"The Trade," written and directed by Jadesola Osiberu, tells the story of a notorious group of kidnappers led by Eric, played by Blossom Chuwujekwu. Eric and his team are infamous for targeting wealthy individuals in southern Nigeria and demanding a hefty ransom of 1 million dollars each. The group includes Gideon Okeke as Spark, Chinwetalu Agu as Driver, Stan Nze as Meshach, and Kelvin Chukwuemeka as Chukwuka. Despite being on the police's wanted list for a long time, there hasn't been enough evidence to apprehend them.
Eric and his team have proven to be difficult to catch, almost invincible, due to Eric's expertise in leading separate lives that are nearly independent of one another. On the one hand, Eric is portrayed as a loving family man, religious, well-dressed, and a good father and husband. On the other hand, we see him as a ruthless and dirty kingpin. In between these two lives exists another Eric, wealthy and well-dressed, who has a secret second family with a baby mama and two children who are unaware of his other life. Even his immediate family is unaware of these distinctions. His sister only meets his first family at hotels and has never been to his house, and he hasn't seen his sick father in over a decade. His team members, who carry out the kidnappings with him, are oblivious to his life outside their criminal operations and don't even know his real name. Eric's ability to maintain secrecy is the key to his successful and unnoticed operations.
"The Trade" mirrors the kidnapping operations in Nigeria, showcasing how lucrative, coordinated, and well-planned this industry is and the reasons behind its longevity. Despite being an informal and criminal sector, the level of intellect and planning involved in each kidnapping is surprising. Eric's meticulous attention to detail is showcased in the kidnapping of Doris, played by Stella Damasus. To target Doris, who comes from a wealthy family and manages a leading transport company, Eric dedicates months to research and stalking, even placing a team member as an apprentice in a salon near Doris' office to monitor her. He becomes well-acquainted with her personal life, including her extramarital affair, favorite restaurant, and preferred orders. This targeting of Doris wouldn't have been possible without the help of Ebuka, played by Gregory Ojefua, who serves as Eric's bank manager and informant, providing information about rich clients to target for ransom.
Kidnapping in Nigeria is not just an industry; it's an entire ecosystem, and "The Trade" makes great efforts to shed light on its workings. Based on a true story, allegedly inspired by the notorious criminal Evans, the film was filmed over four years. It effectively documents an entire criminal enterprise that continues to plague Africa, particularly Nigeria. Such a comprehensive depiction of a criminal ecosystem inevitably exposes the inadequacies of law enforcement agencies. By watching this movie, viewers can deduce the flaws within the Nigerian police force, such as the existence of corrupt officers who collude with kidnappers, as portrayed by Officer Amadi, played by Charles Inojie. Additionally, the lack of specialization within the force is evident when Officer Bukar, who heads the IRS (Nigeria's version of the FBI), is diverted to investigate a burglary case, distracting him from his official duties. The underfunding of the police force also forces officers to rely on favors and extortion to survive, rendering them incapable of carrying out thorough investigations and allowing criminals like Eric to remain free.
Is "The Trade" worth the journey to Amazon Prime, whether on a cozy weekend with loved ones or alone? The answer is yes, and
here are my reasons. In terms of the story, the movie tells a captivating tale that is almost flawlessly executed. The script development, refined over four years, stands out as a welcome departure from the norm in the Nollywood industry. However, considering the story's potential and the accumulation of unused footage during those years, one might expect the story to have been transformed into a miniseries. While the initial development of the lead character and major themes receives ample attention, the climax and denouement feel rushed.
One possible issue viewers might have with the movie is the underutilization of A-list actors. For instance, Stella Damasus makes only brief appearances and is not as prominent as one would expect from such a talented actress. The same can be said for Chinwetalu Agu, Waje Iruobe, and even Denola Grey, whose appearance might go unnoticed if one checks their phone briefly. While the director may have intended to focus the spotlight on other actors, this should not come at the expense of viewers' high expectations
What cannot be justified is the accent and mannerisms given to some of the Igbo characters. They all sound harsh, unruly, and crude, lacking distinct individuality. Officer Charles, played by Shawn Faqua, exhibits excessive temperateness and aggression for someone in a subordinate role within the armed forces. However, this portrayal could represent a faction within the force that behaves as though they belong with Eric. It becomes difficult to distinguish between Eric, Meshach, and Charles in terms of their tone and behavior. The Igbo accent portrayed in the movie excessively emphasizes the crude language of the streets, even in significant scenes during the climax, where Nneka inappropriately adheres to it. Apart from Eric and his team, there is no reason for the rest of the characters to adopt such accents and mannerisms.
In general, "The Trade" takes a bold step in telling a necessary story that sheds light on the effects of this pervasive evil on families, the economy, and the country as a whole. Despite the absence of the customary hype associated with star-studded movies, I encourage everyone to see this film and appreciate its significance.
watch the trailer here:
