Action thriller: TARASHA Season1 Episode48c

TARASHA
Season1 Episode48c

++++++++
3.45pm

Tarasha drove unusually slow, for three reasons. Firstly, she was sure that Afo and his guys weren't after them. The second reason was that she wasn't with her phone, it had been seized by Afo's men, so she had no GPS to find the right way home. The third and most important reason was Henry's unconsciousness, she could not hit the main road that way without confrontation from the police or other security officials.
Tarasha began to notice a bike trailing slowly behind them. Could it be one of Afo's men who was following them? She thought. Or was it just a coincidence.
Henry sneezed twice. Tarasha's heart was gladdened and she quickly brought the car to a halt at front of a Catholic cathedral.
'What... happened?' Henry managed to ask as he sat up. He placed a palm on his forehead as he was suffering from a serious headache.
'Some passersby came to our aid' Tarasha lied.
'Passersby? What about the police?' Henry asked, joining her at the front seat. He didn't wait for a reply before he continued. 'Did they do anything to you?' He asked taking Tarasha's palms in his.
'No' she replied with a smile.
'I'm sorry I couldn't protect you' Henry apologized with a sorry face but then, he noticed that Tarasha's attention was divided. She was looking into the front mirror. 'What's that?' Henry peeped to see what she was checking.
'Nothing' she covered up with a smile.
'Are they still following us?' Henry asked, undeceived by the smile.
Tarasha was not listening to him again, her eyes was on someone who was walking into the church compound beside them.
'Can you give me just a minute?' She said and opened the door. She stepped out in a hurry and followed into the cathedral's gate.
Tarasha opened the gate slowly and walked in. Her eyes did the searching work, she could see several Reverend sisters walking in and out of the church. She spotted the man who dropped from the bike previously trailing their car. Somewhere by the right side, the man was on the floor with his face buried in his knees. The statue of a mother carrying a baby was right in front of him. She could hear him sobbing as she got closer.
Jefa could feel her approaching, he could hear the silent footsteps in his mind. He knew she would come, his spirit told him so. He turned back to face her with tears in his eyes, their eyes met.
Tarasha could not understand what she felt as their eyes met. The man's eyes communicated so much longing, it seemed that he had just seen something he had been searching for ages. Tarasha's closed her eyes and shook her head to wave off the feeling, it could just be a tactic of the enemy. She dipped her hand into her pocket and it touched the knife as she moved closer. A hand touched her shoulder.
'Evelyn, what are you doing?' Henry asked, staring at the man weeping few metres in front of her.
'Nothing' she turned back to face him, wiggling her hair backwards.
'Let's go please' he took her hands in his and led her back.
'Are we going back to Elymax?' She asked.
'No' he gave her a surprised look. 'We'll go to the police station, then likely to the camera's security corps house'
Tarasha sighed and followed him reluctantly. 'I have a business deal to seal tomorrow'
**
Jefa sniffed in severally as he stared at them walking out. 'Do they work in Elymax?' He asked himself, as that was the only thing he got from their conversation. He got up from his knees slowly and followed after them outside the gate, ignoring the Reverend sister who was approaching him.
+++++
'How come you found no one there?' Sylvester barked at the officers. 'The signal leads us directly to this place'
'Maybe you should check again, the location may have changed' an officer suggested calmly.
'Or call the number' another officer offered.
'The number was not going through the last time I tried to call it' Sylvester said, attempting to dial the number again.
'Then you have to locate them again'
'It's connecting now' Sylvester announced, hushing everyone. He brought out another phone which he could use to determine the location immediately the call was answered.
'Mr Henry' Sylvester's eyes shone brightly as the call was answered. 'Where are you?' Sylvester asked, confirming the location on his second phone also. 'Just find somewhere safe and wait there, we'll meet you in ten minutes'
++++++
9pm
Mallam Jefa was still in his sober state when he returned to his store. His eyes were still full of tears as he walked in through the back door. Jefa noticed that there was no one in the store as he entered. All his goods were still intact except for some cups and plates that were displaced and found on the floor. That was unusual. He turned his gaze to the sitting area, it was sure from the look of things that his customers had left the place in commotion and panic. There were bottles of unfinished beer on the floor, unfinished food on the table, and packets of untouched cigarettes. Maybe a fight occurred, he thought. No, it couldn't be a fight. Some people would have stayed back after settling the fight. Whatever it was, Jefa was less concerned now. He had just found his long lost sister.
He let out a deep sigh as he sank into one of the visitors seat and thronged his head backwards. Omotara had not only maintained the same face she had when she was young, she also maintained the same manner of walking and voice. Only that everything now looked and sounded mature.
*** FLASHBACK ***
May 17, 2014
10pm
Jeffery watched in tears as their house razed in flames, the remains of his parents and two younger brothers burning in it. He and the remnant of his family were put in a large bus with several other kids in it, most of them weeping uncontrollably for the loss of their families too. The bus had no seats except for the driver's, so the kids were made to sit and lie on the ground.
Jeffery eyes met with his younger brother's where the boy was kept in the same section with his age mates. The lad, who was next after Omotara had no tears in his eyes like the other kids, he just stood still with his arms folded, mouth pouted and a mean face.
