AND THE HUSBAND WAS A NOTORIOUS ARMED ROBBER: TRUE STORY OF A COUPLE

[Photo credit, Google]

Ijebu North-East LGA, Ogun –Southwest, Nigeria.

The lifeless body of a man known as Mr Smart, a notorious armed robber in his days, was whisked away during mop-up exercise by detectives attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad [SARS].

The emerging report from theatre of war where security men had engaged Mr Smart along his gang men (in what was described as fire-for-fire encounter) suggested that men from the special anti-robbery squad, a subsection of criminal investigation department (Nigeria Police Force) trained for combat operations, had acted promptly on intelligence received. And moved swiftly to halt what could have otherwise been a major robbery event should it had gone ahead to be a successful outing for Mr Smart, who appeared to be in his late 30s, and his men.

The sophistication of weaponry recovered from the hiding den where the armed gang had gathered to cement the procedural plan for the scheduled crime, preshow a mission designed to inflict heavy damage on lives and properties.

"News travels fast, Bad news travels faster"... I agree!

10'O clock in the morning. On that ill-fated day, I stepped outside my home onward the tarred road where Mr Smart's residence until his eventual death was situated. The building- where Mr Smart was a tenant- has no perimeter which means from a position opposite the multifamily dwelling house one could literally, standing by roadside, see through the residence if the front door is left open.

I couldn't help but notice people in batches and groups assembled dispersedly in the compound. The open space where mourners gathered to commiserate with wife of the deceased put the building few metres away from the tarred road.

The crowd immediately called my attention. And I began to pander. In my quest to make sense of the situation- my eyes caught a section of people wailing. Amidst the group was an individual who was completely devastated by the news, pitifully though. She cried and wept profusely.

 It was an atmosphere filled with sorrow.

Not binding to any appointment on the day; neither was I crippled by a tight schedule. I had all the time in the world. By the way I wasn't ready to leave the scene, anyways, without connecting the dots.

I maintained a close distance whilst I unleashed necessary organs. A CCTV camera could not have worked smarter than my eyes that morning.

Much tensed scenery I must say. The mood wasn't nice. I'd sympathise with them. But HEY! There was a mystery I had – within me –nursed over the years. “It must be unravelled” –I said!

"Could it be the moment I have waited for?" I asked myself. Well, it turned out to be!

After all- my curiosity, investigations were all along true.

Four years ago. I saw a grown man drove-in a 'BMW3 series'...Mr Smart. He had just arrived at his destination; parked by the roadside. He majestically stepped out; central locked the car. And onward- he walked into a multifamily dwelling house (popularly known as face-me-I-face-you).

Let's paint a scenario here:

He might have gone inside the building to pay a friend, associate or mistress a visit. Isn’t it?

That might not even be a car owned by him. It could be a borrowed car; assuming he was there to "check out" an old pal or newly met girlfriend.

So, there was nothing of major interest at the time. Life goes on.

Aa’aro lo’ja.  And as the saying goes... “Mind your own business”

By the way, we had only recently moved from city-centre into a permanent residence; situated in a rural settlement. Outskirt!

My Dad is not a Politician. He couldn't have fancied an edifice in the heart of the city. Else he'd go bankrupt.  Don’t feel sorry for him –He’s a civil servant who makes a honest living, a chief nursing officer (now retired, but known for his famous response to comments regarding his retirement. "I may have retired but I am certainly not tired"). Ha Ha Ha. As Bill Cosby would say “Old is always fifteen years from now”

Fast forward >>>

Couple months down the line it thus appeared later that I would live to see ‘forever’ a dark coloured BMW car drove-in-and-out the town. The car was indeed owned by Mr Smart. A cool calm collected individual with no record of violence known to either dwellers in the region (which includes me) or at very least his immediate neighbours.

‘For someone who resides in multifamily dwelling house’; in a rural location. Whose vehicle is not something out of the world?  He’d be assured of safeness. He'd feel 'invisible'...And –to a large extent –innocent to unsuspecting public!

To understand the geo-positioning of the area: The nearest city, coincidentally where we recently emigrated from, is about 15 minutes drive. So, we sometimes rely on retail-shops [scattered across the community] for groceries and other miscellaneous.

We cherish good food in my home. Who doesn’t? blah blah… Please hold, I’m getting somewhere. Lol

As regards ingredients and recipes; we’re crazy about anything newly-out from its natural source. Fresh veggies (tomatoes etc), bush meat, live fish… You can be assured of frequent supply of those in this kind of place.

