was kept from the counter, and brought out the belt.
"Hope say dis people dem, no injure you?" Uche asked, referring to the police and smirked at the one who attended to him at the counter.
"I dey alright" Abbey replied and followed Uche outside, and they both entered into Uche's pickup van.
Abbey woke up in the dead of the night, and staggered out of bed, hitting his leg against a bottle of liquor, he groaned and walked to the the standing mirror that was positioned on the wall beside his bed.
Sleeping in his own house has become a night mare for him. He opened the drawer, which the mirror was placed on and retrieved a pistol from it, he took a careful look and the pistol, and inserted the cartridge into the and cocked the gun.
Next, he brought out a black hood shirt from the drawer and wore it on himself, he bent down and laced his boot, and tucked the gun at his back and tight a black handkerchief around his face, allowing it to cover his nose down, and placed the hood over his head.
"We just up Waziri won't be here again? "
A man said having a cigar to his mouth, as he opened the brief case with him and smiled at the content, before alighting his SUV.
A car drove into the alley, and parked beside the SUV in a close range, and from the back alighted three huge men, each having an Ak47 rifle with them, one of them ran to the front passenger door and opened it.
A man alighted the car, dressed in white suit, and matching it also with a white shoe, his body stature, could easily portray his affluence, with his neck missing within the fleas of his head and shoulder.
He had both hands in his pocket, walking in the middle of his body guards.
From the other car also alighted two fairly built men, with a briefcase. Covering a reasonable distance, the one with the briefcase opened it, showing the white content in it
Something, probably someone moved with swiftness, leaning on the wall of the building, the opening space which was the meeting point of both dealers.
"It's the real stuff"
One said as both parties exchanged briefcases.
The figure brought out his gun from his back and aimed at the the man with the suit, making sure the target was locked, the trigger was pulled.
Within that split seconds, one of the body guard, unknowing stood in front his boss, and immediately dropped to the ground, as the bullet pierced his forehead.
The noise of the gun and the dead bodyguard alerted everyone, and quickly the boss was rushed into the jeep.
"Waziri is here" someone from the other party shouted and ran into the car, and ignited it, and pulled the gear, immediately his partner got in.
Waziri came out of hiding, giving percent aim at his target.
Bang! Bang! His gun gave the sound, as fire sparked out from the barrel of his pistol. In response, the body guards also opened fire.
Waziri dived behind a iron barrel, and waited for the right chance, knowing they were out of bullets, he raised his gun above the iron barrel and shot bringing down two other body guards.
"Get me out of here" the boss shouted to the driver, who obeyed instantly, putting the car in reverse, and expertly turning the steering around, making the car, screech as it turned around into the tarred road.
Waziri ran after the jeep, and positioned the gun before his eyes and squinted, he took a deep breath and pulled the trigger.
The car swayed right out of the road, and tumbled to its side, stopping abruptly, as it collided with a container shop.
The second car, drove roughly also into the highway, Waziri took another aim and pulled the trigger.
Click! Nothing came out of the gun, before he could reach to bring another cartridge, the car was already out of sight.
Chapter Three
Toyin lifted the police tape, that was used to create a boundary, for passerby and newscasters alike. He removed his cigarette from his mouth and bent down beside a body and examined it closely, he stood up again and looked at where the car crashed.
"This Waziri guy, is just becoming a problem, killing a top profile citizen" Toyin and and sighed.
"Sir" a young lady called out to him, having a plastic transparent bag with bullets in it.
"Just coming from the lab, and we might have a lead" the girl said and squinted her eyes, for a while she focused on Babs who was busy, giving speech to the media crew.
"Hint me" Toyin said, bringing back her attention.
"Yes, boss, the bullets are same as others, still Waziri, so I made a call, which made another call, till a call got to the army barrack and back again, this bullets are military grade, meaning Waziri is probably someone from the military " the girl concluded.
Toyin flashed back to the injuries Abbey inflicted on the gang boys, the day he was arrested, only a military could use such tactics.
Toyin gave the girl thumbs up and ran towards his car, he ignited it and drove it beside Babs, and beckoned on him to get in.
"We know who Waziri is" Toyin said, and blared the horn loudly.