Jeffery, as the oldest son felt the need to protect the remaining two left of his younger ones, but how he will do that was a mystery to him. With the mean looking men in the bus with them, he wasn't even sure of where they were been taken to or what they were going to be used for.
Jeffery's eyes kept wandering around and he found Tara, seated on the floor and soaked in her tears. The blood stains on her clothes were visible and thick enough to make one throw up at the sight.
The bus entered a pothole and shook, some of the kids who were standing fell heavily to the floor. Soon, a rhythmic cry soon begun from the set of younger ones. The terrorists had no problem with the noise, the bus was sound proof.
Jerry was still standing, he didn't fall like the others, only a few staggers and he was back on his feet. Neither did he learn any lesson and decide to sit even when Jeffery was making signals for him to sit.
Jeffery got up and peeped through the window, a knock landed on his head, sending him back immediately. He held his head and winced in pain as he sat back on the floor. He glanced at one of his age mates who sat by his side and was pinching him. The look on the boys face was a question of what Jeffery saw outside.
'They've taken us out of town already' Jeffery whispered. 'But I don't know where they're taking us to'
After some minutes, the bus came to a halt and the door was opened. Two of the men standing in the bus with them stepped out. Soon, Jeffery could hear the men speaking to some others in Hausa language which he couldn't understand then.
The men returned into the bus after two minutes and began to usher out some of the kids. Jerry was one of the kids taken out of the bus. Jeffery stood up in panic and peeped through the window. The kids were being ushered into another bus, a smaller one.
'Kai' was all he heard as his head was hit by the butt of a gun. He began to see stars as he fell slowly to the floor, his eyes met with Omotara's eyes and then he blacked out.  That was the last time he saw his siblings.
He woke up several hours later to find himself laying on the floor in a room with other teenagers like himself. He struggled to sit up and glanced at their faces one after the other. He refrained from asking questions, it was obvious that they were all captives of the same terrorist group.
**PRESENT**
'Are you crazy?' A policeman stood at Jefa's front shouting.
Jefa looked up and found himself surrounded by six officers. 'What?' He asked.
'Are you Mallam Jefa, the owner of this store?'
'Yes'
'Your attention is needed at our station' the officer said as he brought the handcuffs forward
.
++++++
8am, next morning
Henry stretched and yawned like a new born baby on the bed. The event of the day before had weakened him so much that he had slept for almost twelve hours, something he had not done in years. He sat up and pressed the button beside the bed and the room was brightened by the white bulb. Henry's mouth opened in surprise as he looked around the large room. He had been too tired to notice how large and beautiful the room was when he was ushered in the last night. He never imagined that there was such a well furnished room in the corporation's quarters.
A phone rang on the stool beside the bed. He picked it up and checked the caller. It was an unsaved number. Who owned the phone and why was it by his side? He wondered. Maybe it was placed there for his use, he thought as he finally answered the call.
'Good morning Mr Henry' Sylvester's voice came through.
'Good morning sir' Henry replied.
'How was your night? Hope you're feeling better right now?'
'Yes, thanks. I'm feeling quite better'
'Alright, I called to inform you that some officers would come and pick you guys for medical check up in twenty minutes time and they'll likely ask you some questions about yesterday too'
'But... How will they come pick us for check up in thirty minutes time? I'm just waking up and I'm feeling very hungry now'
'Your bath water and breakfast has been prepared already. Go and inform your girlfriend about all I've said so that she can prepare too'
His girlfriend? Henry wondered as he got up from the bed. He knew that Sylvester was referring to Evelyn as his girlfriend and he smiled at the thought that people were already taking them to be lovers. He put on a shirt and a short and walked out of his room to the next room where Evelyn slept. He waved at the maids moving around as he faced the entrance of the room.
He let out a deep sigh before he rapped on the door and waited for a response. He knocked again after getting no response at the expected time, he leaned on the door and placed his ear to the door to listen if there was any movement in the room. He knocked again, this time louder. Could it be that Tarasha was still deeply asleep?
He placed his hand on the door knob and noticed that it was loose, a sign that the door was not locked. He turned it and opened the door slowly, poking his head in to peep. The room was neat and well kept but no one was in it. He walked further inside and closed the door behind. 'Evelyn' he called as he proceeded towards the bed. He checked the floor beside the bed, there was no sign of Evelyn. 'Evelyn, are you in?' He called again as he approached the restroom. He opened and entered into it, Evelyn was nowhere to be found. His heart began to beat faster as he proceeded out of the room.
'Has anyone seen Evelyn this morning?' He asked the maid cleaning up the living room.
'The lady you came in with last night?' The maid asked to be sure. Henry nodded. 'She should be in her room. She just woke up when I was mopping the passage'
'When was that?' Henry asked.
'About one hour ago, I saw her peeping outside through the door and I approached her to ask if she needed anything. She asked me to make her a cup of hot tea'
'Is that all?'
'Yes, I've not seen her since I made her tea.' The maid paused and placed a hand on her waist. 'Is she not in the room?' She asked with a raised eyebrow.
