Tracking Down Annahs Azuree: the syndicate 1-4

Tracking Down Annahs Azuree:  the syndicate 1-4

It was May 13^th in Dakuman, Accra and the clock struck 4:00 am. He was resting in his third single-room apartment because of the nature of the work he does.

A call had just come through to him to immediately leave the place. The caller sounded calm but with a distinct urgency in his tone.

The information made available to him indicated that the syndicate has found this particular hiding place and was just ten minutes away.

“Oh, my goodness! What do I do now? Think, think, think,” as he quickly packed his vitals and dashed out of the room.

He stopped a bike man who was doing his early morning hustle. “Take me anywhere,” he told him as he jumped on the bike.

“What do you mean by anywhere” the bike man protested.

“Please move the bike forward and I’ll give you directions,” he retorted.

Some meters away from his junction, he told the man to take him to any station in Accra or Circle.

At the station in Accra, he quickly scouted the place, and realizing that a Ho-bound vehicle was almost full and ready to leave for Ho, he decided to get to Aflao through Ho.

He took the young man’s mobile number and promised to call him any time he needed his services.

By this time, it was almost 6 am and the vehicle was still waiting for one person.

“What have I gotten into?” he queried himself as the station had suddenly come alive with a lot of human activity.

Read: Call me Abi, not Abigail

Tracking Down Annahs Azuree: the syndicate Episode 1-4

The Citi Fm news had just begun. In the top story, the Police gave an update on their track down of the cocaine syndicate. The police assured the public that events were under control but they feared that Annahs Azuree might have been gunned down during the combat between the police and the drug barons.

Finally, the last passenger emerged and the vehicle moved out of the station.

“This Azuree guy eh? The day they attack him for this kind of work he is doing, then he will know that ‘water don pass gari’,” a fellow passenger seated close to Azuree said.

“Yes oo,” Azuree himself replied. “He has to be very careful. I don’t even know what his motivation is in this dangerous path he has chosen.  I don’t know why some people can’t just mind their own business,” he added.

The driver was now driving towards the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange. He decided to play the devil’s advocate in the discussion.

“Honestly, I don’t see anything wrong with what this guy and his men are doing. What is wrong if somebody aids the police to fight crime in society?”

As the conversation became heated and intense, Annahs said, “it is when he suffers from it that he will learn. Me, I like people who mind their business.”

“And what is their business?” the driver asked.

They were just about to reach the toll booth when out of nowhere, a police pickup pulled over and ordered their bus to stop. The driver asked what the matter was, but they ignored him.

Tracking Down Annahs Azuree: the syndicate Episode 1-4

“Everybody, get down!” As they got down and the police made their checks, it turned out that they did not find what they were looking for. They allowed the vehicle to leave as they also entered their pickup and left.

Also Read: Call me Abi, not Abigail – Part two

Annas who knew three of the officers smiled to himself.

“You see what I was saying?” the driver started again. “Don’t you think evil needs to be fought? If they had found something now, how would we all feel.”

“So, what were they looking for anyway?” another passenger asked. “How would I know my brother? Maybe wee or tramadol.”

The car was now moving speedily towards Atimpoku where they made a stopover for some beverages.

On the way, he received a call but it was difficult to talk because it was in connection with the just-ended operation in Accra.

“I will call you back sir.” The caller hung up.

Unknown to Azuree, a passenger on board his vehicle knew him but did not know he was involved in any kind of investigative operation. Kwarteng was his name.

Meanwhile, the cocaine barons had met an empty house in Dakuman.  Azuree had left five minutes before they finally got to the house. They broke into the room and ransacked everything possible to get his identity.

After a thorough search and finding no important document except some pieces of paper left on the mattress, they stormed out of the place angrily and headed for their hideout in Madina. The team got to their hide-out while it was still dawn.

“What will we do now? This Azuree guy has messed us up. You have to leave the country now.”

