The Mile 3 Murder Mystery

Commissioner Obed

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Obed held a press conference just hours after the car attack that killed Evelyn Kalada.

He informed the press that it was a deliberate act of terror meant to bring fear to the people of Port Harcourt. Obed was standing before some newspaper reporters.

As questions poured in from the reporters, he reassured the public that his officers will work around the clock to capture the culprits and that the police have increased security across key locations in the city. He promised to get those responsible for the bombings.

Obed urged citizens to come forward with any information, no matter how small. He emphasized the importance of vigilance.

Obed: We all have a role in keeping our neighborhood safe. If you see something, say something.

That night , Obobo, a respected member of the Demboys gang, was walking home after a meeting. Unknown to him, members of the rival gang, Joymen had tracked his movement.As he passed a shadowy corner, a black SUV with Abiye and his crew inside moved close.

The car window rolled down, and one of Abiye's boys shouted, "This is for Evelyn!"

A barrage of bullets erupted, hitting Obobo before he could react. The SUV sped away, leaving bystanders screaming and diving for cover, the sound of screeching tires faded into the distance.The SUV stopped at a warehous. Joymrn has successfully carried out the assassination of Obobo, a member of their bitter rivals, the Demboys.Abiye and his gang members brought out from the SUV, bottles of expensive liquor and cartons of fast food and moved them into the warehouse. They know the news will spread like wildfire. By morning, the Demboys will be scrambling to contain their anger. They raised bottles of whiskey in celebration . The warehouse erupted in cheers, the gang members slapping each other on the back and exchanging high-fives.

The hit on Obobo was as much about revenge as it was about sending a message to Demboys that the Joymen were not to be toyed with.Abiye's men laughed and recounted the event of the night. Abiye stood near the table, basking in glow, mimicking the moment Obobo saw the gun barrel pointed at him. They roared with laughter, clinking their glasses.

It was almost midnight and Joymen gang members have finished celebrating and were preparing to leave the warehouse when they heard the distant sound of tires screeching outside the warehouse. Members of Joymen scrambled for cover as the roar of engines grew louder. Suddenly, the warehouse was lighted by headlights, and gunfire erupted. Bullets tore through the thin walls, shattering bottles and piercing crates.

Led by their new leader, Isdore, the Demboys registered their presence with gun fire. Abiye grabbed a pistol from the table and took cover, firing towards the attackers.The atmosphere turned into chaos as gang members returned fire.The gunfight went on for hours . Demboys were persistent, but Joymen held their grounds. Eventually, the attackers retreated, leaving a trail of burned rubbers and shattered glasses behind them.The warehouse was in shambles, with bullet holes. Several members of Joymen were injured. Abiye surveyed the damages at the warehouse. He knew this was only the beginning. Obobo was just a start, now a gang war has started.

The Governor of Rivers State Okutu stood at the front of his office very early in the morning. He has a commanding presence with sharp hazel eyes and a determined mind. He had been a public servant for nearly twenty years before he contested for governor and won. He is almost at the end of his first four years in office and is planning to run for a second tenure. Nothing had prepared him more than the past years. Natural disasters, political scandals, and a fractious state legislature had tested his leadership at every turn.

Following the gun battle between the two gangs, Okutu quickly announced a dust to dawn curfew in Port Harcourt city local government area of the state to forestall a complete breakdown of law and order. He knows the danger in allowing the gang war to escalate.The decision was not made lightly. He analysed the inconveniences and burden a curfew will place on law-abiding citizens, but extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.

Within the hour the curfew was declared. Helicopters roared overhead. Radio stations announced the governor 's declaration. Effective immediately, all residents are to remain indoors from dusk until dawn. Violators will face arrest.

The city’s reaction was immediate. Some welcomed the curfew, hoping it would restore order. Others saw it as an over exercise of government power. Social media exploded with debates, accusations, and calls for action.As the sun dipped below the horizon, the streets emptied. Shops closed their windows, and families remained in their homes. Police and Civil Defence units patrolled the city.

Officer Mark Tunde stood at the site of the explosion, his heart pounding as he saw the wreckage. The smell of burnt metal and gasoline hung heavy in the air. It was less than 30 minutes he left Evelyn's shop when her car exploded. The woman had been so vibrant when he was interrogating her and he asked her to report at the station the next day for further questioning. Now, all that life is gone.A sinking feeling told him this was only the beginning of something much bigger.

He remembered when he exited Evelyn's store, something had caught his eyes. Across the street, at a nearby newspaper stand, a figure moved in the shadows. The man seemed to be loitering, his movements jerky and nervous. He had paused briefly, watched as the man rifled through the papers with an odd urgency, then retreated into the street when he noticed him looking.

At the time, Mark dismissed it as unimportant, as just another restless city dweller acting strange. He hadn’t thought much of it then. After all, people loitered all the time, especially near the newspaper stand. Regrettably, he did not pay closer attention. That shadowy figure might be the key to unraveling this tragedy. He now feels the man hadn’t simply been perusing the headlines. He must have been watching something or someone.

Mark crossed the street, got to the newspaper stand, now closed due to the curfew.Once the curfew is over, he will have a talk with the newspaper vendor.He clenched his fists, resolving to also find out who has been following him in the shadows and why. Whatever the reason, the guy that has been tailing him must be stopped.