We don’t believe in stockpiling neither do we subscribe to refrigerating and microwave’s kind of life.  We’re not rich! –oh yea, say what you want –I already mentioned that. :)

I often wonder what would become of my feeding; should ‘good fortune’ catapults me to an unfamiliar terrain where I would be compelled to replace my favourite comment around the kitchen; from “Everything fresh and hot” to “Everything refrigerated and microwave’d”... Well, I’d adjust one way or the other.

Accordingly; my daily activities, almost always, present the need to visit –within the community –a retail-shop to pick up stuff. I would then approach my favourite spots. Most times I drive, sometimes I walk.

Fulfilling a commonplace task one day; my journey to procure some groceries was cut short by a never-seen ‘container shop’ –newly erected and filled to capacity… So good, I didn’t have to go extra mile.

The retail-shop belonged to Madam, Mr Smart’s wife. It was positioned right in front of the multifamily dwelling house.

Few days later, I was at the shop to pick few things… Ofcourse at a cost; nothing is free even in Freetown lol.

Whilst at the shop; an attendant was readily available to heed customers –a lively school-age girl who seemed to love her time at the mini-store… It wasn’t immediately clear to me if she’s their biological child.

 Madam was silent. She must be distracted by something.

I looked at her direction and saw her struggled to operate an I pad… That was some three years ago. At the same time, a laptop and other gadgets surrounded her… ‘You could almost ask if she is an electronics engineer’

Apparently, the satellite dish attached to the main building must be serving their home –so I thought.

On that very day; one thing became clearer to me. That the couple in focus –Mr Smart’s –were comfortable, well-off and cosy… This gave birth to my curiosity.

Please note that the writer is not a nosy character neither an enemy of progress. There are many well-to-do families ‘resident’ in the area.

Something was just not right.

And if something smells fishy it probably is!

OBSERVATION, DISPOSITION AND DETECTION

Nobody chooses where s/he lives but their circumstances.

First off –I researched inward the inescapableness or conditions that best explained why people reside in a particular place or at a particular time. I used rural settlement as a case study

Work, proximity and punctuality

This is pretty easy to assimilate… In other not to incur unnecessary cost as regards commuting; people naturally relocate or move closer to their place of work.

Nature of occupation

Being a rural location, one would customarily expect an influx of farmers, hunters etc in the region. Many of them would end up inhabiting the community; supposedly area of interest.

Alternative cost

According to Merriam Webster; “the determination of cost and value by comparison with the best alternative product rather than by totalling factor inputs.”

My Dad falls in this category.

Middle class earners who wish to have permanent roofs over their head, more often than not, are limited to low density areas due to astronomical cost of land in the cities and other accompanying factors.

Indigenous and cultural lineage

This class of people are known for their ancestral connection to villages and communities. The rich among them would –from wide and near –return to build edifice believed to be ‘country home’ in the land of their forefathers.

You would also find that many of the indigenes –who are not so privileged –simply live and earn their livelihood in-and-around these villages, towns and communities.  “Wan re bi kan”

No/low income earners

Under this subheading –the writer is referring to persons or families who are incapacitated by limited resources (money) and as a result –they are restricted to places with affordable housing, cheap rent etc.

In the long run –those without jobs or livelihood end up with trades, small businesses (shops etc) in-and-around the community whilst the lazy or less productive ones languish in poverty.

Next –let’s do some analytical and intuitive thinking.

Back in the days; Mr Smart’s varied schedule, movement and mobility could only suggest two things (i) that either he was an entrepreneur; CEO. (ii) Or he simply never had a job/commitment.

Were there facts on ground to support the argument of him been a business owner or a once-upon-a-time CEO of a company? The answer is NO

Also, healthcare profession are famous for varied schedules. If by any chance he [Mr Smart] was a doctor, he’d be a native, herbalist or unorthodox practitioner.

Let’s proceed.

The questions below may appear stereotypical but please don’t attack me too early.

1.       1. Why have multiple gadgets (electronics) of similar forms, patterns and serving same purpose?

Gifts from family and friends (home or abroad)?  The couple’s financial might? ‘level of sophistication and exposure’ etc. These are possible answers.

On the other hand; it may not be out of place to assume the gadgets to be add-on items from various robbery missions.

If the argument is based on ‘poshness and financial power’; then the next question would be.

2.       2. Why live in a multifamily dwelling house situated in a rural settlement?

He was not a farmer or hunter neither did he appear to be a low income earner who couldn’t afford an accommodation in the city.

He was not an indigene of the community.  His ethnicity clearly disapproved such notion. He was a Nigerian of south-eastern descent.

It just doesn’t add up.

