RIGHT ON TIME

Chapter 33

"These facts exponentially heightened my abilities to find out about the operation," Savior continued. 

The commissioner was now giving the caller his undivided attention. Even though the caller had been merry-go-rounding at first, he turned out to be very informative.

"You probably don't know this but Alpha Shadows have a highly encrypted database, state-of-the art, where they store up most information about them."

What was unknown to the commissioner was that the same person speaking was the one who developed the database with a strong encryption when he was trying to gain the favor, trust, confidence of the leader of Alpha Shadows and climb up the food chain.

"After a painstaking effort into their highly encrypted database, I finally succeeded in hacking into their archive and pulled out a lot of files containing clandestine details about the operations that would be carried out that week.

"You should note that I didn't take only that of Rivers State. I also took out a lot of files that contained details of operations in major states like Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Anambra, Ogun, Akwa-Ibom, Delta and Abuja.

"The commissioners of the states I mentioned and the Federal Capital Territory are my allies. You can call them to verify if they received an anonymous tip about some clandestine operations.

"And since you are a newspaper person, I believe you read the news last weekend about how some of the gunmen who were suspected to be members of Alpha Shadows in those States were killed on site. Those who escaped did so with a bullet wound; the rest were apprehended. That was the result of the Intel I gave your police buddies." 

The commissioner was both surprised and momentarily confused on what to say. This was never what he expected. He expected that the unknown caller would give him a cock and bull story. Never did he imagine something as brilliant as this. 

He was sure that he had covered all the bases. He was even making plans on the best way to get this person behind bars. Instead, he was thrilled with what he was hearing. It was either this person was a harmful and dangerous liar, or he could be telling the truth. If it was the former, then the Nigerian Police Force had just landed themselves a big fish to fry. But if the latter was the case, how would he know? 

What should he do? Has his job just gotten more complicated? 

After a brief contemplation and still not coming to a decisive moment or giving an accurate verdict about the integrity of the unknown caller, he decided to probe further. 

"So, why did you insist prior to the operation that my men should follow your information and instruction to the letter if you are still claiming not to have a hand in this?" asked the commissioner. 

"I did so because it was the safest way your men could engage these guys without getting victimized from a firefight with them." 

"Did I just hear you correctly?" Abubakar asked, the incredulity evident in his voice. 

"Yes, sir. Crystal clear." 

"Victimize?"

"Yes, victimize." 

"Did you- wait, did you actually use that word?" Try as he might, the commissioner could not just shake off his amusement. 

"I'm not accustomed to repeating clear answers."

Abubakar's laugh was filled with  derision. "What are you? Guardian angel man, I think, sent to protect the same people who put their lives on the line every day to protect other lives and properties. Protector of the protectors. Jehovah God, Allah... Which should I call you? Are we supposed to be worshiping you or what?" the commissioner said sarcastically.