'Yes' Henry replied as he dialed a number on the phone with him. 'Join me check if she's around the house'
++++++
Tarasha adjusted her skirt properly in front of the mirror and brushed her hair backwards before putting on the suit jacket. She sat on the bed to put on the heeled shoes and got up to check the mirror again. She was looking smart and ready for the meeting.
Her plan was simple. Strike a deal with the man and make him take her to his cotton farm which she had already sent Benny and Cole to survey and fix several possible escape routes for her. She had made her investigation and found out that the only place Jubril Lawal went without his bodyguard and thugs was his farms. That was the best place to end the man's life without any struggle.
Tarasha sat back in the bed and placed her laptop on her lap, she opened it up and pressed the boot button. After the laptop came on, she opened her contact book and searched for Jubril's number dialing it on the phone she had taken from the maid's pocket in the camera's corporation house.
'Good morning Mr Jubril' she said as soon as the call was answered.
'Good morning Miss Evelyn' Jubril recognised her voice immediately. 'What happened to your line? I've been trying to reach you'
'I lost the phone, I had to borrow someone's phone to call you'
'Oh! Sorry about that'
'Thank you sir' Tarasha said, clearing her throat. 'I'll be on my way for our meeting in few minutes time, I just want to...'
'Humm...' Jubril interrupted. 'That's one of the reasons I've been trying to reach you. The meeting would no longer hold this morning'
Tarasha sighed loudly.
'I'm sorry but I sent something to your email since I couldn't reach you on phone. My birthday is tomorrow and I'm organizing a banquet in the evening. Let's meet there, maybe we can finalize our discussion immediately after the celebration'
'Okay' Tarasha seemed less enthusiastic. 'How do I attend?'
'Just check your email inbox, I've instructed my PA to forward every detail to you. I even asked him to organize a personal car that would bring you from your location to the venue'
'Oh! Thanks. I'll check my mailbox' Tarasha said and ended the call. She flung the phone on the bed and bent to take off her shoes. Then she fell back into the bed, thinking. Jubril Lawal's case had tarried for long, the banquet was going to be a perfect opportunity for her. She began to draw up plans in her mind. She wouldn't accept his transport plans, No. She would hire a car by herself and Cole would be the driver.
...to be continued
+++++++
Previously on Tarasha Season1 Episode48b

Action thriller: TARASHA Season1 Episode48b

Tarasha
Season1 Episode48b

+++++++++++
3.20pm
Mallam Jefa was surprised at the manner at which the red car who had just driven into his neighbour's compound drove out of the gate recklessly. The car had just gotten to the front of his shop when it stopped and the new driver, a lady came out of the car. She turned round to check the tyres, the right back one was bad. She entered back into the car and drove off without bothering to change it
Jefa rubbed his eyes vigorously, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. 'Have I seen that lady before?' He mumbled to himself as he walked out of his store and stood at the side of the road. His customers that were unattended to were already getting surprised at why he abandoned them to peep a car whose movement or owner wasn't his business.
'No, it... can't be' Jefa mumbled to himself again as his body vibrated all over. Urine began to pass out of his body involuntarily. He raced back into his store and hurriedly rolled out a bike.
'Mallam Jefa, what are you doing with my bike?' Someone shouted at him.
Jefa ignored and started the engine, he sped off immediately in the same direction the car went.
+++++
Sylvester arrived at the black gate in his car with two police vans at his back exactly by three thirty pm. The police officers jumped off immediately and some rushed to Mallam Jefa's store. Boys who were smoking, drinking and eating at the store began to run helter skelter to evade police arrest. The officers were able to capture quite a number of them.
Some officers had already launched into the building. The compound seemed empty but there were traces of blood and signs of a fight. Three officers proceeded into the building carefully. The saw a body laying face flat, lifeless on the floor. The body was turned upward and the police took note of the bullet sent into the chest.
'Is he?' One officer spoke in a very low voice to his companion.
The other replied in negative with a wave of the hand.
'I think the victim was previously tied up here' another officer said in a low voice, picking up the ropes. 'But it doesn't look like it was only one person who was tied up'
'Maybe this was also one of the victims' an officer suggested, pointing to the lifeless body with bullet in the chest.
'I hope not'. The officers began to proceed with caution into the others rooms in the building. Two other men were called to join them from outside the building. A loud groan startled them.
'Did you hear that?' An officer asked as the groan came again.
'Some people are surely inside this house and they're unaware of our presence.' The officers dispersed themselves into the other rooms with great determination to find the criminals.
+++++++
'Doc, you have to stop that treatment for now'  Audu, a long bearded stout man who was second in command to Afo spoke.
Afo who laid on the bed receiving treatment turned to Audu in surprise, demanding an explanation with the look in his eyes. Afo's neck injury which had cleaned but not bandaged made it difficult for him to turn his head. The Doctor also demanded an explanation.
'The police are around, they're in the main building and we could attract them here if we keep making loud sounds'
Afo nodded in agreement. The Doctor turned to Afo, 'would you try to maintain calm while I treat you?'
'What the hell is maintain calm?' Afo slammed at him as he tried to sit up. 'The injury is so painful, I can't keep quiet completely. We have to wait for the police to leave'
With that, the Doctor got up from the bedside, picked up his instruments and walked away.
