Just a few minutes past 3pm, and it had just stopped raining since daybreak. Sergeants Kola, Musa and Effiong, checkpoint 247 of the Ibadan Lagos expressway, walked out from the shed they had been since they resumed duty for the day. It had been a very slow day due to the rain, only few cars had passed, and fewer cars had been stopped. Now that the rain had stopped, it was time to resume duty. Not really to enforce the law, but to run their side hustle, stop vehicles, fish for faults, and collect cash like it was a toll booth.

From a distance, Kola sighted a cream Toyota Corolla sport and said to the others, "this is my first client, we have to make maximum use of the time we have left today."

Flagging down the car as it approaches, "Oga park here" Kola said with a hoarse voice as if they had an unsolved issue prior to that time. He walked towards the car, acting like the king of the road. “Good afternoon. Step out and let’s see your documents.”

The man at the driver seat reached out to his glove compartment and handed over a neatly arranged file while he stepped out. License, insurance and roadworthiness without saying a word. Kola flipped through, expecting to see anything expired. "Solomon Ajayi", He read out loud . "Yes" the man replied. The license and particulars were valid and up to date. There was nothing to incriminate him with.
“Open your trunk.” kola insisted.

Solomon opened the car door and pressed a button just below the driver's seat. Kola walked to the back of the car, hoping to see anything incriminating, but it was empty.
“Where’s your fire extinguisher?”

“It's under the passenger seat. It's up to date,” Solomon replied smoothly. Kola looked closely, he saw it and sighed. Still nothing.

“Is that not the Federal Road Safety's job?” Solomon added. Kola raised an eyebrow. “Are you teaching me my job?”

By that time, Solomon had noticed what was really going on. At the other side of the road, there were two other police officers talking to other drivers. Sergeant Musa was hassling a commercial bus driver. Effiong had pulled over a woman and was threatening to seize her goods. The three officers were clearly not on official duty, but conducting an unofficial and illegal stop and search.

Kola returned the papers as Solomon entered his car. He leaned against the window with a softened face for the first time in the conversation. He cleared his throat and spoke in a calm voice.
“Oga, just drop something, any amount.”

Solomon chuckled. “Is that an order or a request?”

Before Kola could answer, Solomon opened the glove compartment, returned the papers and brought out a leather ID wallet. He flipped it open and held it out slowly. Kola bent closer to see what Solomon was trying to show him. Then he froze.

Assistant Commissioner of Police – Solomon Ajayi
Special Covert Task Force, Deputy Commissioner’s Office

Kola staggered like he had seen a ghost. “Jesus... Sir, I didn’t know... Sir, please...”

For the second time, Solomon stepped out of the car and adjusted his jacket, revealing the crisp uniform beneath. His face was young and fresh, you would think he just finished NYSC. Kola wondered why he never noticed the uniform all this while, and also how a young man, the age of Solomon could have managed to attain that level.

"Sir, I am very sorry" he continued as the remaining two officers quickly let go of the cars they were attending to, to plead for forgiveness.

The woman in the passenger seat in front stepped out too. She’d been quiet all this while, recording everything that had happened on her phone. She raised her badge.
Superintendent Arinze.

“You have been stopping vehicles and obtaining money illegally.” Solomon said calmly. “it's been fifteen minutes since I got here. I saw everything, You turned this checkpoint into your personal ATM. I have your names, your codes, and evidence on videos.”

Kola fell to his knees almost immediately. “Sir, I beg you. I have children, this is not how I usually work.”

Solomon stepped a bit closer to the three of them and whispered,
“Sergeants, Don’t sweat it. It's too late for explanations, and anything you say or do will be used against you."

He walked back to his car, cool like a breeze. Arinze had already sent the footage to the head office.

As they drove off, Kola remained on the ground, covered in sweat even in the cold weather.

THE END.

I hope you enjoyed the story, my entry for the Inkwell fiction #233, Don't sweat it