"Who? "
"The ex commando guy, Abiodun Wasiru, everything leads back to him, hit me up with his last known address".
Toyin brought out his gun and knocked on the door, which opened slightly as the knock came at it. He pointed his gun forward and used his free hand to slowly open the door, while Babs was on the lookout.
They both heard a loud snore, from inside the room and Toyin opened the door fully and walked in.
They both saw Abbey, laying on the only three seated in his one room apartment, with a liquor bottle beside him. Toyin returned back his gun and nodded to Babs and they began searching Abbey's room for any evidence they could get, after minutes of searching without getting anything, they gave up and walked out of the room.
Abbey opened his eyes, when he was sure they were gone and hit is hand on the liquor bottle.
"My instinct tells me, he is the one " Toyin said, as he puffed cigarette smoke out from his mouth.
"Cause his name is Wasiru doesn't mean he is Waziri, and I know you might be thinking of the military grade pistol, well, you know even the least people we expect are having thier hands on military weapon" Babs said as they walked into the station.
Abbey sat upright, with a family picture in his hands, him, his wife and three children, he sighed loudly and tears involuntarily dropped from his eyes.
His children were helpless, his wife was also hopeless.
Abiodun had just returned from a peace making mission, from the northern part of the country, when he got a message on his phone, it was a video, which he still doesn't understand what it meant till present.
Another one came again, showing the live video of his wife and children, fully concentrated on the television, and what he saw next was a bomb blast.
Abbey clinched tight to his head, as he remembered the horrible video and images of the unrecognized body of his family, totally burnt to ash.
He brought out his phone and played the video again, hoping to get meaningful content from it, he knew the video was related to the death of his family.
The video, showed someone hanging, both hands tied firmly, and his head covered with black cloth.
A soldier came forward with a knife in his hand and stabbed the person on the stomach, and a loud background cheer took over.
The way the video was recorded was without calmness, like a dog work, and next thing, everything went blank.
Abbey wiped off the tears and wore a red top, and walked out of the room.
Chapter Four
Abbey, staggered the way to his door, already dead in the night, hitting his leg against a hard object.
"Aish, light we no get, everything just anyhow" Abbey cursed, and placed his hand on the door knob, and inserted the key in the key hole.
He stop, before turning the key hole the second time and removed his hand from the knob, and moved his hand to the back of his cloth, and mumbled, knowing his gun wasn't with him.
He placed his ear on the door, and moved back, he sighed and with force he jammed his leg against the door, sending it off it's frame.
In the dark, Abbey swiftly grabbed someone's hand, and knocked off the gun from the person hand and used his elbow to smack it's face.
"Aissshh, dude" the person grunted, and walked towards the window, and lifted the blind, allowing moonlight to come in.
"Timi" Abbey called out, and walked forward.
"Am glad you still have that deal in you ".
Abbey scoffed and walked towards the fridge and brought out two liquor bottle and handed one over to Timi.
"The government wants you back, temporarily " Timi said, and leaned on the window.
"No, they want me to do their dirty work, you know I was laid off, dishonored, for speaking for my squad" Abbey said and gulped down his liquor.
He dropped himself into the chair, and laid on it, with the bottle beside him.
"There is a video going round" Timi said and brought out his phone, and played the video, and increased the volume, so Abbey could hear the audio.
"Good, I also received that video, same day my family died" Abbey replied slowly.
Timi heaved and drank from his bottle.
"There is deeper meaning to it, we belief, there is a spy among us, the person who recorded this video is dead, so he or her sent it to you first, before it got circulated"
Abbey groaned and turned around on the chair.
"Whatever meaning it has, I am done with the army, no need to state the briefing, I won't come in"
"It's a lead on why your family was killed, a name General Mustapha Mosato "
Abbey jumped from the chair, knowing the name sounds familiar
"Why does that name sounds familiar?"
Timi nodded his head and clicked his tongue
"What have you been busy with, liquor?, the name is from the video, listen well to the background noise"
Abbey held tight to his head, and heaved.
"Am in"
Abbey followed behind Timi, nothing had really changed in the barrack, everything was still as it was six years ago, when Abbey was dismissed, except for the new faces.
