It's Monday morning and as usual there's hustling and bustling, with everyone doing their own thing. But the thing be say I vex serious vex today. Why is it that some of these drivers think say na only dem get mouth to talk. Like I don't understand how they think that life starts and ends in that pit abi beat where they load motor such that they can treat passengers anyhow.
Eleme junction
Okay, I had travelled to Onne, Rivers State over the weekend and was set to return to my base this morning. I got to Eleme junction where I was to board a vehicle to Aba and as usual the agberos and loaders were chancing every passerby, asking if they were heading to Aba. One of them approached me and I replied in the affirmative so he took me to this Sienna car which was loading. Luckily the driver was there and I asked if he will get to main park, he said no, Osisioma junction but that since he'll be going to his house at Okigwe road, he can easily drop me off somewhere close to park.
The fare nkọ? He said ₦2,000 and that the motor will carry four four at each of the seats, then front, two. You know how fast they usually talk that you need to have a sharp ear to really hear and understand them.
While his mouth was running like tap, telling me that the seats are comfortable and the car very strong, this and that, I asked him "did you say four per seat? Instead of replying yes like a human being whom I thought he was, he started talking gibberish,
why you dey ask me how many I dey carry per seat, you know how much dem dey sell fuel? Na only you I go carry for back seat? Stand there dey ask question no go enter motor.
I just couldn't take it and I lashed out at him "Oga, I just asked a simple question for clarification and you're displaying your stupidity, e be like say you don high this morning".
The loader that brought me said I should just ignore him and enter the motor because I had wanted to leave. So when I made to enter, the driver came back and told me to go sit at the front with another lady that is a plus plus size. I refused and asked if he will be the one to pay for my transport fare or even reduce it since it was obvious that I won't be comfortable sitting there? Imagine he wants me to go and get myself squeeze, no way. 🤣
That caused him to start ranting again who do you even think that you are, is the lady not a fellow woman like you bla bla bla?. I just ignored him and got in.
My angry face
Luckily two portable slim guys were already seated at the last row so I joined them making us three with one chance left. Minutes later another guy came and joined us at the back seat. Two other passengers came completed the first row seats. We were all comfortably seated waiting for one passenger to complete the front, lo and behold an extra plus size guy came, wahala 🤣.
Seeing the guy's size, the loader decided to swap seats and asked the one at the extreme where I was seated to go to the front, probably because he paid less fare. but he refused too. The guy who came in after me now agreed to go to the front while the extra plus guy took his position beside me. Ah! I was running away from fire and entered frying pan. The guy not only squeezed us, he pressed us, oh my bones 😭
The driver then told the guy to come down that he won't carry him again except he pays ₦2,000 instead of ₦1,500 which he already paid because he will stop at Obehie, Asa.
Another argument ensued, yet the driver refused to move saying that it's either the guy completes the fare or he come down so he can collect complete fare from another passenger. Seeing how difficult the driver was and that time was going, the guy had to complete the money and we moved.
See how they're squeezed, no space
Getting to Obehie, the guy alighted and told the driver that he had a luggage in the boot. The driver opened the boot and the guy pointed which was his bag. Instead of the driver to carry the bag out gently, he started dragging it on the other handle and it tore, ha! serious gbese!. The guy was so angry and said
instead of you to take things easy, you refuse. You dey talk anyhow, body dey pepper you, as you don tear the bag now, shey you dey happy?
The driver wasn't even remorseful, claiming he didn't know the bag was heavy since he wasn't the one who loaded it. The guy then said he will have to pay for the torn bag, driver was still running his mouth like tap, claiming it wasn't his fault and he won't pay anything.
The bike man who came to carry the guy pleaded with him to allow the driver to carry his trouble and go, which he agreed. When the guy was climbing the bike, the driver continued,
you for stay dey talk anyhow, I go just go collect koboko from army now and flog you.
Imagine the intimidation, on top person bag wey you spoil. There is an army checkpoint there, probably he has an affiliation with them.
His last statement annoyed all of us and we told him that his attitude was totally wrong, that he could have just owned up but he was having none of it. Some drivers should go in for mental check.
We continued our journey and reaching Osisioma junction, he stopped before the roadside, opened the door and told everyone to come down. I was like
but oga, you promised....
He didn't even allow me to finish my statement he shouted
which promise, how much you pay? Madam come down come carry your bag make I comot here, you dey ask me nonsense question
I came down, carried my bag and told him, "I've confirmed that you are high on something and needs a mental check. See how you're treating your passengers all because we boarded your motor"
He continued
you buy fuel abi motor for me? Your husband get this kain motor? I be officer, see my motor.
I replied "officer ke, who dash you officer? You be officer, na im you carry motor dey do agbero and driver work?"
I guess my reply pained him so much that he shouted
Thunder fire you there*
I gave it back to him in double fold;
you too thunder fire you, including brimstone and sunshine, lol.
Since he wants to be mad, let him be mad completely.
Immediately I said that one of the guys selling things by the roadside shouted "ah ah madam, even sunshine, morning or afternoon own?".
I replied "anyone, infact both of them".
The guy bursted into laughter and I joined him while walking down to where I will boarded Keke tricycle home.
That laughter really helped to keep me calm and as I headed home everything that happened came replaying, and I just sighed while imagining the stress, ill treatment and intimidation some of these drivers mete out on their passengers. It's really disheartening.
Thank you for reading, please do visit again.
Still the #threadsaddict 😂
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