Three weeks ago, I didn’t just board a Danfo bus — I stepped into the reality many Lagos drivers live with every single day.
That morning, we left Mowe heading toward Lagos. I was a passenger on my husband’s bus, sitting quietly, observing. Among those onboard was an elderly woman who kept shouting “watch!” at every bend and turn, attempting to direct the driver. At first, everyone ignored her. But as the journey went on, her constant interruptions became distracting, and passengers had to beg her to let the driver concentrate.
The journey was uneventful until just before Oshodi.
A passenger decided to alight slightly ahead of the designated stop. It was a small, familiar Lagos moment — the kind that happens daily on our roads. My husband checked his mirror and immediately spotted a LASTMA van from a distance. Without hesitation, he drove off. They followed.
Inside the bus, the atmosphere changed instantly.
You could feel the tension. No one spoke. My heart raced as I silently prayed we wouldn’t be caught. Anyone who understands Lagos traffic enforcement knows what that would mean — harassment, delays, and fines that could wipe out an entire day’s earnings.
Against the odds, he managed to park at the Oshodi motor park and quickly stepped away. But LASTMA still arrived moments later.
They entered the bus.
Passengers pleaded. Some explained. Others begged. None of it mattered.
That was when the weight of it all hit me. I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. I broke down.
Only then did people realize I was the driver’s wife.
In a moment that reminded me of the humanity that still exists among everyday Nigerians, a trader stood up and helped carry my daughter. Others comforted me, offering words and reassurance. Eventually, a senior transport officer intervened. After a brief exchange, LASTMA accepted a small settlement and left.
The bus exhaled.
That day, I didn’t just take a ride through Lagos traffic. I experienced the fear, pressure, and uncertainty that Danfo drivers endure daily — the constant anxiety of enforcement officers, the split-second decisions, the risk of losing everything over a minor mistake.
It was a journey that opened my eyes.
For many drivers on Lagos roads, every trip is not just about transport. It’s survival.
Written by Bidemi
No comments:
Post a Comment