Afo turned back to Audu. 'Is the underground door properly locked?'
'Yes, it is. The police would never notice that there's a door there' Audu replied confidently. 'I don't just want them to have a clue that there's an underground facility'
'That's right' Afo commented, getting up to his feet. He hopped in pain to the fridge and took out a bottle of water.
'You should have brought those idiots to this place' Audu spoke after watching Afo gulp down the whole contents of the bottle.
'I underestimated them' Afo replied with a tone of regret. 'I didn't expect such strength from a girl'
'It will be difficult to kill them now. They would be more careful and the police would also keep an eye on them'
'I know, we have to inform Dare to be careful' Afo picked up his phone and sat back on the bed. His phone rang before he could dial anything.
'Hello Dare, I was about to call you'
'Yes, how far Afo?' Dare's voice came cheerfully. 'Did you record their shouts and screams?'
'I'm sorry Dare, they escaped' Afo spoke in a pleading manner.
'They did what???'
'They are also aware that you're behind this. So be careful please. I promise to make it up to you' Afo ended the call without waiting to hear another reply.
++++++
'What's that?' Jubril Lawal asked as he walked down the stairs of the duplex. Dare was unaware that his he raised his voice loud enough for someone else to hear.
'Nothing Dad, nothing.' Dare put on a fake smile and stood up to welcome his Dad.
'You're sure there's nothing wrong?' Dare nodded. 'Then who were you talking to?' Jubril pressed on.
Dare stared at his father, the unwillingness to answer the question was clearly seen on his face.
Jubril smiled. 'Don't worry son, you don't need to give me a reply, it's not my business anyways.'
Dare gave a forced smile.
'So how's work?' The father asked.
'Fine sir, how about yours?'
'Fine also' Jubril smiled again.
Dare was feeling uneasy. His Dad's smiles were unusual and getting too much. 'You said you wanted to see me'
'Yes son. It's my birthday next tomorrow and I've decided to organize a banquet' Jubril paused, allowing Dare to absorb the first part of the information. 'I'm inviting my friends and business partners. So I want you to work with Debo in organizing the banquet for me'
Dare found it hard to believe what he just heard. He was tempted to almost ask if his father was just marking a joke. 'You want to organize a banquet?' He asked softly.
'Yes son, what do you think?' Jubril Lawal paused and stared straight into his son's eyes.
... to be continued
Previously on Tarasha Season1 Episode48a

Action thriller: TARASHA Season1 Episode48a

Tarasha
Season1 Episode48a

~~~~~~
3pm
Afo continued to hit his revolver on his palm in a rhythmic manner as he revolved around the escaping captives. 'So what were you trying to do?' He shouted at them.
Evelyn clung to Henry's arm like a scared child. They were surrounded by four armed men who stared at them without pity.
'How did you cut the ropes and knock out those two guys?' Afo asked again, taking a look at each of his men. 'Or did they compromise?'
Afo moved closer to Henry and Tarasha. He placed his gun on Henry's nose and Henry froze in fear. 'You're brave right?' Afo continued to taunt. 'I would have killed you right now, but I'll take you inside first, for two reasons. First, I don't have a silencer here and secondly, I was ordered to make your death slow and painful'
He pushed Henry backwards on the nose with the gun and moved to Tarasha. 'Hmm...' Afo licked his lips wickedly. He placed the gun on her forehead and dragged it down her nose, lips to her neck. He then used his left hand to pull down her jacket's zip revealing her inner armless top. 'You seem to have a nice body' he said as he stared at the curves on her chest.
Afo dipped his hand in his pocket and picked out a knife. He placed it on Tarasha's top and began to cut it downwards.
Henry couldn't stand what his brain was communicating to him, this was the same thing he had seen some years ago and it was replaying again. His sister's clothes was torn on that fateful day with a knife too, but the difference was that his sister was held by two other men.
Then recognition hit him, he remembered Afo. Afo was also one of the men who had joined Dare in assaulting and murdering his sister back in the university. Hormones rushed into his brain, his eyes was filled with anger and his body vibrated as he tried to hold himself back
Afo was getting down to the breast level when Henry sent a blow to his hand, making the knife fall off.
All eyes turned to him. Afo smiled, surprised by his audacity. 'Bastard!' Afo cursed as he sent a blow to Henry's chest and followed it up by using the butt on his head. Henry lost consciousness immediately.
Afo smiled and turned back to Tarasha. She began to move backwards slowly like someone who was deeply terrified. Afo's boys formed a wall at her back to prevent her from further moment. The look on her face was like that of an helpless child.
'Please, I'll give you my body. Don't hurt me' she spoke in a pleading manner, trying to buy more time. 'Let's go inside and I'll submit myself to you'
'I don't need you to submit yourself or give yourself to me. I'm taking you by myself' Afo laughed wickedly.
He moved close to her and stretched his hand towards her torn inner top. She stopped him with her palm.
Surprisingly, he couldn't push further. It was as if the strength in the girls arm was equal to his own. He felt insulted and motioned his hand to slap her but she dodged. She bent down and delivered an uppercut to his groin. The huge man fell on one knee, wincing in pain.