Could I have informed the local authorities my concerns and observations? No, I couldn’t have done that due to possible backlash which would ultimately put me in harm’s way.  It’s a common knowledge that evil-gangs are widely connected and mostly have sympathizers amongst local authorities, rank and file and largely in government.

My curiosity, observation and investigation continue.

At this stage, it was already official –my eyes were on them.

I would randomly stop by at Madam’s shop, deliberately so, to make petty orders. One day I decided to push my luck. I needed to see how Mr Smart’s wife would react to unrealistic price offer.

Without beating about the bush; she sold an item for half its price worth. The item was in good shape, yet to expire and had no issues. Who does that!

So, I figured the shop was a mere smokescreen. It wasn’t profit driven.

On that very day, two years ago, I reached a conclusion. I told my partner straight away my suspicion and so blatantly that Mr Smart ‘would possibly be an armed robber’.

Two years after I was vindicated.

In conclusion

If I was a police officer, a profession I so dearly cherish –what this means is that I could have stopped Mr Smart and his ilk from having field day. They might not have had additional two years to perpetrate their evil act.

I enjoy unravelling criminal conspiracy with analytical and intuitive thinking. I will write a new story soon.

My question is: What is the fate of persons like me who - in absence of permanent position - is willing to ‘volunteer’ to serve the Nigeria Police Force and by extension serve his fatherland?

N.B

Due to legal implications the true identity of this couple is undisclosed. The writer chose above pseudo name as he felt the story was about a man(criminal) who thought he was smart and out of reach.

In his hometown in south east, Nigeria; should he owned properties and lived extravagantly amidst his peers, they –I mean the locals –probably never realised he was a notorious armed robber until his eventual death.


 Boluwatife Adekunle

Prevailing China-Nigeria Cooperation: Should We Worry?

13/04/2016

President Muhammadu Buhari is in China. A common discussable topic nowadays, the retail-business woman in the market finally looks forward to instant relieve on inflation, uncomforting hike in price of goods and services.

As conceived by her– President Buhari is on a proverbial journey,  to find lasting solution to various problems holding us down as a nation, to fight Pharaoh and her army (enemies of progress) and return home with the long awaited ‘magic rod’ similar to one used by Moses in the bible to path the red sea. We need ours to free Nigeria from shackles of poverty, hardship, unemployment etc. And finally, to lead 112 million Nigerians living below $2 per day, army of unemployed youth, underprivileged, vulnerable Nigerians to the promise land. A land filled with honey. Bread for the hungry… And ‘duty’ for the jobless.

There’s poverty in the land. Life is hard; life is cruel, life is difficult for average Nigerian residing in hinterlands and villages across the country. Minimum wage earners in the cities barely meet their daily needs. The situation is serious.  The mood is not nice.

It is best captured in the video that recently went viral online. A frustrated taxi-driver, in an interview, was on rampage as he poured his heart out without holding back. The cliché that in sorrow or adversity Nigerians are resilient and spirited instantly became a myth. I conclude that hardship has elder brother. 

He thinks there’s no justification for the government to subject its people to the kind of struggle he faces in his quest to buy fuel. He waited all day on cue, all to no avail. He was furious and in the video – He simply wants the country and all that breathe in it to collapse. Not gradually but at once. Unfortunately so, he couldn’t spare ‘you’ and ‘I’ from his dooms-call.

Nevertheless I believe, if in any case it were to happen, nature would be fair to bring together all politicians across the land as shield over the rest of us and ensure they receive most ‘hit’ from the debris.

On PMB’s official trip: I found great delight in Nigeria’s current romance with People’s Republic of China. I must quickly add that development such as this is always foreseeable from a well structured administration; with capable hands and well-read individuals manning key Ministries. One of which is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the person of Geoffrey Onyeama. Highly cerebral! …  Also to include that whoever is responsible or found to have advised The C-in-C to look toward the Asian giant for economic ties and within his/her capacity initiated current bilateral cooperation between both nations, I say to the person(s): You’re the hero of this political dispensation.

I say it all the time that amidst today’s global politics, hypocrisy and lip service the two nations to befriend, most importantly developing countries, for economic partnership and security support are China and Russia. The former being the second largest economy in the world can always be targeted for industrialization, trade, funding support for infrastructural development etc.

According to Dr. Keith Jefferies, one of Botswana’s leading economists “the strategic economic cooperation between Africa and China will elevate developing countries and stimulate growth, especially under the auspices of such regional blocs like Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)”

“African countries need to glue closely in order to benefit widely from economic deals with China”

Something is ‘brewing’ in Beijing. Landmark deals and agreements are being signed by Nigerian officials led by President Buhari and Chinese counterparts. On the other hand, this move has received its backlash. Though, we have people in some quarters that -with pessimism- outrightly condemn what they termed “razzmatazz”.

