21/02/2025
ECHOES OF OUR LIVES 🌟
EPISODE 23
The estate was in chaos. News of Musa’s disappearance spread like wildfire, and the sight of his bloodied uniform near the gate only heightened the fear. Residents whispered in hushed tones, locking their doors tighter, while others debated whether it was time to leave the estate altogether.
But for Hassan and Bayo, leaving was not an option.
Hassan wasted no time. He gathered his security team and a few trusted residents, including Bayo and Malik, Aisha’s older brother, to begin the search.
"We no fit just sidon dey look," Hassan said, his voice steely. "Musa fit still dey alive, and we must find am before e too late."
They split into groups. Hassan and two guards went toward the estate’s outskirts, where a small, abandoned building stood—one of the few places criminals could hide someone without attracting attention.
Bayo, Malik, and another security man, Adebayo, searched near the uncompleted houses on the far end of the estate.
"Make we dey careful," Bayo warned as they walked. "Dem fit leave Musa for somewhere as bait to draw us out."
Malik nodded, gripping the small dagger he had tucked in his belt. "We go dey sharp."
The search continued, but Musa was nowhere to be found.
---
A Message from the Gang
While the search was on, a new problem arose at the estate gate. Yetunde was sitting outside with some women when a young boy possibly the same one who had delivered the first message approached.
"Aunty, dem say make I give una dis," the boy said, handing Yetunde a small envelope before quickly running off.
Yetunde’s hands trembled as she opened the envelope. Inside was a small, blood-stained piece of Musa’s uniform and a chilling note:
"Leave this matter or your people go disappear one by one."
The women gasped as Yetunde covered her mouth, her stomach twisting in horror.
She ran inside to call Bayo.
Hassan’s Discovery
Hassan and his group had been searching for over an hour when one of his guards, Solomon, pointed at something in the dirt.
"Oga, see blood for ground."
Hassan’s pulse quickened. The blood formed a faint trail leading into the abandoned building. He gestured for his men to move carefully as they approached.
They stepped inside, the air thick with dust and the faint metallic scent of blood.
And then, in the corner of the room, they saw him.
Musa.
He was tied to a chair, his face swollen, cuts on his arms and face. His breathing was shallow, but he was alive.
"Chineke! Musa, you dey hear me?" Hassan rushed to him, checking his pulse. It was weak but steady.
"Dem… dem say make una stop," Musa muttered, barely able to open his eyes.
"Dem no go fit silence us," Hassan said, quickly cutting the ropes. "We go carry you go hospital now."
As they carried Musa out, Hassan’s mind raced. The gang had taken things too far. It was time to fight back.
Bayo and Hassan’s Plan
Later that night, Bayo and Hassan sat together in Bayo’s living room, their expressions dark. Yetunde sat nearby, silent but listening intently.
"We no fit wait make dem take another person," Bayo said, his fists clenched. "This estate na our home. If we run, dem go take over."
Hassan nodded. "We need to involve police."
Bayo exhaled deeply. "You sure say dem no go leak the matter back to the gang?"
Hassan’s eyes narrowed. "We no go involve just any police. I get one contact one officer wey no dey take nonsense. If we give am solid evidence, e go help us. But we go still need plan our own defense for estate."
Yetunde finally spoke. "We go tell the men for estate make dem join security efforts. Make everybody dey watchful. If we no stand together, dem go break us one by one."
Hassan agreed. "From tomorrow, we go start night patrol. No corner of this estate go dey dark again."
Bayo sighed. "And if dem still no back down?"
Hassan’s face hardened. "Then we take the fight to them before dem bring it to us again.
As they planned, they had no idea that a pair of eyes watched from the shadows.
A figure stood near the estate gate, partially hidden by the darkness. He had been sent to listen, to observe. And now he had heard enough.
Slowly, he pulled out his phone and typed a message.
"Dem dey plan fight back. Make boss know say e go start soon."
Then, without making a sound, he disappeared into the night.
The war had begun