Tarasha's defense of her self took Afo's men by surprise and before they could react properly Tarasha had driven a knife into the big Afo's right foot, sticking him to the ground and she was holding his neck with another knife close to it.
'His head would come down if anyone moves or cocks his gun' Tarasha gave a serious warning to Afo guys who were pointing a gun at her. Blood was already dripping from Afo's neck as the knife was so close to his skin.
Afo made signals to his men with his eyes, scared to talk and deepen the knife's entrance into his neck. His men gradually began to put down their guns.
'Good. Bring them over here' Tarasha motioned one of the guys to pack all the guys and drop the guns close to where she stood. 'Now remove every other weapon you have with you'
Afo's men raised up their hands in a surrendering fashion, trying to communicate that they had no other weapon with them. Tarasha stared at them for a moment, scrutinizing their pockets from her point.
'You' she signified to  the one at the middle with her head. 'Take out that revolver behind your Jean'
The guy in the middle was shocked, he used his hand to beat his chest to confirm if she was really talking to him.
'Yes, Idio*t! Take out that revolver inside your trouser. The guy quickly loosened his belt and dipped in his hand to bring out the gun. He threw it where the other guns were and raised back his hands. 'Now, turn your backs' Tarasha ordered and the guns turned immediately.
'Okay...' She said, searching their bodies with her eyes. 'Take him into your car' she ordered them to lift Henry into the car.
'When you place him at the back, then drive the car down here' she ordered again, bending down to pick a gun.
She stared at them one after the other, she felt the urge to drop each of them. But no, it would only cause more problems. It may get her deeply involved with the police which she needed to avoid. The car was parked right beside her with Henry laid on the back seat. The driver came out and joined the rest of his men whose hands were raised up.
Tbc... .
Previously on Tarasha Season1 Episode47c

JAMB says No extension of registration deadline

Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB will not extend the registration period. JAMB has so far registered 600, 000 candidates for the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) across the country.

Dr Fabian Benjamin, Head of Public Relations JAMB, made this known on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bwari, FCT.


According to him, “we have already registered 600, 000 candidates since sales of form began March 20, how can there be inadequate centres or lack of manpower, when we have more than 400 centres.

“There is no such delay as alleged by some candidates, the issue here is that plenty people are registering for the UTME at the same time.

“The internet is working, if it is not working how then we arrived at the total of 600, 000 that have so far been duly registered.

“Large numbers of applicants seeking to register for UTME go to the Banks allocated for the exercise that is why there seem to be some form of delays and irregularities.

“Before we used three banks and now it is 15 banks because the period is short, but we are not going to extend the registration period, before deadline every candidate will register,” he said.

Action thriller: TARASHA Season1 Episode47c

Tarasha
Episode 47c

+++++
2.30pm
In a large uncompleted building, an abandoned one. Boys could be seen sitting on the window edges, smoking Indian hemp and drinking. Another guy was parading the compound with a cigarette in his mouth.
A policeman stood right in front of the compound's gate. He looked around the environment to see if anyone was watching him before opening the gate slowly and walking in.
'Hey you!' The parading guy was the first to accost him. The other guys also jumped down from the windows, alert. 'What do you want?'
'Your boss, Afo is waiting for me' the policeman replied.
'Okay' the parading guy nodded and signaled to the other guys while the policeman proceeded to the building. One of the guys led the policeman to their boss.
Afo was seated on a set of neatly arranged six inches blocks. A half unclad lady was seated on his laps.
Afo noticed the policeman's entrance and engaged the girl in a kiss before dropping her off his laps. He then smacked her on the buttocks playfully before asking her to excuse them.
The policeman turned to look at the girl walking away and she eyed him mockingly. He turned again to look at Afo who's body was thrice of the girl's He shook his head in pity for the lady, wondering how bad she would scream when Big Afo starts banging her mercilessly.
'Miko' Afo hailed, extending a handshake to his guest.
'Afo' Miko replied unenthusiastically, still looking at the girl who was walking slowly away, rolling her buttocks in the process.
'Miko!' Afo hailed again and tapped his guest playfully on the shoulder. 'Do you want me to arrange an "opeke" like this for you"
'No' Miko shook his head in disagreement. 'I don't need that'
'Well, that's your problem' Afo brought out a cigarette and his lighter. 'Why have you come here in your uniform today?'
'There was no time for me to change before coming, I had to come like this'
'Okay, so what have you come here for?'
'What have I come here for?' The officer asked with a look of surprise on his face. 'Didn't we have an agreement?'
'What agreement?' Afo asked, blowing some smoke into the air.
'Come on Afo. Didn't I release a car and some uniforms to you today?'
'Oh! That?' Afo feigned surprise.
'Yes, I've come to get it. That's our agreement'
'Ermm... It's true. That's our agreement, but...'
'But what?' Miko was getting impatient.
'I still want to use it'
'No, I have to leave here with everything now' Miko disagreed boldly.
'Calm down Miko, I'll triple your money'
'It's not about money, I'll get into trouble if I don't return with them this evening'
'Then don't return at all' Afo said coldly.
'What do you mean?'
'Go somewhere else'
'No, I can't '
'You can'
'No, the police would find me anywhere I run to hide' Miko retorted.