However, there are few concerns emanating from notable Nigerians. The issues border on, ulterior motive, corruption, debt profile. These concerns are not totally out of place and I think they’re for benefit of doubts worth exploring.

Yes it is true that China is looking expend in ‘loan and kind’ $60 billion in Africa.

“… China will offer 60 billion U.S dollars of funding support, including 5 billion dollars of free aid and interest-free loans, 35 billion dollars of preferential loans and export credit on more favourable terms, 5 billion dollars of additional capital for the China-Africa Development Fund and the Special Loan for the Development of African SMEs each, and China-Africa production capacity cooperation fund with the initial capital of 10 billion dollars.”

As regards ulterior motive –Such comment as “Oga China is mainly out to protect its interest in Africa” in reality may not be wrong.

Also, they infer that such currency agreement signed by Nigeria’s Apex Bank and ICBC (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China) which will, as agreed in the deal, see Nigeria as the clearinghouse of renminbi(Yuan) in Africa – to them is a grand move to revitalize China’s export market in Africa, which is under pressure from falling oil prices.

In Nigeria alone, it is reported that 70% of our total imports come from China. And recently, due to depleting reserve, the Central Bank of Nigeria placed 42 items on “forex restriction” list.

The currency deal, which now allows Nigerians who import from China to transact in renminbi(Yuan), would admittedly address forex impediments. However this development, according to concerned Nigerians, would further edge importation over local production. For a country that wants to #buynaijatogrowthenaira.

On the other hand, I think more emphasis should, instead, be placed on 10 major projects offered by China “particular noteworthy is the emphasis on industrialization and the concept of exporting ‘production capacity’ from China as a way of promoting African industrialization.”

Oh, this is a plot to keep construction companies from China preoccupied in Africa with attendant effect on taxation/tax income to grace Beijing’s purse. By the way, I didn’t imply that. These are words coming from the street.

In all –China is not saying oh we’re Messiah or Good Samaritan we just want to help. President Xi Jinping, in his own words, calls this “time-honored win-win partnership”.

In my opinion I think the odds favour Nigeria and indeed the whole of Africa.

On corruption

The argument that monies borrowed from Beijing if not checked and properly monitored could be just another ‘freebies’ for political hawks and looters who over the years have fed fat on our common resource. For me this argument is valid.

However, in addition to the fact that we have at the helm of affairs a President who is ready to fight corruption to standstill; but greatly structured though –is the idea that counterpart funding from China on projects (railway, roads, power etc) proposed by Nigerian government would, upon commencement, be remitted directly to Chinese Companies in-charge-of various projects. In my opinion, this would go a long way in addressing –to a large extent –all corruption-related concerns by eliminating ‘middleman syndrome’ which usually in our clime creates avenue for exploitation and profiteering.

Incurring more loans is just unnecessary; we should be concerned about growing financial liabilities & commitments and as a country should focus more on clearing our indebtedness both local & foreign, instead of over-bloating our dept profile. This is true. .. But it is also true that the crash in the price of crude oil has dealt a serious blow to our economy. Nigeria’s mono product economy is struggling and some experts believe that way-out at this point is to jumpstart the economy through diversification –by investing heavily in infrastructure, agriculture, mining, real sector (SMEs), human capital etc.

“High debt to GDP doesn’t necessarily mean the economy is under performing. For an economy to grow, same needs to be funded by taxes, debt etc. There are limitations on raising taxes. The government may resort to debt. Most of the economies are run with deficit budgets. But a stagnant economy often displays the higher debt/gdp ratio” – Quora

Nigeria boasts sub-Saharan Africa’s lowest debt-to-GDP ratio [Bloomberg Business]

So –Prevailing China-Nigeria cooperation: Should we worry? No. There’s no cause for alarm!

Boluwatife Adekunle

@boluzzz

Cynicism, Pharisaism And The World Today

18/12/2015

And part of the statement reads…. “The United States calls on the Government of Nigeria to quickly, credibly, and transparently investigate these events in Zaria and hold to account any individuals found to have committed crimes.”

The United State government, through its embassy in Abuja, released a statement to make known its concern and position on recent clash between Nigerian military and members of Islamic movement, whose leadership hails from north-western part of the country. The imbroglio has been widely condemned, following the needless loss of lives.

According to Vanguard… “The Chief Medical Director of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, Dr Lawal Khalid said the hospital’s morgue had received 61 bodies from the ongoing turmoil”.  The outcome of the incident involving the military and Shiites is rather unfortunate, an event the Army Chief says “could have been avoided”.