Timi halted as some troop ran by, following the leader, with their guns in their grip.
"Do you still remember this morning drill? " Timi asked, referring to the troop that jogged by.
"You were just lucky to always win" Abbey replied.
Approaching a widely spread tent, the soldiers who guarded the door, saluted Timi, as he entered into the tent.
"That's what I'm telling you, this Waziri vigilante guy has ruined my business in just two days, how do you expect me to cope in three months time? "
Abbey looked with curiosity, to know who was being threatened by his other side.
"Captain" Timi said, getting the attention of the man that spoke, and also that of his boss.
"Haa, Sergeant, you brought him"
Captain Bill, as he was popularly known, was part of the few who stood in defense for Abbey, when he was tried and brought before the military disciplinary committe, although then, there was little he could do.
"Captain " Abbey greeted, bowing his head a bit.
Captain Bill, rised from his seat and adjusted his cloth.
"Senator, we will find solution to it, you can pay little cash to get more men, you know what I mean" Captain Bill said, with a smile on his face.
"I understand, just be quick about it" the senator said and took his leave.
"This Waziri of a guy, is becoming bad for business" Captain bill said arranging the files before him, and when he was done, he looked up and smiled at Abbey.
"Alright, let's get down to business, Abbey, you are the only one capable I could think of, sit, Sergeant, I'll handle it from here"
After Timi was gone, Abbey sat down on the chair, before the table and made himself comfortable, and also Captain Bill also too his seat.
"Alright, the mission is to infiltrate and rescue, and I know that's your speciality, it's also a favour from the government " Captain Bill said and waited for Abbey to reply.
"Who are they? "
"General Mosato's family"
Abbey squinted his eyes, and recalled that was the name Timi gave him as the only lead to the video.
"Alright Sir, when you are ready"
"Good, that's why you're my man, I know you are a one man thing, but here you are going with a team"
*
*
Abbey brought out his phone from his pocket and clicked on the gallery, then played the video, this time willing to watch it closely.
He adjusted himself on his bed, as the video played, for the first time, he saw a torn batch on the ground, close to the leg of the man who was hanged, he zoomed it in and got a clear view of the symbol.
Chapter Five
Toyin placed a knock on Abbey's door, being gentle about it, after minutes or knocking, he decided to check at the bar, where Abbey was wet known with.
Toyin parked his car in front of the bar, alighted and walked in, entering into the bar, he kit a cigarette stick and placed it in his mouth, then puffed out smoke, before approaching the bar.
"Morning Sir, you can seat on a vacant seat, while you place your orders " a fair girl, said to Toyin, smoking brightly.
"Thanks for the hospitality, am here to see Uche" Abbey said showed the girl his batch.
Uche raised his head up, from where he relaxed himself and spoke.
"Police and trouble, what do you want again? "
Abbey looked sideways, where the voice came from and faked a smile, and walked towards Uche.
*
*
"Alright Soldiers, here is the drop point" the man who piloted the military jet shouted.
Abbey opened his eyes, shut them and opened them again, he heaved and grabbed his bag.
Sitting opposite him, were three recruit, from what he could observe, they were inexperienced.
The door of the plane, came open, with Abbey, taking the lead, he stood by the door, like old times, feeling the rush of wind, he looked back and nodded his head before jumping out of the plane.
*
*
Abbey removed the parachute from himself, and also, others did the same. He opened his bag, and brought out two pistols from it, inserted them in the gun sheath on both sides of his legs, and then a knife, which he held in his right hand and a rifle on the other.
"How close are we? " Abbey asked the one with the map.
The boy looked closely at the map, with him, and carefully studied it.
"Forward, about thirty minutes trek" The boy replied and folded the map, and dipped it in his pocket.
"Watch out, and be careful, we are in the territory" Abbey said and crossed over a fallen tree, threading with caution.
The tall trees, formed a canopy above them, shielding them from the terrible northern sun, apart from the dead leaves and branches that made little noise as they stepped on it, the forest was really silent.
Abbey noticed a presence some meters before them, and leaned behind a tree, and others did same also. He sighed and held tight to his knife, while the rifle was fully supported above the hand the held the knife.
