CH10: SHARING THOUGHTS.

This is a passion work. So, I would really appreciate it if you leave behind a review when you're done reading.

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'Nigerian Mob led by the enigmatic Ebele 'The Don' Donald. An organisation that rose like lightning. Primarily based in Abuja, the nation's capital, they quickly became the representative of Nigeria's underworld. Almost no significant crime happens in the country without their knowledge or without them receiving a cut. All competitors were destroyed without impunity. However, something continues to baffle security forces. No matter how notorious the Mob became, hardly did their activities affect the innocent. Also since they consolidated their rule over the underworld, crime rate went down significantly with them seemingly controlling the number of guns and drugs in the country. Even though the number of guns and drugs they bring into the country had increased ten times over, for some reason, the Mob ships most of it out of the country almost immediately. Thanks to them, the country is more of a transit country than a consumer country of these drugs and weapons. For this reason, the Nigerian Mob has a 'good reputation' with the security forces, hence, their competitors calling them 'Patriots'. The question is, is everything as it seems? Or is The Don planning something or using this as leverage?'

'The NDz led by the brutal loud mouth Jonathan Duke aka The Duke of the Underworld. Once, someone said if Jonathan is the Duke, then The Don must be the king. The person was found dead along with his family. His wife, two children, his brother and family, their parents, and grandparents. All were found dead in their homes. Though the hitman was caught, everyone knew who sent him. Since then, no one dares to make a joke of his nickname. This shows what kind of person The Duke is and by extension, how his organisation operates. They deal drugs and weapons to anyone and everyone. They even sell to terrorists in the country. They are the exact opposite of the Mob. Hence, they have frequent run-ins with security forces.'

'The Haram Boys was originally a Socio-religious organisation calling for the use of Sharia Law in the Islam-dominated Northern Nigeria. Though ignored, they were originally peaceful. This change when their then leader was gunned down by the bodyguards of a non-muslim state legislator. The new leader, Abdullahi Sharawy quickly took a radical approach different from that of the previous leader and the group became extremist. They eventually snowballed into being a full-blown terrorist group when they bombed a popular market and worship center in a northern state. They've been in a war with the Army ever since.'(1)

As Korede Balogun stood up, he recalled the brief of the three groups he had read when he was at the DSS office for a case a while back. He stood straight like a rod. His height, physique, and disposition were attention-grabbing. Coincidentally, he sat at the center of the recruits right behind Second Lieutenant Kunle Balogun-Keshinro which made him look like the De facto leader of the recruits. He looked at his brother and an askance expression flashed very quickly in his eyes before disappearing. To which, the latter just smiled. Left with no choice, he explained his observations.

"A few things can be inferred from the audio we just heard. First, whatever crashed in the Zambisa forest is more valuable than what was originally thought since someone is willing to pay with a nuclear weapon. Second, this mysterious client must have access to good intelligence resources to be able to find the group's Homebase when not even the NDI nor Military intelligence have been able to. Third, The Don is trying to use our hands to destroy the NDz." Korede deduced.

"Care to elaborate?" asked Special Agent Danjuma, clearly very interested.

"I believe the first point is clear?" Korede asked, causing everyone to nod. "The second point is the most important. So, let me explain the third first. Whether the deal is successful or not, our intelligence outfits will eventually find out about the deal. So when they do, the NDz will be blacklisted and hunted down by the military. Since they're involved in a nuclear material trade that potentially could be used against it, I doubt Military Command will leave them to security forces. With them in hiding or on the run, the Mob can easily take over their businesses. When you have a hot potato in hand, the best thing to do, in their line of work, is to throw it to another person."

"As for the second and most important point, NDI and Military Intelligence has been looking for the Haram Boys Homebase since the war started and they went underground without any luck. However, a mysterious client was able to find them. This means the client has a huge background. It should be a country or an organisation. Then, they are most likely hostile. Because if they weren't, they would have asked us to help them recover it or secretly sent troops under a guise. I can think of multiple reasons to send troops, some of which can even earn them political capital while secretly recovering their asset. Since they are going through our underworld, they are definitely not allies." Korede analysed. After which he sat down.

Korede had another point he hadn't mention but because of a glance he received from his brother telling him to watch what he says, he decided to keep shut. Besides, the people above would have figured it out.

Special Agent Danjuma was impressed with the recruit's analysis. It tallied with what was reported by NDI's analysts. He nodded his head and said, "Yes you're right. Our analysts also believe same. We are currently exploring that angle. For now, we need to take possession of the nuke and whatever crash-landed."

The image on the screen changed.

"Two days after the recording was taken, the NDz uncharacteristically started to observe counter-surveillance procedures; avoiding the use of cellphones, stopped talking about business, not taking the same routes, etc, causing us to believe that the Emissary had made contact with them. Yesterday, however, we were able to acquire intel suggesting that the deal will be going down this afternoon at the Port of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. We need to prevent the meeting from holding successfully." Special Agent Danjuma concluded, handing the floor back to Colonel Balogun.

Colonel Balogun nodded and clapped his hand, "Alright people, you have your mission. The meet will hold by noon, giving us just two hours. Let's get to it. We are going to have two teams, Alpha and…" Just then, he seemed to have noticed something, "Seems introductions are in order. Team 5, why don't you go first."

"I'm Second Lieutenant Kunle Balogun-Keshinro, Team Leader of Eagle Squad Team 5"

"I'm Master Sergeant Idowu Adewuyi." said the tall, slim man to Kunle Balogun-Keshinro's right.

"I'm Staff Sergeant Afeez Bayero." said the slim man to Kunle Balogun-Keshinro's left.

"I'm Sergeant Daniel Wike." said the man to Idowu's right. The man is medium and build. He had a slash scar on his left eye.

"I'm Corporal Fatima Mohammed." said the woman to Afeez's left. The woman was medium height and has a well-proportioned body. She seems to have a quiet disposition.

"Corporal Mary Izamoje." said the 'fashionable' woman. She was sitted to Fatima's left. (2) (3)

"Recruits!" Colonel Balogun said after the six veterans introduced themselves.

[A.N: Please, don't forget to leave a review of the work to encourage me. Your opinion really matters to me.]

AUTHOR'S NOTE/RAMBLINGS

1 a brief introduction to the criminal organisations of this arc. Didn't feel like going into too much detail. My laziness can be seen in their names, most especially 'Haram Boys'. It's probably, so obvious where this is coming from. I was going to change it at first but lazily decided to leave it later on.

2 considering the need to write out the military ranks. Unless I remake the story, ranks won't really matter. Well, I might list them out in the future if needed or I get over my laziness.

3 Hope I got it right. The sitting arrangement should be, from right to left, Daniel, Idowu, Kunle, Afeez, Fatima, Mary.

[A.N: Please, don't forget to leave a review of the work to encourage me. Your opinion really matters to me.]