'I know somewhere where they won't find you, I can help you get there'
'I'm not...' Miko couldn't complete his statement as a bullet sank into the back of his head.
'Take out the idiot' Afo commanded the same guy who shot from the back.
Afo took in another large amount of smoke as turned back. He picked out his phone and dialed a number. 'Mr. Dare'
'Afo' Dare answered from the other end.
'How far? Hope you'll keep to time, we are expecting you by 4pm like you said'
'No, I'm sorry' Dare sounded down. 'My Dad just called me, he wants me to meet with him after work immediately'
'It's okay, so should we still wait for you?'
'No please, drop the both of them'
'Alright'
'You can do that immediately, make sure that their death is slow and painful, especially for the man. And do make sure that their bodies are never found'
'Okay, I will ensure that' the call ended. Afo dipped the phone back into his pocket and finished the stick of cigarette before proceeding out of the uncompleted building.
+++++
'Come, let's get out of here' Henry motioned Evelyn who was already coming towards him.
They locked hands and crossed over the dead body at the entrance of the room. They began to head back in direction of the main door, Henry leading the way and guiding her with his gun.
'I can't find them anywhere.' Henry and Evelyn paused as they got to the first room where they were tied before. The man who had gone to check the backyard was returning through the entrance.
Henry cocked his gun, he made Evelyn to hide behind his body and got set to take down the approaching enemy. The door opened and the guy came in unsuspecting, a bullet entered into his chest immediately.
Henry jumped up and rejoiced with Tarasha as the second enemy fell flat. 'Let's get out of here now' he said to Tarasha who was looking indifferent.
They opened the door and began to run to the gate. The gate creaked, Evelyn and Henry paused in fear. Then the gate began to open slowly, a car was behind. Their fears were confirmed, Afo and his other men had returned.
... to be continued

Previously on Tarasha Season1 Episode47b

Action thriller: TARASHA Season1 Episode47b

Tarasha
Episode 47b

+++++
02.30pm
Tarasha motioned slowly to Henry, her hand slowly finding its way into the pockets where she hid the knifes. Henry stood still, puzzled as she approached him. The look in her eyes was unexplainable as well as the atmosphere around. Just two steps away from him, the gate clanged and she stopped. She removed her hand from the pocket and turned back. Their abductors were returning.
Tarasha's strange mood suddenly returned to normal. Her eyes blinked severally as she let out a deep breath, an unusual calmness overwhelmed her .
Henry quickly walked to the window, he opened the curtain and peeped, two of the guys were returning inside. He motioned back to Tarasha and grabbed her right hand. 'We have to get out of here' he said and dragged her along with him. They walked further into the other rooms in the house, all the rooms were dark except one that was brightened a little by a dim torchlight. Henry picked up the torch and pointed it round the room, looking for something to use for their defence.
The main entrance door creaked open. The smile on the guys' faces changed into a deep frown immediately as they saw that their captives had gotten loose already.
'Damn!' The first guy cursed under his breath and brought out his gun. The other man followed suit.
'I believe they are still around, we didn't stay long at Mallam Jefa's.' The second put in.
'Afo would kill us if they escape' the first guy whispered. He bent down to pick something, a wristwatch. 'They went this way' he said, pointing towards the direction their captives took.
'The backyard door is closed' the other added softly. 'So, they must be in the house' he brought out a phone and turned on the flashlight. He returned it into his pocket to hide the light, planning to bring it out when it's necessary.
The guys proceeded in slow steps in the same direction their captives took.
Tarasha sat at the corner of the room, looking pale like an helpless person. Henry felt the need and the responsibility to protect her. He already found a rod, with the help of the dim torchlight, a huge long one whose proper use was to close tightly the door at the back.
He positioned himself behind the wall by the entrance of the room, planning to take by surprise anyone that enters first.
The room was silent so the slow steps and breathings from the guys could be heard softly by Henry as they approached the room.
Henry raised up the rod in anticipation as someone got behind the door and touched the handle. The person paused, Henry paused too and strained his ear to listen. 'You... backyard' was all he heard. There was another pause again, footsteps could be heard walking fast away from the door. Then the handle was turned and the door opened.
The first thing that entered was the ray of light from the flashlight, then the person's right leg and the whole body. Henry landed the rod on the back of the man's head and he went down immediately, his gun falling away, blood began to ooze out of his head. Henry quickly dropped the rod and picked the gun. He checked if it was loaded and gave a brief smile before bending to search the man's body. He found a phone. He squatted and began to type into it.
'I've been kidnapped, report to the police and let them locate this phone number, that's where I'm kept. Henry' Henry quickly sent a text to his boss, Sylvester.
+++++
Sylvester hurried into the police station with the security guard running after him.
'Hello officers' Sylvester greeted as he got to the reception stand. The officers who recognised him saluted back and gave him attention. 'I heard you brought in one of my new workers to your station today'
'When exactly?' One of the officers asked with a frown.
'Few hours ago, between ten am and twelve noon' Sylvester replied looking to the security man for confirmation.
'Yes' the shivering security man replied.
