IT was an evening of heightened voices, shouting-match, fierce disagreements and ‘face me I face you dares on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, as commuters boarded a 14-seater bus from Egbeda junction, heading towards Iyana-Iba at about 06:24 pm.
An empty bus, having no conductor had just pulled up at the Egbeda junction, with stranded passengers rushing to get on the bus. As is the norm in Lagos and who knows, other big cities, there is sometimes no fixed amount for transportation, as weather conditions, lack of buses or even traffic may determine a slight or ‘aggravated' increase in the cost of transportation.
This was no different as the driver fixed the transportation fare at #300 from Afolabi bus stop upward to Iyana-Iba, while Igando went for #200.
Usually, commuters would want to negotiate an amount favourable to them, but the driver did not ‘compromise as his mind was made up. Out of desperation, the passengers had to accept.
Now en route, there was the usual evening traffic. The driver had to use the opportunity to obtain his fare from his passengers. Even when all who boarded the vehicle were informed about the cost, trouble broke out just before the car wash junction.
The driver requested his fare from a woman seated in front. According to her, she was heading to Iyana-school. The driver asked for his #300 (which he had already informed her of), but she insisted that the amount was too much and that she would pay N250. Thinking it was a joke, the driver yet again calmly asked her. She still stood her ground. Then it appeared peace was not going to work! ‘Vawulence’ then became the last resort!
A fierce confrontation then ensued. The lady wasn’t going to pay #300, and the driver wasn’t going to accept N#250. Instead of her to farabale, she dared the driver. Speaking in Yoruba, her translated comments meant, "Take me back to Egbeda. I will not come down, and I will not pay #300."
Angered by her words, the driver stopped the vehicle, moved to her side and asked her to come down. ‘Come down or I will drag you down,’ he threatened. Time was ticking, and the lady was not backing down on her demands. Provoked, the driver opened the door and forcefully dragged her down. Passengers tried to calm the driver down.
Still on the journey, the driver charged Egbeda to Powerline bus stop #200. Another round of ‘Vawulence’ was underway! A male passenger this time dared the driver that he must give him a balance or face him at the bus stop.
Without a doubt, the driver was battle-ready. Probably reflecting on what the driver displayed at Car Wash, the man had no choice but to simply alight at Powerline, followed by a shouting match between himself and the driver. Bottom-line, he didn’t get back any balance as earlier demanded.
The other passengers in the vehicle all laughed, and that was how the ‘Vawulence’ was averted. Sanity was alas, restored!
