Before you rush onto that bus in Lagos.
The city of Lagos Nigeria can be one of the most interesting places to live in. It is usually filled with a lot of activities from one place to another. It was on my first visit to Lagos that I found out a street (Awolowo way) where people are always moving up and down even up till the dead of the night.
Living in Lagos however comes with it's own required special skills. One of such skill is "street sense". YES! This could mean many things to many people but here, I would be focusing on the street while you are trying to rush onto that bus or even while inside the bus/vehicle.
For us that are still catching the bus at the bus stops or those who chose to once a while when they think they needed to let the car take some rest lol. Have you been a victim of an "obtained pocket" at any point in time. Okay, i will share my experience this past monday.
We were at the bust stop and was on my way to work. As customary, we were certain to rush into any bust declaring intent to navigate the Ikeja route from our Ketu location. One of such vehicles had parcked and everyone (about 25) had rushed for a 14 persons capacity "danfo" bus (A common volckswagen bus used for public transport in Lagos). Suddenly, we found a phone low wnd phone on the floor, apparently from one of the "rushees". We announced "your phone has fallen o" repeatedly in the heat of the rush. Suddenly, one of the prospective passengers came out of the bus with claims that his phone was missing.
Monday morning rush shot taken by myself.
What! how? We saw a phone on the floor, is that not yours? Apparently, it was his phone and the phone fell off while another passenger picked his pocket while struggling for a space in the bus. So, I quickly volunteered to hell in dialing the phone number. Thank God! the phone rang, but no one to pick... Second trial, someonw picked after a long ring but we couldn't get right what was being reported at the other end.
Thesame thing was repeated on 3rd and 4th trial and by the 5th, we got that nightmare report "the number you are calling is switched off".
I could feel thw cold shivers run through the spines of the owner.
It had once happend to me like that too, so I can relate. I had rushed onto a bus from Ikeja along and had my phone in my pocket. I highlighted from the bus and took a keke to the last destination home. It was then I needed to communicate to my phone and it told me "easy easy, location changed". Funny right? I latter suspected the phone had been picked either while in the or while I was about getting in.
From this day henceforth, I had learnt to always have my phone in my hands. No matter how important that rush is, i will hold my phone tight to my hands or worst case, if I was carrying a bag, i drop it securely in the bag before the hustling. This is something I learnt the hard way and not willing to get caught up again anytime soon.
I hope this post is helpful.
Have you had such experiences before?
What's ur experience like?
If your phone isn't stolen in Lagos, you haven't been welcomed. Nice post.
Really! Well, it seems so...lol.
Same situtation here in the Philippines..
Here is your upvote
Hehe! Let me no share a picture of some of our trains with you...lol.
Lagos lagos lagos.....how funny i find everyother place boring. Just watching the rowdy streets of lagos makes your day.
I tell you, interesting place.
Lagos is no go area for me . 20% of their daily activities is on the road. the stress in the state is just too much for me. But Lagos is the land full of opportunity.
You said it all sir... You dare not be caught up in a "deadly" traffic. But in all, we here have to plan our lives around it; if we wish to take anything good back home.
you are welcome sir, when next i plan to visit lagos I will get you informed.
No problem... We'll get a meet up.
When I first visited Lagos from out of state, everything seemed to have been in a state of frenzy and everyone in a hurry. It took me a while to adapt to that state of things. Thanks for sharing.
I can so relate with that bro. I used to live in Abeokuta and then had my tertiary education at Ile-Ife. I only visited Lagos in my 4th year in the Uni. I was in same shoe as you, everything just looked strange and abnormaly rowdy...
I guess everyone goes through that process at least once. Thanks for sharing.
Lagos people, una weldone o. I no wan experience this kind thing. I wonder if lagos will be calm anyday?.
The days it goes solo the day money comes solo..make ot they fire oo..newyork rough too..but we are Africans our body mass is build for
Lolz..... @dorth dorth.....
Classic stuff.
Quite a painful experience though.
I've had my own experience too. Although, my own loss occured the day i was involved in a accident. One of the rescuers decided that my phone must "change ownership" by force. And that was how my phone was "adopted" by a new owner.
Perhaps one of these days...i'd write on that too.
Nice post by the way.
Wow! Some guys taking advantage of ugly situations there. Sorry for that kinda loss bro. I am happy my post is provoking more discuss. Would love have your post sooner or latter.
Hustle is real mehn in lagos..but regardless no where like here..
I can tell you for sure. Just get some street sense, and you are fine.
Omg..
pity the women who come scrambling up the bus.
Lagos is a "place" really where you are practically "on your own"(OYO). Most at times i see pregrant women and nursing mothers with their babies struggling at the bus stop with us. Most times, I am helpless, I have an appointment to catch up with. Even when u try to lower your push so those people can get a space, another person who doesn't want to know it the other vessle is weaker is ready to take the space... It really takes much to survive Lagos with your concience still intact.
Not a mercy land ...u got yourself alone
Shes street credibilty herslef..
No I've not had that experience before and never want to have it. Though my ppl have fallen victim a number of times. Here in uyo we do not rush so much for buses and i thank God.