Tracking Down Annahs Azuree: the syndicate Episode 1-4

One of them said, “Yaovi, you have to leave by road now before tomorrow. The road will be very risky to ply because the issue is everywhere so you have to be careful. The car leaves at 6:00 am.”

Also Read: Call me Abi, not Abigail – the end

Annahs felt a tap on his back. He turned around in bewilderment. Recognizing the face and eyes staring straight up at him, he knew that any unnecessary question from him will spell doom.

Kwarteng had been told about the raid in Annahs’ house in Dakuman that morning through a phone from a friend in the neighborhood. They however taught it was a burglary.

“I hope this guy will not ask me any question.”

Before the young man could master the courage to ask any question, Azuree told the driver that he wanted to get down.

As the driver tried to locate a space to park, he began asking Kwarteng about his family and other unrelated questions just to keep him talking.

Before the young man could ask him any question, he was already out of the car and had crossed the road immediately.

Tracking Down Annahs Azuree: the syndicate Episode 1-4

The driver looked at him strangely as he drove off shaking his head.

“Good gracious! This young man nearly messed up everything for me this morning.”

He was still in wonder when he received a call from a team member.

“Where are you now?”

“An incident just happened, so I had to alight in Sokode.”

“Sokode! What happened?”

“Don’t worry, I will be fine and I will keep you posted,” he assured Manas his friend.

“The commander called and said you should be very careful because they have picked up some information that some of the police officers are in bed with the cocaine barons. This makes our work super difficult.”

He took a taxi from Sokode and moved straight to the station so he could board an Aflao-bound vehicle. “I must reach Badagry before dusk. It’s not funny anymore. Now that the foes are multiplying, caution and vigilance have to increase.”

On reaching the station, he spotted the driver who carried him from Accra but decided to avoid him.

“Should I take the hire car or the minibus? What if the police on the other side also send men after me.”

As he contemplated, he decided to take the hiring car since he will arrive in Aflao faster that way.

On reaching Dzodze, he received a text indicating that a counter police team had mounted up a check at Tokor and since they might identify him, it will be suicidal to move to Aflao. Immediately, he decided to go into Togo through the Segbe Border.

Tracking Down Annahs Azuree: the syndicate Episode 1-4

Read: List of 2022 articles and Countries and Countries Reached

When he got to the counter of the immigration service, the officer on duty was half asleep so he did not even check his passport or ask any question. The Officers on the Togo side rather asked too many questions but he was so friendly with them that they let him go.

Meanwhile, the officers at the Tokor barrier had stopped his car and enquired if anyone got down earlier. The driver responded in the affirmative but was unable to tell them the destination of the passenger.

“You are under arrest,” the police officer said to the driver.

“For what offense?” the man sitting in front quizzed.

“For dropping a criminal off before a major checkpoint.” The driver burst out into laughter.

“How the heck am I supposed to know that he is a criminal? I am a man doing a decent job, and I have been doing it for ten years now. If you don’t want to be dismissed from the police service, you better let us go.” Eventually, reason prevailed and they let them go.

“What nonsense was that?” a passenger asked.

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Anaahs decided that instead of taking a Taxi to the main Togo border where he can get a car going to Nigeria, he would rather go by motor bike. He thought to himself, “you may never know and you never can tell.”

If not for the swiftness of his motorbike rider, he would have ended up taking the same vehicle with one of the drug barons, the kingpin of the cocaine syndicate, who was also leaving Ghana for Nigeria.

It was a narrow escape for Anaahs. His car had just left for the Benin border when Yaovi arrived.

The controversy surrounding the whole cocaine deal was still making headlines when the two most wanted men had just left the country. Anaahs Azuree was wanted by the cocaine syndicate and their corrupt police officers, while Yaovi and his men were wanted by the police and the nation as a whole.

The cocaine scandal has assumed national prominence as major radio and tv stations were busy discussing it. The government of the day was also trying their best to clear their name since some government officials were being accused of having a hand in the whole scandal.

