Adventures Of Oko Ashawo The Uber Driver -47

The past one week has been tension filled ....

I was scheduled to pick up a client from the international airport last Saturday by 4pm and I waited in Ajao Estate since early afternoon because of proximity and the chaotic traffic situation. Being a foreigner from one of the West African countries, I couldn’t afford to stay far as she may not be fully abreast with recent happenings in the country. 

As soon as she called that she had landed, I drove immediately towards the airport but met a blocked road ahead just before the new overhead bridge. We learnt that the protesters had barricaded the road and some of us tried frantically to reverse so as find an alternative route. Some vehicles got damaged in the process as they ran into each other. 

After finding a convenient place to park along the road, I resorted to trekking to the international airport along with some others who had flights to catch. We met some bike men doing brisk business by charging between N3,000 and N5,000 Naira to the airport for a distance less than 500 meters . People carried their luggage on their heads on the bikes and some others dragged theirs along.

 A few airport taxis that were stuck between the overhead bridge and the airport also took advantage and made money off the stranded passengers charging about 3,000 Naira per trip.

As expected, my client was confused about what was happening and I had to explain the situation to her. We got a taxi to take us to the point where the road was blocked for N3,000 Naira, crossed with her luggage and trekked to where I parked my car to continue our journey to Ibadan.

Information reached me that Lagos – Ibadan expressway was blocked by the protesters and those who embarked on the journey from Ibadan since early morning were yet to get to Lagos as at 5pm. I then opted for Ikorodu – Shagamu – Ibadan route. What a mistake!

Everything seemed good until we got close to Ikorodu main garage. The road was blocked by hoodlums with obstacles and tyres being burned on both sides of the road with lots of people stranded in their vehicles. Those who were on foot raised their hands as they passed and the

hoodlums had a field day harassing passers-by and vehicle users. I was really scared and I noticed also that my passenger was also scared stiff. I tried to be professional, allayed her fears and told her that we’ll be safe.

In a stroke of luck, one of the thugs came to me, hit my car and directed me to take another way. He led me to a part of the road that was blocked and opened it up for me. It could only have been God that made that happen. We watched as people were harassed and the hoodlums wielded machetes, broken bottles, sticks and other dangerous weapons, robbing and destroying cars.

I almost did the unthinkable by bringing out my phone to record what was going on but I quickly discarded that foolish idea. My “aprokoism” will not put me in trouble one day. Thankfully, we got to Ibadan safely around 1am but we met the roads blocked as protests went on at Challenge area. We had to take alternative routes till we got to our final destination.

With all that has happened so far especially the killing of the unarmed protesters, I have taken a break from work till the situation improves. At the moment, we are still trying to locate a friend who was part of the protest. My heart goes out to the families and loves ones of those who have lost their lives in this struggle, including those who have lost their means of livelihood. 

I am hurting …

*.....Hot or cold na you sabi.......after all the insults i received because of you in column 46 last week,it is FEM for me today abeg.