Chapter 12 – Strategy of the Streets
Lagos shadow dey linger, but we no dey run again. Na time to move smart, not fast.
Next morning, me and Samson meet for workshop before sunrise.
The streets dey calm, birds dey sing, but my chest dey beat steady — like drum wey dey warn soldier say battle dey come.
"Guy," Samson talk, "we no fit dey wait for them strike. We go need plan."
I nod. "Exactly. We go gather info, build allies, and secure workshop. Lagos no go catch us again."
First, we begin network.
I call Tunde, Stone, Wasiu — the boys wey loyal.
We meet for hidden corner of workshop, far from prying eyes.
"Listen," I start, "we get past for Lagos. We sabi streets. But this time, we no go fight blindly. Knowledge go be weapon."
Stone nod. "Bros, wetin you want make we do?"
I pull small map of Lagos wey I still carry from old days. "See. These na main areas where Baba Eko dey control. Oshodi, Agege, Mushin, even small corner for Surulere. We go dey watch movements, find informants, and know their pattern. Lagos no go surprise us."
Wasiu frown. "But bros, how we go get inside info?"
I smile faint. "Na where experience come. We sabi some boys wey still dey loyal to street code. Some fear Baba Eko, some dey chase money. We fit use them — quietly."
Tunde speak, "And what about security for workshop?"
Samson nod. "Na my side. We go set alarms, traps, and small hideout if wahala reach. Nothing dey obvious, but enough to buy us time."
Next, we dey meet Lagos contacts one by one.
I call one old man, Uncle Dele, wey dey work with small street hustlers. He dey respect me.
"Uncle Dele, we dey need info. Who dey loyal to Baba Eko but fit talk if we dey careful?"
He sigh. "Omo mi, Lagos na jungle. If you shine, dem go see you. But I sabi few — small boys for Oshodi and Mushin. Make I talk to them quietly."
I smile. "Na so. No mention my name. We dey careful."
Next days, information dey trickle.
Some loyal boys dey complain say new leaders dey harsh. They dey scared but dey observe.
We dey collect small intel — patterns, timings, small weak points. Lagos dey show us hand, if we dey watch.
Meanwhile, workshop dey grow.
People dey call us "Seyi & Sons — Lagos Boys Weh Redeem."
Even government youth program call me back — na honor. I dey speak for youths, inspire dem, and teach dem small skill.
But one thing dey clear — Lagos no forget.
One night, me and Samson dey discuss strategy after workshop close.
"Guy," I talk, "we fit use this documentary, youth program, and community respect as shield. Dem fit dey angry, but public eyes dey watch us now."
Samson grin. "Smart. Lagos dey fear people wey street don polish into leaders."
I nod. "Exactly. But we need plan B — escape routes, safe houses, even allies outside Ibadan. Lagos fit come heavy anytime."
Next step, we dey train boys for combat — not just tools, but small defense, awareness, and alertness.
"Boys, street get sense," I teach. "If you dey aware, you fit avoid danger. Lagos boys no dey strike where you dey ready."
They listen, hungry to learn.
Two weeks later, small surprise visitor arrive — Duke.
He walk in workshop, silent, carrying small backpack.
I grip pocket tight. Samson notice, step behind me.
"Calm," I whisper.
Duke look around, then speakg low. "I don gather intel. Lagos boys dey prepare. Baba Eko still dey angry. But… I dey willing help if you dey serious."
I narrow eyes. "Why we go trust you?"
He smile faint. "Because I know street. And because I no want see more blood for both our hands."
I pause. Then nod. "Fine. But rules dey. You no touch workshop, no harm boys, no betray again. You dey under my lead now."
Duke agree. "I dey under your lead."
Samson look me shocked. "Bro, you really trust am?"
I shrug. "Street na jungle. Sometimes, even snakes fit dey useful if you handle am well."
With Duke, we dey plan moves carefully.
He dey guide us about Lagos boys — timings, weaknesses, secret passages.
I dey compile list, map patterns. Small by small, plan dey form — Lagos no go catch us off guard.
Meanwhile, tension dey grow for Ibadan.
One night, small gunshot dey for outskirts.
Boys dey panic. I calm them. "No worry. Na Lagos way dey test us. We dey ready."
We dey watch, alert, calm.
Pastor Ade notice change for me. "Seyi, na strategy you dey learn now. Lagos no fit break you again."
I nod. "Pastor, na true. We dey build defense, network, and reputation. But we must remain humble."
He smile. "Humility and courage — na two weapons wey every man need."
By end of Chapter, workshop dey stronger, boys dey loyal, allies dey ready, Duke dey loyal (for now).
I sit outside at night, stars dey shine faintly.
I write for journal:5
"Lagos shadow dey everywhere. But knowledge, preparation, and couragefit turn hunter to prey. Streets teach, but wisdom survive. We dey ready for whatever fire dey come next."
The night breeze blow, small rain dey fall.
Ibadan calm. But deep inside, I know Lagos go strike soon.
And when e strike… this time, we dey ready.
G