'Sir, are you sure it's our station? We've not brought anyone in today'
Sylvester turned to the guard. 'Please explain everything to them, the same way you explained to him'
The guard began his explanation in details of how the officers parked beside the corporation and one of them approached him and asked him questions and how they also took Sylvester when he drove out of the gate.
'And they said it's Division A?' An officer interrupted.
'Yes'
'Nobody has been brought in here today and none of our officers have gone out to make an arrest along your direction today' the officer spoke after checking through the records in a book.
'Are you sure of what you're saying?' Sylvester asked the guard again.
'Yes'
'Why didn't you tell me early ?'
'I couldn't get to you, so I told the secretary' the guard replied.
'You told Bola?'
'Yes'
'But she never told me anything' Sylvester said and turned back to the officers. 'Please can I see any of your senior officers?'
'Let's check is anyone is available first' one of the officers said and walked away from the reception.
'Have you called the person who was arrested on phone?' Another officer asked.
'Yes, his line is switched off. That's what's making me alarmed, I believe I'm the first person he'll call if he gets into any trouble'
'Hmm... But you're the Boss of the Security cameras corporation. Have you checked the tapes?'
'There's no record. I'm suspecting that he has been kidnapped by the same people who have been hacking our security, I only want to confirm if he's here first before I make a report'
'Okay'
Sylvester's phone vibrated in his pocket. He brought it out and checked. It was a text message.
Tbc.....
Previously on Tarasha Season1 Episode47a

FG set to commence online registration of unemployed Nigerians.

Federal Government will tomorrow begin online registration of unemployed Nigerians – www.jobsforall.ng.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that registration of unemployed persons in the country will begin on Wednesday April 5th 2017.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Edmund Onwuliri on Monday.

According to him, the registration is in compliance with the third mandate of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), which requires it “to obtain and maintain a data bank on employment and vacancies in the country with a view to acting as a clearing house to link job seekers with vacancies in collaboration with other government agencies.

“The online portal which goes live on Wednesday April 5, 2017, is designed to capture the relevant details of any unemployed person. It will equally serve as a job exchange portal that will link job seekers and employers.

“There will be a practical demonstration of the workings of the portal at the NDE stand at the ongoing 28th edition of the Enugu International Trade on Thursday”, he said.

He gave the portal’s address as: www.jobsforall.ng

2017 UTME: JAMB now accepts payment via Remita (How to do it).

Candidates can now make payment for 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME fees via Remita. Candidates  can now purchase the pin for registration from the comfort of their homes.

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates can now make payment for the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) fees via Remita.



HOW TO MAKE PAYMENT FOR 2017 UTME FEES VIA REMITA.
1. Go to http://www.jamb.org.ng/eFacility/Login and login with your credentials or create an account if you don’t have one.
2. Navigate to the left side and click on ‘Sales of Form’ and the select ‘UTME Examination’.

3. On the payment Options page, click on ‘Remita Payment’.

4. Click on ‘Continue to Payment’ to purchase the 2017 JAMB UTME Form via Remita.

5. Pay easily with any of the options below:

• With this link, Download Remita mobile App . and pay directly from your bank account or with your Debit  card
• Internet Banking of Select Banks
• Process your RRR at any Bank Branch

6. After payment your PIN will be sent to your JAMB profile email address. You can also view the PIN via the UTME examination menu on the portal or The online receipt of your Remita  App

• Note: You MUST pay with your JAMB account created on this platform. Paying via another account will render your required service tied to the paying account.

2017 UTME: JAMB reduced number of questions to 180, Exam hours to 2.

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB has reduced number of questions and time required to sit for the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

As from 2017, candidates sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination would spend two hours instead of three hours, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board said on Wednesday.

JAMB examination on the Use of English previously had 100 questions but has now been reduced to 60 questions, while the other three subjects now has 40 questions each, making a total of 180 questions.


The Registrar/Chief Executive of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, announced the changes in Kaduna during the commencement of a strategic planning retreat on monitoring, supervision and evaluation of 2017 UTME with the theme, ‘Inclusiveness and sensitisation of key external actors.’

According to him, the reduction in hours was in line with international standards and best practices where candidates are required to sit for an examination such as UTME for not more than two hours.

He said JAMB has also made some changes in the use of computer for the test.

“From the general feedback on the adoption of the Computer Based Test mode, we have noted the challenge of computer low level literacy of some candidates, especially with the phobia for the mouse. This has been responsible partly for the call by some people for reversal to the Paper and Pencil Test mode. In order to ensure equity and level playing field for all candidates taking the UTME, JAMB has designed a system that will allow candidates to use only eight keys without the use of the mouse.

“All the candidates need to do is to press the letters A,B,C,D for responses(answer) to questions and keys: P = Previous question, N = Next question, S = Submit responses when candidate has finished examination R = Reverse (do not intend to go further to submit again).”

JAMB also said special privileges would be accorded to blind candidates in the UTME, including “the transportation and accommodation of every blind candidate and one guide.”

Action thriller: TARASHA Season1 Episode47a

Tarasha
Episode 47a

**1.55pm
'Hmmm...' Henry kept shouting out words which were inaudible as he struggled on the seat he was tied to. His chair and Tarasha's were placed backing each other. She was also tied in the same manner. Each legs tied to corresponding leg of the chair and both hands tied together at the back of the chair and their mouths covered with a large plaster.
