The information came in a bit late but we couldn't afford to lose such huge amount of money. So we thought not knowing we would be losing our freedom in the process. We had limited time to plan the robbery. Normally, we take time to plan our operation very well to avoid any mistakes and that has been working well for us. Until the last robbery, we never kill anyone or hurt anyone. We just take the money and leave without a trace. We planned the operation all through the night. We decided on the clothes we would wear, the weapons, the route we would take, and how we would maneuver the tight security in the bank. The security system of the bank seems impenetrable but we hacked a plan to enter the bank.
After we got the information from one of our spies around the bank about the arrival of the bullion van. We waited two hours more, enough time to offload the money and for the van and the convoy that followed it to leave the premises, before we started our journey to the bank to take our loot.
We stopped in a hotel located a few buildings from the bank to change into our black clothes and get our weapons ready for the operation. We had our short prayers in the car, covered our faces, and drove straight into the bank. Putting the security officers watching the bank under our subjection wasn't as tough as we expected. After seizing their guns and phones, I ordered one of us to keep an eye on them while the two of us proceeded into the bank.
The heavily programmed security door in the bank stopped us from gaining entry into the bank. We couldn't open it, so we blasted it using dynamite. Cobra, the other guy, and I went into the bank. I guess the explosion of the door has put them in a state of confusion, the customers and the staff there were looking for a place to hide when we entered the bank. I ordered everyone to stop with a shot on the roof. They all stopped at once and I told them our intention there. At this time, I had made sure everyone in the bank was sitting on the floor in front of me with their hands up..
After gathering all the money on the cashier's desks into a bag, I ordered the bank manager to take Cobra to the vault where the real money was. Cobra followed the manager with a gun on his head to the vault and returned with the loot a few minutes later. We carried the money to the car, got into the car, and were about to drive out of the bank when the police arrived. What would have been a successful and smooth robbery turned into a battlefield.
The police started shooting and we retaliated. In a flash, four policemen were already down and three others fighting for their lives. We got into the car and drove out immediately but before we could launch into the street, all four tires got punctured by bullets. The army had arrived. Since there was no escape for us, I ordered the guys to surrender. We all dropped our guns and raised our hands in the air. We were all arrested and taken into custody. From police custody, we were taken to court, and from court, we landed here. The same way I would be landing in the grave in a few days.
I'm sure you would be wondering why I'm being sentenced to death by hanging while others are just on life imprisonment. The other three guys claimed that I killed all the policemen which I never did. In all the years I've been hustling in the streets, I have never killed anyone. I have committed many crimes. Yes, but I have never shot anyone. During the hearing in court, I didn't say a word because I already knew it was the end of the road for me. I didn't dispute their lies. I saw my silence as a way of paying for my past sins and saving myself the agony and the guilt of watching another set of people dying because of my actions. I dragged them into the mess from the beginning and if I had listened to them or tried not to convince them when they had decided to quit, we would still be freemen by now. "No matter how interesting a movie is, it will surely end. It is just a pity this one is ending too soon". He said and sighed.
One could hear the sound of a pin if thrown on the floor because of the silence in the room. I was looking at him while he was looking up. You can all imagine what was going through my mind at that moment.
What a pathetic story, I eventually said. Dennis drew his eyes from the roof and looked at me. Then he asked, "Please can you do me one great favor?" I asked what the favor was and then he continued, I need you to find someone for me. It is a big task for a short period like this but I need you to do it for me. There is no one else I could ask. Please do this for me, he pleaded. I couldn't turn my ears to his plea so I agreed. I asked him to tell me how to find the said someone. He told me all the information I needed was in a letter he kept inside a drawer in particular house in Lekki. He gave me the address and told me where to find the key to the house. He stood up from the bed and asked me to pray with him. In our prayers, we thank God and seek the forgiveness of Dennis' sin.
After the prayer, I carried my bag and announced that I was leaving. I waved him goodbye and he waved back but as I was about to leave, he grabbed my hands over the demarcation board and said, In my next life, I wish to have you as a friend and also promise to always listen to your advice. Thank you and he burst into tears. As I was trying to hug him over the board, the warder shouted it was against the rules. We disengaged and I left walking as fast as my leg could carry me with my eyes filled with tears.
To be continued
Thanks for visiting my blog.