Tracking Down Annahs Azuree: the syndicate

The country’s ranking has just plunged downward on the drug trafficking index – the current scandal now adding more insult to injury.

“This is not good for us,” the interior minister told his colleagues as they got ready to address the nation.

“Fellow Ghanaians, we have a common enemy. Crime of any form, shade, or size should not be given any party affiliation. Let’s call crime what it is and desist from the name callings. This will derail our collective efforts and rather divide us. Right now, I can state categorically that the men involved have still not been captured and our dutiful police officers are doing their best to make some arrests. We will keep you updated on the latest news regarding this issue. We promise to be truthful to you. God bless our homeland Ghana.”

The news conference was received with mixed feelings since the greater population of the country have little or no hope in the potential of the government to deliver.

On the streets of Accra, as usual, the court of public opinion went into action with their views. Some people thought this issue will not land anywhere. “It is just mere talk of a failed government.” Others were optimistic about the government handling the case.

At the Police Headquarters, tensions were high because a cross-section of the police was being suspected as partners of the Syndicate.

At the very top of the Police Department, the Inspector General of Police did not know who exactly to trust. The top officials all seemed to be on the same page with him but underneath, some of them were in bed with the barons. They leak top information to the barons thereby frustrating the work of the service.

Tracking Down Annahs Azuree- the syndicate

Read:My wellington boot

. “I am aware that our last operation to arrest these men was unsuccessful and I am also aware that the commander in charge of the operation is rolling out a new strategy. Please co-operate with him so we can succeed this time around.”

“It’s not prudent to tell them that I know some of them are culprits in this issue,” he thought to himself.

“I will keep my fingers crossed and strike at whoever is frustrating our work as a police service.”

The Nigeria-Seme Border was very rowdy when Azuree got there. Since he already knew the terrain, it was not very difficult to cross what he normally called the red sea of Africa. It was at the last stretch of the crossing that the Kelebe boys stopped the bike carrying him.

“Orga, wait now. Why you dey rush sef? Here na express? How far?” he directed the questions at Azuree.

“Wetin dey happen bros? Oya find something come make we take hold body.”

Azuree was about removing some fifty naira note from his wallet when one of his Ghanaian identity cards fell from his wallet

“So, you be Ghananaian before you deceive me? Your money don increase be dat. I go take 5000 Naira or I go take you to the office. Where your passport dey? Wait, make I polish my English. Show me your passport?”

As the conversation became heated, Azuree knew that paying this money may be the safest option though an expensive one. He quickly gave him the money and they let him go.

“Na God save you be dat,” he blurted out as the bike man left the check point.

Tracking Down Annahs Azuree- the syndicate

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When they got to the motor park, the bike man also decided to increase his fare to 3000 Naira. He wanted to protest but he realized that some policemen were heading in their direction. He quickly paid and made a quick dash into the crowd.

“What is happening?” he asked himself. “Oh my God help me.”

It was already 5:30 pm and the bus heading for Mile 2 was almost full.

They encountered about twenty check points between the Seme Border and Badagry roundabout. He was literally sitting on the edge of his seat throughout the journey. He later realized that his luck was that he took a bigger bus since the officers were paying attention to the taxis.

On reaching Mile 2, he took a cab to Victoria Island where he lodged at the Splash Eko Hotel. Though expensive, it was the safest place at that moment. He was just about sleeping when he heard a knock at the door.

He opened it only to find a police officer accompanied by one of the hotel attendants.

A shock like lightning went through Azuree when he saw the Police Officer. “What can I do for you, sir?”

“Oh sorry. It’s a woman we’re looking for. Is Chidi here? Is this not room 232?” “With all due respect, did you watch the door well? This is room 233, please. And next time, watch well before you knock.” He banged the door behind him and went straight to bed.