The official statement released on behalf of US government also reads… “While many details of the incidents that reportedly began on December 12 remain unclear, we are dismayed to learn of multiple civilian deaths[emphasis mine]. It is essential that all sides refrain from actions that further destabilize the situation.”

The bloodbath in Zaria vis-à-vis today’s upsurge of sectarian violence, which over the years as resulted to “multiple civilian deaths” across the globe, spurs the author of this essay to take a trip down memory lane as regards “multiple civilians” who in recent times were victims of US military engagements in Middle East and other regions, in circumstances popularly described as collateral damage or collateral murder as it’s being used in some quarters.

October 3, 2015 –Médecins Sans Frontières MSF Trauma centre in Kunduz was hit several times during sustained bombing by US-led coalition forces. According to MSF report… “The total number of dead is known to be at least 42, including 24 patients, 14 staff and 4 caretakers.”  What makes this event tragic was the “multiple civilians” who were armless; defenceless that got caught up in the mess.

“The official said the first bomb had landed at 02:10, and MSF staff called NATO in Kabul at 02:19 and military officials in Washington a few minutes later, but the bombing continued until 03:13.”

The bombing continued for 30 minutes after MSF pleaded with them to stop. This incident, sorrowfully, occurred just few days after MSF says that all parties to the conflict, including Kabul and Washington, had been told the precise GPS co-ordinates of the hospital in Kunduz on many occasions, including on 29 September.

“Why Is the U.S. Refusing an Independent Investigation If Its Hospital Airstrike Was an ‘Accident’?” –Glenn Greenwald

MSF President Meinie Nicolai condemned the attack as “abhorrent and a grave violation of International Humanitarian Law.” “We cannot accept that this horrific loss of life will simply be dismissed as ‘collateral damage’.”

And speaking of “collateral damage”

October 15, 2015 –The Intercept published secret documents about US drone wars. “… The US government has been wildly understating the collateral casualties from its drone program, according to an extensive eight-part series report in The Intercept. Using leaked documents on Operation Haymaker, one report takes an unprecedented look at drone strikes in Afghanistan between January 2012 and February 2013, during which more than 200 people were killed by US drones. Of those people, only 35 were approved targets, the rest being either collateral damage or mistakes resulting from faulty intelligence…”

April 5, 2010 –Wikileaks reveals video showing US air crew shooting down Iraqi civilians. According to TheGuardian… “A secret video showing US air crew falsely claiming to have encountered a firefight in Baghdad and then laughing at the dead after launching an air strike that killed a dozen people, including two Iraqis working for Reuters news agency, was revealed by Wikileaks today. “

Today’s Syria is literally a country on hold. Life has been made cheap, very sadly though, in that part of the world.

Some conspiracy theories suggest that the over 200,000 already lost souls and millions of displaced people living in inhabitable environment across border nations in Europe, is as a result of U.S support for the opposition rebels in Syria, supplying arms and other logistics to the Islamic State fighters in their quest to wage war on Bashar al-Assad’s leadership [The current Syrian President].

As stated by a report on Aljazeera… “The answer can be found in diplomatic communications released by WikiLeaks, which show that regime change in Syria has been the policy of the U.S. government as far back as 2006. Even more horrifying — after hundreds of thousands of deaths, untold lives ruined and more than 4 million refugees fleeing the country — is the evidence that Washington has had a policy of promoting sectarian warfare in the country for the purpose of destabilizing the Assad government”

Libya has not been the same ever since the implementation of US agenda to forcefully sack Mahmud Gaddaffi from office. They succeeded in their quest but the Rebels trained and armed by US continue to rain havoc on the once peaceful and economic giant country. Many innocent souls “multiple civilians” perished away as collateral damage.

“Look at Libya and what you[U.S] did there, that got your Ambassador murdered. Was it us that did this? You even had a Security Council decision. But okay… What did you proceed to do yourselves? You started bombing the territory. This is in clear contravention of the Security Council resolution.”

That was Vladimir Putin, Russian President, speaking at the Valdai international Discussion Club in late 2014.

Part of his comments also reads… “Is it a good result that your Ambassador was murdered? It is actually a terrible catastrophe. But do not look around for somebody to blame when it is you[U.S] making these mistakes. You must do the opposite; rise above the endless desire to dominate. You must stop acting out of imperialistic ambition”

Over and above, this writer is worried about what has become of the world today, the “multiple civilians” who had been victims of sectarian violence across the globe and millions who are displaced due to ongoing wars and conflicts.

It is to this end, the author of this essay joins United State government to condemn in its entirety the “multiple civilians” killed in Zaria.

Boluwatife Adekunle

@boluzzz