A man walked out from a part of the forest, his Ak47 rifle hanging on his back, he was fully concentrated knotting his trouser.
Abbey raised his dagger up, and held it at the sharp tip, he closed his eyes and with swift reflex, he threw the dagger at his target.
The man fell to the ground, already dead, Abbey ran up to the body, and placed a finger on the neck, before pulling out his dagger from the neck and wiped off the blood stain from dagger, with the man's cloth.
Proceeding forward with caution, Abbey handed his gun at his back and held tight to his knife, from where they stood they could hear, voices from where they stood, although the voices were clear and audible, they still could not understand what they were saying.
Abbey raised his right hand up and pointed a finger to the left, and then two other fingers to the left.
Two of the soldiers with him, moved swiftly to the left, their gun, locked and loaded and the last person moved to the right, leaving Abbey alone handling the middle.
Abbey waited for the perfect moment, counting his oppositions, they were eight in number, with just only two holding their gun, while the rest got themselves busy, with games and chat.
Abbey rolled out from his hideout and threw his knife at the Armed one on his right, before the other could lift his gun, Abbey gave him a headset with his pistol.
Getting them unaware, the two who moved to the left, fired rapidly at two of thier opposition, before they could reach for their guns.
Abbey shot at one, while the soldier from the right pulled down last. Abbey entered into the tent close to him, and cane out again, and also at the same moment, others also cane out from other tents.
"Nobody is here" The girl among them said, looking at Abbey.
"The mission was clear infiltrate and save" Abbey muttered and pulled out his knife from the dead body on the ground.
"It's a trap " One said and signalled them to listen to the sound of the aircraft approaching.
A blast came from the forest before them, shaking the ground.
Abbey looked at the soldiers with him, and all of them took their heels, as fast as their legs could carry them.
*
*
Toyin stood up to take his leave and dropped a thousand naira on the table, and passed it towards Uche.
"If I eventually discover, and get him red handed that he is Waziri, you'll be spending your jail term in his assigned toilet"
Uche smirked and picked the money from the table and stood up also.
"If I know who Waziri is, I will gladly sponsor his campaign " Uche replied and smiled.
"Nice talking threat with you, makes me feel better" Uche shouted as went out of his bar
Chapter 6
Abbey gasped for air, as he brought his it his head from under the water, swimming to dry land, he crawled out weakly and remained still on the ground, breathing heavily.
He looked to his right and saw the soldiers assigned to him breathing heavily and at the same time gasping for air.
"Afterall there was no one to rescue, they led us right to our death and we followed foolishly" The girl among them said, still breathing hard.
Abbey reached for his pocket and brought out his mobile phone, which was already drenched and stood do his feet.
Many thought run through his mind, why would he be wanted dead after even many years of leaving the army behind ,how does Mosato fits into the riddle, the video, his friend, all he needed was to fit things together but it was like every time he tried, there was always a gridlock.
"Sir, where are you headed?" a soldier asked and ran after him.
"Everyman for himself, there is a village ahead, am going back to the city from there" Abbey replied without looking back at them.
*
*
Toyin looked at the file before him and shaked his head at what he saw, he knew if things like this should continue then his job was at stake and it would be obvious he wasn't doing as expected.
"Babs" Toyin said and turned the file towards his partner.
"How do we tell the Press, the Media, that in two weeks nobody heard from Waziri, crime rate had increase from 15% to 40% and it's still increasing " Toyin asked and was hoping Babs would have something to say.
"It's a tight spot" Babes replied, scratching his head slowly.
"We can't hide the face forever, we need Waziri" Babs said with his eyes widely opened.
"What if he his dead? "
*
*
Abbey jumped down from the truck, which conveyed cows, getting to his destination, he quickly ran off the highway and stopped a cab.
"St. Greens " He said and entered into the cab, sitting closer to the door, since two people already were seated before him.
Many thought ran through Abbey's mind, why would the army want him dead, who was Mosato, why would Timi also think of luring him to death, but all he knew was that he had three people on his watch list, Captain Bill, Mosato, and Timi, hoping to get the right connections.
Chapter 7
Bravo
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