Yaovi also arrived safely in Oshodi, a suburb of Lagos, and checked into a Guest House. On arrival, he called his men only for him to be told that one of the team members has been captured.

“What? Are you kidding me? You’re joking, right? How? Where? When?”  “Charley, that guy will not listen to me despite all I told him. Okay, tell me. How did it happen?”

“Well, he received a call from Aku that she needed to see him urgently at the Zongo junction. She persisted it was urgent. I told him not to go. He claimed he had been wooing her for some time now so this could be his opportunity to go in for the kill.”

“When he left, I decided to follow from afar off just to monitor events. Yaovi, I kid you not. He was picked up cheaply before my very eyes by men who were not in uniform. My suspicion is that they plotted Aku just to get him. I had to quickly but quietly run from the scene. I have relocated to somewhere I can’t even tell you now. Now, I am suspicious of everybody.”

Tracking Down Annahs Azuree- the syndicate

“Cool down my man. I understand you, Yaovi tried to cheer him up.  Hope this guy will not reveal hidden secrets. I” ll call Commander Carlos immediately so they release him.”

“You’re talking as If it’s that easy! What if he’s been transferred? To be frank with you, we are not safe any longer.”  “Don’t worry. I’ll get back to you first thing tomorrow morning.” “I hear you chief.”

“In the days of war, desist from merry-making. This guy has violated this principle I taught them and now he has landed us in deeper trouble,” Yoavi thought to himself as he sat on the bed.

That night, sleep refused to descend on him. It was one nightmare after another.  At around 2 am, he fell asleep but it was short-lived. A night girl and her client had just picked up a serious quarrel over the money negotiated. She claimed she had been short-changed. The cacophony brought everybody out of their rooms except Yaovi, who was watching through the window.

“This life erh. Hmm.” He said to himself.  “Some of us are running from crimes we committed while some people are inviting trouble into their lives.” As he was reminiscing on this event, his phone rang. It was Aboagye again. “Guy, what’s up? Did you call Commander?”

Tracking Down Annahs Azuree-the syndicate

Sunday Pasture 1:Walking the Path of Forgiveness- Rev Seth Kunkpe

“But it’s just around 4 am. I told you that I will get back to you first thing in the morning.” “The orange seller that lives next door to us just called me asking for my whereabout. She said two men have just come to knock at our door. She watched them through her window and decided not to come out since she was afraid.”

“This thing is not looking funny anymore! Alhaji has also refused to pick up my call since the operation backfired.” “Don’t worry my guy. There is hope for light even in the darkness”.  “Thank you, Mr. Motivational speaker. You are far in Nigeria so you can choose to become a motivational speaker,” Aboagye said angrily and cut the call without saying goodbye.

The second knock on Azurees’ door really annoyed him.  The hotel attendant claimed he was called for room service when it was only 4 30am in the morning.

Tracking Down Annahs Azuree- the syndicate

“Did I call you? I don’t know sir. I was also ordered, sir. Ordered by who? Is this really Eko Hotel? Maybe I’m in the wrong place. What’s happening? I have to leave this place first thing tomorrow for the mainland. If the island is not favoring you, go to the mainland,” he thought to himself.

After registering his displeasure, he checked out of his room first thing in the morning. “Where will I go now? I know this Guest House in Oshodi. Very cheap but a lot of noise too. Let me try that place.”

He finally got to the Guest House around 3 pm because of Lagos hold-ups.

“How are you, Sir? Ah, customer. Where is my Ghana bread? The receptionist who knew him asked with excitement. “Is my room 15 available? No sir, another man from Ghana came here three days ago. He just went for a stroll.”

“Okay, no problem. I don’t want to meet anybody so please don’t tell him that another Ghanaian is here.” “Okay Sir, I won’t say anything?” The receptionist gave him room 22 which was directly opposite room 15. He had just entered his room when Yaovi came back from his stroll.

To be continued.

Blessings

Rev Seth Kunkpe

Penfromafar!…. writing to make things right.

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