Results of An Impatient Driver

Most Nigerian public bus drivers, especially those from Lagos and Ibadan are always very impatient with their passengers. This was the experience of one Kelly, an innocent passenger who was returning home from work during the weekend.

Kelly was buying bread he wanted to take home in a traffic jam in Lagos as he was returning from work on a Friday. The loaf of bread costs only #600 and the bread brand was delicious bread that commuters around that axis love to buy. So, every passenger on the bus was trying to buy a loaf too from the hawkers.

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Since the traffic was bumper-bumper. The passengers were busy taking their time to buy a loaf. Unfortunately, Kelly had given the hawker a #1,000 note for as long of bread and needed to get a change of #400 before the bus sped off.

Also, other passengers too were caught unawares as their change was with one hawker or the other. The #1,000 note was the last money he had with him and after he drops at the bus stop, he would need to take a motorbike to his residence for #200. How would he get home?

The driver came under serious criticism for not allowing the passengers to conclude their transaction with the hawkers before he zoomed off but the driver turned deaf ears to the passengers and continued driving toward the next end of town. Kelly was so bothered but he did not offer a word. He just continued to brood over the behavior of the driver in his mind. He didn't want to create a scene.

The bus had moved for about fifteen minutes when it arrived at a police checkpoint. All passengers were asked to alight from the bus. It was a stop-and-search operation. The only thing that Kelly had with him was his haversack which he carried his work tools.

Kelly, who was already angry with the driver over his uncompleted transaction, was the major suspect for the police simply because he wore a nicely ironed cloth with a beard that covered his face.

Mr man, what do you have in your haversack?

The policeman queried while staring at Kelly.

Oga, nothing except for my working tools.

The policeman drew closer to Kelly and asked him to open the bag. Kelly did that gently and brought out a chisel, clamp, screwdriver, and many more working tools.

Since nothing was found on any of the passengers, the policemen who had the intention to be bribed started asking for the documents of the vehicle.

Who's the driver of this vehicle?

The senior officer that led the team shouted from the place where the police car was parked.

Officer, nah me.

The driver responded with his right hand raised above his head.

Go and bring the documents of this vehicle.

Without hesitation, the driver brought out all the necessary documents. Still, the officers were not impressed. They want something to indict the passengers or driver with.

Get me your driver's license

At this point, the driver started to feel uncomfortable. He sluggishly brought out his driver's license but it had expired.

When the policeman discovered that the driver had been using a license that had expired about five years ago, he charged the driver a sum of #50,000. On one hand, the passengers were happy that the driver got what he deserved but some of the passengers felt that it was not the right step that the policeman had taken. They were going to slug it out with them.

Kelly just watched from a distance. The senior officer who led the patrol was his classmate. He just wanted to stay behind the scene and watch as events unfold.

Driver, would you pay me the #400 that I ought to collect from the hawkers or pay the #50,000 fine.

The driver was astonished at the gestures of Kelly. He just looked away, unconcerned.

Kelly did not bother the driver. He just stepped back and looked as the driver bargained with the officers.

He was not going to make a payment less than #30,000. That was huge for the driver. As he was contemplating on the next move, he thought of seeing Kelly. #400 was way too small clamored to what the officers were asking.

Oga passenger, how you want take help me?

The driver consulted with Kelly in pidgin English.

When other passengers heard that Kelly was already bargaining to get his lost money at the traffic, they joined the train. The driver promised to pay everyone if they assist him to plead with the officers.

Kelly just stepped out and moved towards the senior officer. As soon as he saw him he shouted:

Kelly Randy!

Everyone was amazed at what was happening. Kelly was Officer Osas' roommate during their university days. They hugged each other tightly and exchanged pleasantries.

Oya, returned the key to the driver.

Officer Osas said, ordering the junior officers to allow the bus passage. The driver was so happy. His smile radiated all over his face. He happily returned all the passengers who lost their money in the traffic transaction and promised that he would be patient next time with his passengers as he does not know who is who.