The Three Musketeers

Back at the NMA command centre, Farouq continues his briefing. FAROUQ: This man, Idris, was able to transform the Apex boys almost instantaneously. It turns out he was able to do that because he had been planning everything all along, even before he became the Apex boys’ leader. FAROUQ: He started first as an arms dealer in the underground. He mysteriously amassed massive amounts of compasses, which he sold on the black market. FAROUQ: From the information I obtained from various informants— He pauses. FAROUQ: Snitches. FAROUQ: I found that he had placed sleeper cells within various schools who would steal compasses from other students’ mathematical sets. FAROUQ: He was responsible for the mass compass theft at Yusuf Bukar Government College during WAEC exams three years ago. The women stare at him in disbelief. FAROUQ: He then sold most of the weapons to warring gangs that were lacking in arms and stored the rest to use in arming his own men. FAROUQ: Using the funds he gained from his arms sales, he set up a few casinos where people gamble on a game of Whot, and bars that serve cold zobo. FAROUQ: To keep information from reaching the NMA, he channelled massive sums of money to the NMA’s INTEL Division to keep them tight-lipped. FAROUQ: That was how he was able to conduct his business right under the NMA’s noses. He closes the laptop. FAROUQ: I was able to obtain such information thanks to the various informants— A pause. FAROUQ: Snitches. FAROUQ: Who risked life and limb to obtain information. BIG MADAM: Your services are greatly appreciated, Mr. Farouq. FAROUQ: That is not necessary, Commander. This is just me doing my part for the betterment of society. Suddenly, the woman operating the drone spots something. WOMAN: Commander! I have a visual on the boys. BIG MADAM: Excellent! Give me their location. WOMAN: — BIG MADAM: Section Seven Commander! The commander of Section Seven is Mrs. Helen, who is known in town as Big Mama. Her most striking feature is her massive, meaty build, owing to her gluttonous nature. She is holding a large piece of meat as she walks toward Big Madam. Big Madam and Big Mama come face-to-face. BIG MAMA: Section Seven Commander reporting for duty! BIG MADAM: I am putting you in charge of this operation. Find the boys and put a stop to the fight. BIG MAMA: Understood. Section Seven, move out! A convoy of Vibe Pontiac cars with sirens blazing races through the city as the women of Section Seven head toward the boys’ location. --- Meanwhile, in the warehouse, the Eagle Wings prepare for a standoff with the Apex boys. The pen versus the compass. Which shall come out on top? GABRIEL: You think I’m afraid of your little weapons? I no dey fear una compass. Suddenly, a small projectile flies past Gabriel and grazes his right cheek. IDRIS: What makes you think we are armed with only melee weapons? He smiles. IDRIS: FYI, we also wield ranged weapons. Gabriel looks around and sees four men with snipers—slingshots—positioned on the top corners of the building. IDRIS: You see, after I gathered sufficient funds from my arms sales, I invested some of it into the manufacture and sale of ranged weapons. IDRIS: Listen, Gabriel. Na businessman I be, and my business is expanding. IDRIS: My casino business is booming, and I need land to build more. My bars are expanding, and I need more vehicles to transport my cold zobo. He spreads his arms. IDRIS: So I decided to expand my territory by taking some of yours. GABRIEL: Is this some sort of joke? IDRIS: You see play for my eye? You dey ment? He shakes his head. IDRIS: I assure you, I am very serious. I’m only doing what’s good for my business. Can’t you see? Look how big my business is becoming. He smiles. IDRIS: It’s gotten quite big… A pause. IDRIS: To your detriment, of course. GABRIEL: Do you expect me to just give up my territory to you? IDRIS: Certainly not. Far from it. I most certainly am not expecting you to hand over all of your land. He raises a finger. IDRIS: You go just bring 60 percent. IDRIS: Just bring 60 percent of your territory, and I’ll be generous enough to allow you to keep your racetrack, as much as I am tempted to seize it. The Eagle Wings own a bicycle racetrack where major racing events are held. It is a major source of income for the Eagle Wings boys. GABRIEL: And what if I refuse? IDRIS: Then I’ll have no other option but to take it by force. He pauses. IDRIS: The racetrack included. The Apex boys take up battle stances. GABRIEL: I see the Apex boys are underestimating me. E be like say you no know who I be. It’s like you’re forgetting who Gabriel the Giant is. He looks around. GABRIEL: Your compasses and snipers mean nothing. You’re still outnumbered three to one. IDRIS: You see, one thing I forgot to mention was this. He stands. IDRIS: After I had amassed sufficient wealth, there was one other thing I did. He smiles. IDRIS: I was able to establish ties… A dramatic pause. IDRIS: With the military. Five of the Apex boys take off their jackets, revealing military shirts underneath. They are students of the Nigerian Military School. NMS. Idris gets up and starts walking out of the warehouse, his hands in his pockets. IDRIS: And one more thing. We are no longer the Apex boys. He pauses at the door. IDRIS: Now we are known as… He turns around. IDRIS: The Apex Mafia.

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