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PROLOGUE
The central hub of the city was locked down as a result of heavy traffic congestion that marred the free flow of vehicular activity along the ever-busy Effurun Road, Warri, Delta state.
Jude was restless as he was practically held behind time by the erratic traffic situation while on his way for a special Robbery operation.The “Go-Slow” was so severe that it had paralyzed almost half the entire city. No vehicle could gain entrance into the main city, and no vehicle was seen going out. This traffic gridlock occasioned across Warri metropolis was usually pertinent; especially on a Monday morning, and little wonder this Robbery attack was slated for this day, soon to be referred to as “Black Monday!”
CHAPTER 1
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LOCATION: WARRI, DELTA STATE
7:30a.m.
Time was tickling very fast, emotions were becomming more heated. Seconds turned into minutes, and the moment was approaching gradually. Information had reached the Gang members that a particular Bullion Van would be conveying Millions of Naira to a New-generation Bank at about 8:00a.m, and their plan was to attack the Bullion Van at Gun point and cart away with the money, despite being held under tight security by the special anti-robbery squad.
For about a period two-year, the city of Warri had been plagued with several crisis emanating from a particular Gang of Robbers specialized in the act of Robbery activities of various kinds ranging from ‘Invading of residential buildings, to Car hijacking, Kidnapping, Mall attack, Breaking of shops and stealing of its goods during the Night and so on. The most striking thing about this Group was that nobody knew who they were, or where they came from, but then, they somehow manages to carry out their criminal activities successfully without any trace for the agents of social control to keep the hoodlums perpetuating the crimes behind bars.
Today, this same Gang of Robbers were about to carry out yet another most tasky attack which proved to be their hardest operation so far; especially as it was to be done during the daytime, and not business as usual. Whether they would succeed or not was yet to be known, but one thing was for sure, their lives were at stake as some members of the Gang had already been fortified spiritually with protective charms by a supposed powerful herbalist, and anyone that tried to get in their way would surely be going down, just like the Naira; and that included the Police.
Jude kept checking his wrist-watch by every flying moment, but the Road situation was yet to make any great improvement as vehicles were only able to move at a slow pace. Upon seeing that the traffic situation remained stagnant, Jude promptly excused himself out of the tricycle, popularly called “Keke-Napep” which he had boarded about thirty-minutes earlier, forgetting that he had not paid the Keke Rider his transportation fee, and just about then, his attention was called back by the Rider who quickly made out and demanded his fee while giving Jude an inquisitive stare of “You nor go pay me my money?!” look. Not having time for any drama, Jude then thrust his hand into the right pocket of his Pens trouser, and handed the Rider a neat two-hundred Naira note supposedly for a distance which he didn’t reach and bothered not to demand for his change, but not after he had given the Rider a deadly and scornful look that could pass for a thousand words before leaving the scenery and continued his journey on foot. Only but if – the Rider knew that Jude had with him a Pistol Gun, definitely, he would rather not have demanded for his money while pulling such an attitude.
Surprisingly, Jude was well- responsibly dressed, clad in a long-sleeve top and a Plain Black pens trouser, having touched the shirt into his pants, and wearing a Black-coloured designer shoe to match with. His appearance could pass him for the Manager of a reputable coy, unknown to many that he was the second-in-command of the most Dreaded Gang terrorizing the whole of Warri. All of these were an attempt to conceal his true identity, as he had always proved not just to be a Robber, but a highly intelligent one at that. indeed, he was a baggage too much to be predicted.
Despite coming from the creeks, Jude was formally a decent individual having bagged a degree in Psychology at the renowned ‘Delta State University, Abraka.’ at the age of twenty-two, until he later furthered his education at the Prestigious ‘University of Ibadan’ where he obtained a Master’s degree in Criminology at the age of thirty. Thereafter, he was thrown into the labour market without any good job to his intelligence and degrees put together, except for some few working places where he was offered peanut as salary. Hence, he decided to apply his knowledge into something more productive by becoming a professional thief.
After trekking for approximately five minutes, Jude finally made it out from the traffic congestion and into a nearby area which was a semi-dilapidated slum. Although, he had a personal car to himself, but regarding the plan for this operation, he had to arrive the scene in person, and alone from other Gang members.
Shortly afterwards, Jude received a phone call from one of the Gang members whose name was ‘Preacher.’ He became Jude’s closest rival among the circle – after he lost out in the bid to become the second-in-command of the Robbery squad – of which Jude won by popular demand. Ever since then, their friendship became held bound with a pinch of salt, as they categorically became sworn enemies but only cooperated with each other during an operation; while in reality, they both wish each one of the other was dead.
In the phone call, Preacher made it known to Jude that every other member of the Gang had converged at a spot and set to carry out the attack as soon as the Bullion Van arrives. Whereas Jude, the supposed leader of the Gang, in absence of the overall General, was no where to be found, and that he would now take over the mantle of leadership with or without the arrival of Jude; But Preacher didn’t just end there, he wanted more stressing that Jude should be ready to be overthrown by him, claiming that Jude wasn’t fit for the position he occupied, as he had failed to perform his role judiciously.
Jude then ended the call with disgust, without him uttering a single word to his partner in crime – who for some reasons had just changed his mood. He was instantly reeled with anger and contempt which was quickly evident from his facial countenance.
The battle line had been drawn. It was only a matter of time before the battle of superiority would soon clash with one of the hardest Robbery attack ever.
Indeed, This meant war!!!
…To Be Continued Tomorrow
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