'Ooh shut up you idiot!' One of their abductors barged into the room angrily and smacked Henry on the face.
'Leave him alone' another one said as he came in bare chested with a red jersey hanging around his neck. 'Let him scream all he can now, he might not have the opportunity to scream again until his next life'
The first guy hissed and turned towards the main entrance followed closely by the second who hurriedly put on his shirt. Soon they were out of the compound, the sound of the gate closing could be heard.
Henry became calm all of a sudden, his mind was full of sadness, for Evelyn and his parents. Evelyn was just an innocent girl whom he put into trouble. His parents also depended on him as their only source of joy and proof of their parenthood. He could not think of what would happen if he was killed, his parents could die just from the shock of the news.
He struggled fruitlessly again to set himself free, shaking the chair vigorously, his head hit Evelyn's. She gave a soft groan, the only sound that she made after several hours that they had been tied.
**2.00pm
Tarasha could still feel the steel on her wrist, now she could sense that it was time to use it. She used the rope tied on the wrist to push it down and it cut her jacket and fell in between her palms, causing a small cut on her middle finger. She took a hold of the knife's handle and carefully moved it up and down the rope, slicing it slowly. Her hands got free in a minute.
She stretched her fingers before removing the covering on her mouth. The heavy breath she let out after got Henry's attention, he suspected that her mouth was free and made some noise to alert her in case it really was. She looked at him but ignored and continued to cut the rope off her leg. After the rope was off, she got up and stretched her legs. Henry noise was louder as he was fully aware that she was now free.
She hid back her knife before she walked to him and took off the covering on his lips, then she bent down to loose the ropes on his legs.
'How did you loose your ropes?' Henry asked impatiently without waiting for Evelyn to finish setting him free.
'They didn't tie it as tight as yours is.' She said after setting him free totally.
Henry got up and stretched his body tiredly. He looked straight into her eyes but she turned away and walked towards the window to peep.
'Thank God' Henry said. Tarasha stood suddenly still. Henry did not notice and he continued. 'Thank God, I'm sure he'll still get us out of here alive.' He turned to look at Evelyn as she wasn't responding to him
Their eyes met. Henry had never seen such fury like he did on anyone's eyes. He couldn't explain it but he knew there was a kind of dangerous anger in her. Then he remembered that he had just given "God" the credit.
Tarasha suddenly remembered the reason for all the knifes in her pockets. This could just be the right time to drain out life from his body, she thought.
+++++++++
Mallam Jefa carefully arranged his the seats in his joint. Very soon, several of his customers would begin to troop in to fill their bellies. He deals in toasted bread, tea, noodles, roasted cow skin (ponmo), "suya" and assorted drinks.
Jefa was well loved and patronised around the area. Many atimes, his customers would not leave after filling themselves but would stay and have fun as it would turn to a large gathering. Jefa always had to send most of them away when they began to lit their cigarettes or drink alcohol heavily to avoid violence and destruction of property.
Mallam Jefa whose real name was Jeffery was not an Hausa man nor does he dress like one, he only earned the nick as  a result of his job, height and popularity among young men of the Hausa tribe.
Merely looking at Mallam Jefa's face, one who conclude that he was in his early fifties or close to sixties as wrinkles and spots had begun to show on his face. But it was not to be so, Mallam Jefa was just in his early thirties, a young man who looked so aged and troubled because of problems and several misfortunes that had befallen him in the past.
Very jovial and kind he was to everyone but a closer look at him would reveal his sorrowful mind. One who's heart wasn't at peace, one who only tried to feign happiness even though he never was.
As Jefa opened the window, he could see two of his customers stroll out of their compound which was just about three metres from his joint. He knew they were coming to him as they turned to his direction. He quickly cleaned two seats for them and returned to his stand room where he attends to customers.
'Mallam Jefa' one of the guys hailed, putting up his hands as they strolled into the neatly made wooden building.
'Hey!' Jefa hailed back. 'Welcome my guys'
'Thank you' the first guy said as they took their seats. The other guys just continued to puff his cigarette in silence.
'What do you want me to offer you?' Jefa asked.
The guys whispered to themselves. 'What do we take?'
'I'll go with moi moi and bread first, then a bottle of beer later" the cigarette puffing guy spoke.
'You want to stay here and drink?' The other guy asked in low tones. 'You know we've got to watch over those "dogs" back there'
'I know' came the reply in a harsh tone. 'There's no problem, they can never get away with those ropes used to tie them'
'What of if Afo comes?'
'Afo would return by three thirty and this is just two pm' he said after glancing at his wristwatch. 'We still have a lot of time'
'You guys are selling dogs now?' Jefa asked innocently as he served their order.
'No, we're just keeping them for someone' the first guy replied with a smile.
'Okay now' Jefa smiled back.
Several customers trooped in one after the other and Jefa soon got busy. His first two customers did not stay as long as expected, they paid him and walked away by exactly two thirty pm.
....
Kindly drop your comments
Tbc.. ..

Previously on Tarasha Season1 Episode46c