Must Read: The Cartel (18+)

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: The Cartel (18+)

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My hands still bound and a mask placed over my head, I was led out of the room and into the dark compound. I was then put inside the trunk of a car just as I heard the sound of my car’s ignition being turned on next to the one whose trunk I was in. Seconds later, the car I was placed in came on also just as I heard my car take the lead as we drove out.

I noticed we were driving on a dirt road as I tried to make out a possible location where we were. The car was moving so fast in the road that was obviously filled with sharp bends because each bend had me knocking over in the trunk. And with my hands tied behind me, I couldn’t support and prevent myself from hitting all over. I prayed to get out alive and not pass out or become unconscious because my head would hit painfully due to the way they drove. Although I couldn’t tell where we were, I was certain it was in a village in Akwa Ibom state.

Finally after about fifteen minutes on the dirt road that seemed like eternity, we then joined and began a smooth drive before the car pulled over about five minutes later. The trunk was opened and I was led out. The rope was cut loose and the mask removed from my head.

The first person I saw was the car who I had carried from Calabar earlier in the day.

Although it was dark (as they had turned off the headlamps of the cars) I could still recognize him and the smell of the perfume he wore. They were three guys in all, one drove my car, while two were in the car whose trunk I was kept in.
“You time starts now” That same guy said as they left me and my car behind, entered theirs and sped off in the same direction we were facing. Meanwhile all these went on with other cars and several trucks conveying gravels speeding past in the same direction we were facing. Putting one and two together, and looking at the nature of the tarred road, I knew I was somewhere in Akampka local government and I was facing Calabar. I was obviously wrong about being in Akwa Ibom.

My car was left running and I got in and the first thing I did was check the time on my dashboard, exactly 8pm. Although I was still a bit dazed, I pulled into the road because of the notoriety of the road at that time of the night.

Unsure of what my next step would be, I set out for Calabar. Going to the police was as silly as thinking those guys were messing with us.

My head hurt and focusing was a bit difficult for a while.

As I drove, I thought back to how I felt when I woke up earlier in the day and the signs that it was going to be a bad day. Also the desperation showed by the guy who set me up for abduction were enough pointers that all was not going to be well, but I failed to listen to these signs. But then again, it had happened and I knew I didn’t have time to dwell on these thoughts, I had to decide quickly how to get the drugs. Coco had given me her word that as long as I fulfilled and passed their challenge, Vivian had the chance of coming out alive.

She made it clear it wasn’t about me. Her word was all I had and was hoping on now.


I had to leave for Abuja.


But there was a challenge, there were no scheduled flights for Abuja by that time.

And even if I were to wait until the following day, flights out of Calabar were usually from midday. So I had to leave now and with my car. At this point, I stepped on the acceleration pedal as I approached Calabar. With no time to waste, I decided to call my friend in Abuja and explain the urgency of my demand. While I didn’t exactly have enough cash to buy what they wanted, I placed an order for all the money I had to my name which was about N1.8m in the bank which I hoped to transfer the following day during the transaction.

My target now was to get to Makurdi this night and set out the following morning for Abuja.

But I needed to get money for fuel and other unforeseen expenses. Remembering I had been given N15k for the trip to Uyo, it was surprising when I reached for my back pocket and discovered the money was still there.

But I still needed a backpack and since I would driving this late, something to keep awake.

I drove my safe house, took some more money and a backpack which was always ready (for such impromptu trips).

For the first time in my life, I took some of my pills just in case I needed help to keep awake and headed out. While I refueled, I bought some snacks as I could not take those pills with an empty stomach. I left Calabar for Makurdi at exactly 8:30pm. The Calabar-Yola federal highway was still in good shape as at then, so I wasn’t bothered about bad roads.

By 12am, I entered Abakpa in Ogoja Local government and packed in a filling station which was still open as at then.

Trucks conveying petroleum products to the north from Calabar were the common vehicles I overtook while driving from Calabar.

But by the time I got to Mbok junction in Ogoja, trucks conveying foodstuffs, fruits and livestock from north to the south east and PH were coming from the opposite direction with crazy headlamps which made me cut down my speed tremendously as I could barely see ahead.

Within the short distance between Mbok and Abakpa junctions both in Ogoja, my eyes began to hurt like hell due to the monster headlamps from the numerous trucks and I knew I couldn’t continue driving under that condition because there were certainly more trucks from there on till one gets to Katsina-Ala in Benue state where I would be negotiating the turn leading to Makurdi.

After refueling, I asked for any nearby hotel and was directed to one around the junction were I put in for the night. Once my back touched the bed, I feel asleep while realizing my eyes hurt because I was also feeling sleepy and was forcing myself to stay awake all the while I drove. I had forgotten to take the pills.