I suggested to Kingsley that we occupy the front seats for the journey. “No problem, we have never done that before.” he replied as he dropped his luggage and headed to the front seat. After about 40 minutes, all passengers were on board and we were good to go. Sitting in the front close to the driver is one of the worst travel decisions I've ever made. I'm pretty sure my village people had something to do with it. I mean, I had never sat close to the driver. Why did I suddenly change my mind that day? From the moment the journey started, I felt uncomfortable. I sat in the next seat close to the driver, I thought it’d be a nice idea. However, because of my proximity to the gear lever, the driver kept hitting my leg when he shifted gears.
I soon accepted my fate and got used to it. It was as if the pain magically vanished. The journey was going smoothly until we got there- the first checkpoint. From my parents house to school, you encounter lots of policemen because there are many checkpoints. The police are always on the road, their job is to ensure safety of travelers. Sadly, the reverse is the case. “Oga, park there.” one of the policemen yelled as he directed our driver to park the bus on one side of the road.
In a gruff voice, the police man ordered, “Everybody, come down with your bags.” I couldn't help but notice his physique. His appearance was not one to inspire confidence . He had a protruding stomach. His head, disappropriately large and his neck had layers. His eyes were sunken and red which gave off the impression that he had been drinking. I noticed the Ak-47 in his hand and wondered if it was loaded. Without warning, he singled out six of us. “Those six guys there, carry your bags and go and meet the man under that shade.” He pointed at six of us and directed us to meet one of his colleagues.
“Good afternoon, Sir.” We greeted him. With a stern look on his face, he ignored us as he approached. “You there,” he barked, pointing directly at me. “Come with your bag.” Unlike my friend, Kingsley who had already started shaking, I was composed. Perhaps because I'd experienced this several times before. After searching my bag for three minutes, he called the next person and did the same. The next guy wasn't so lucky. A laptop was discovered in his bag, and the officer's eyes widened with interest.
“Where is the receipt for this laptop” the policeman asked.“I don’t have it here with me. I bought this laptop a long time ago” He replied. I could see fears in his eyes. His words came out slowly and shakily. “You are a suspected fraudster.” The hungry-looking policeman accused, his scowl deepening. “Wait! How is this guy a fraudster” I said to myself. Where on earth is it written in the constitution that anyone traveling with a laptop without a receipt is a suspected fraudster? I wish I could knock some sense into him and reset his brain, but I’d be risking my life. “Sir, I am a final year student. I’ve been using this laptop since my 100 level days.” The young lad tried to defend himself. “If you say another word, I’ll handcuff you and take you to the station.” The policeman yelled.
“Our friend here doesn’t have a receipt for this laptop. He is a suspected fraudster” the policeman said to another colleague who came smiling sheepishly. “Don’t say anything, just pay 10 thousand naira and we’ll let you go.” After searching my friend’s bag, the officer finally released my friend and I, instructing us to return to the bus. But the guy with the laptop was not so fortunate. He remained in the company of the hungry policemen. 'How much do you have?' the officer demanded, his tone like a hissing snake. The poor guy tried to defend himself with explanations , but in the end, he was forced to pay 5,000 Naira, a costly fee for a crime he did not commit.
When we all got back to the bus and continued our journey, the driver shook his head and muttered “This country! You guys were so lucky.” These guys are ruthless. Sometimes, these policemen go as far as planting fake evidences in passenger’s bag. He once witnessed a case where a policeman planted marijuana in an innocent man's luggage, demanding a huge price of 50,000 Naira to avoid prosecution.
“Police are your friend.” Indeed, they are.