My encounter with hoodlums today

I left my Ketu residence around 11am for my Ilupeju office with the rain drizzling. There's the usual Lagos traffic as its often the case, anytime it rains. Coming from Estate end, I turned at the abandoned Lagos-Ibadan Toll gate to join the Ojota-Oworonsoki Expressway leading to the 3rd Mainland bridge. I do so these days to avoid the Ikorodu Road Expressway which has witnessed some traffic holdups due to a reconstruction of road going on around Maryland. 

I always prefer driving close to pavements to avoid being brushed by vehicles changing lanes. A guy whom I thought was one of those layabouts came to the window and was fondling with the side mirror of the 4-Runner Toyota SUV mumbling some words which I could not comprehend as my windows were up. He was asking for money, I assumed and before you say Jack Robinson, others numbering about 4 joined him. Banging the windows loudly. it was the second time at the same spot close to the MKO statue. On ordinary day, on the other side, Policemen and Road Safety guys are seen always parading the area,  extorting money from passing vehicles. Today, they were nowhere  to be found. The rain probably drove them away and created an opportunity for the reefrats to operate freely. 

I was helpless and other vehicles were just watching the drama. I tried to open my glove compactment and pretend to bring out some weapon. But, they were not detered. It was a helpless situation.  I obliged and handed over to them some money from my breast pocket. They asked me to add the rest including one bill that fell on the floor. Finally, one of them that saw me complying with their demands asked the rest in Yoruba language, to leave me alone. 'E je ko ma lo'. I drove to the middle lane and continued the journey. I think I was particularly lucky that they did not ask for my phone which was being charged and therefore visible. Loosing my phone would have been a disaster as I could be devastated and destabilized at the loss of my contacts and useful documents, especially. Buying a new phone at this Covid 19 period could pose a big challenge too. Now. Why am I posting this story? Well. I simply want my friends and contacts living and driving in Lagos to learn from my experience. I will therefore advise on the followings:

1. Make sure you are not alone in the vehicle or drive in the outside lane close to kerbs..

2. Keep your valuables like phone and laptops in the boots.

3. Make sure you have some money on you as they can harm you or damage your vehicle. Break windscreens, window glasses or side mirrors.

Finally, these are signs of things to come and we all have to be prepared. 

My best regards. 

By Danladi Dele Agbeyo 07. 06. 21