The 'Soldier' Checkpoint

By Layiwola Fagbenro ...

Me: Oga na Abonnema I dey go
Driver: Ehn?! You go drop for Waterline
I had gone home soon after the camp and had barely spent 2 weeks when I received a call that all corps members were to be in the secretariat on Wednesday. I was at the bus park by 6:00 am on Monday. The park was as busy as ever and the surprise was when I realized I would be going with the fourth bus.
I had my back pack, travelling bag and  guitar.
Bus Asst.: Wu get this load?
Me: Na my own
Bus Asst.: Wetin dey inside?
Me: Cloths, books … (intercepted)
Bus Asst.: Oya, Ur money na N500 for d load

I had anticipated this as I had even been called Sunny Ade by a bus conductor because of my guitar.
I ended up paying him N100 for d load (I try gann!). Because I had left home earlier than I thought, my guardian couldn’t give me pocket money as was expected as I had used my savings to get a phone as the previous one got spoilt while charging at Mami market.

Soon we were off. It took us a while to leave Lagos as the rush hour traffic had started to build up. We stopped over at Ore then in Delta and we were soon on the East West road.

The first stop in Rivers state was somewhere that seemed very familiar but I was confident the driver was very familiar with the area and after all he was elderly and seemed responsible, why should I trust a fellow passenger?

Few minutes past 6:00pm and we were at Waterline which happened to be the last bus stop. I was to take a boat to my PPA from Abonnema and I had been told the jetty closed by 6:00pm. This dashed every hope of getting to my lodge. “No wahala, if I get to Abonnema I could stay over in the Corper’s lodge there and be off to my PPA the next day,” I said to myself.

Me: Sir, how I go reach Abonnema?
Driver: U go enter bus go Mile 1 park. For their u go see Abonnema.
Me: Thank u.
We had not got off the bus when a couple of guys surrounded us lobbying to carry loads. I requested for the service of one that seemed gentle but rugged due to the life on the streets. Common, I had to be careful. I was about 11 hours away by bus from home where I had no relative. Adding to my panic was the fact that it was starting to get really dark.

I was ready to do anything to hide my fear.

He carried my bag in His barrow and I carried by back pack and guitar walking behind him and keeping keen eye on my bag. He was nice. Bid him farewell and boarded a cab to the park and the drama started – it was closed. “Which kind of park closes by 7:00pm. Oh! I miss Lasgidi.”

Everyone had gotten out of the cab but me. The driver took me beyond the park and described where I could get bus but would have to walk. He couldn’t go any further.
The weight of my bags were having their toll on me. I had to walk only in areas that were well lighted and act tough. Perhaps my being able to carry such large bags would scare “them” off.

I walked for about 30 mins to get to the “alternate bus park” only to realize that I had been led to Abonnema port. “Wat! Now am finished. I intend getting to the island – Abonnema, not one located in the city of Port Harcourt” Even the “alternate bus park” led to know where close to my destination. A few calls and it was obvious I was lost.
I tried so hard not to panic and limit the use of my phone. I had just bought one of the Samsung galaxy’s and the attraction the light from the screen brought wasn’t something I needed.

An idea came in! If I could find a check point, I could explain myself and hopefully I could sleep at the check point. “I would be enjoying a type of security only few citizens have” I told myself. Went straight to the closest food hawker I could find, bought a sachet water (I really needed it) and asked for the closest checkpoint and alas it was about 50 steps away. The turn of events couldn’t have been better.

Me: Good evening sir
Soldier: Ehen… (touch light to my face)
Me: Oga, I be corper posted to Rivers, nah Lagos I dey come from and nah … I dey serve. Nah Abonnema I bin dey go buh I come miss way and no bus wey dey go there dis night. Na place wey I fit lay my head I jus dey look for nau n … (intercepted)
Soldier: Come inside. Make oga come, nah im dey duty. Hope say bomb no dey that bag? (pointing to my bag)

Me: (laughing) no sir! Me sef never one die

Soldier: so wetin go happen now?

Me: If I jus fit sleep tonight for corner here (pointing behind the sand-filled sacks) I go really appreciate am.

Soldier: No wahala. Jus relax make oga come.

Men I was glad! Ate my banana with pure water.
“Corper u don chop?” “Yes sir! Thank you sir!”

About 20 mins later another soldier (Akeem-not his real name) came in and the gist started for about 30 mins. Though he had to leave intermittently we spoke as if we had known each other for ages. He was a Sergeant and had once been an instructor at the Nonwa Gbam Camp (NYSC orientation camp). By this time I was starting to feel sleepy myself but couldn’t let him know.

Another military personnel came over and round 2 of gist started. He looked younger, more refined but spoke with authority and was highly respected. I figured that he was an officer. He told me about his days in the university and scholarships he enjoyed from the military. I envied him.

We (He majorly) spoke at length about how much things had changed, his life and personal issues (many of which can’t be written in here, perhaps you can try to get lost and hope to also spend a night at a check point if you really do want to know. Lol.)

The officer told me he couldn’t allow me sleep at the check point.
“Haba! After 4 or 5 years in the university, u won come they sleep for check point?! U self don try now. Levels gaz change.”

He had my bag carried by a young man and I was ushered to a self contain room not too far from the check point. This was too much for me. I had anticipated to sleep at a check point now I was in a room on the third floor of a building that seemed to be a luxury hotel.
I called my friend at my PPA (from which I could have asked for directions before leaving for Rivers) that I was okay. My mum called, not having a clue of what I had and was going through and I assured her I was doing fine.

Though I occasionally woke up to do one thing or the other, I slept like a baby.
At about 6:00am I heard a loud bang on my door. “Corper” the voice shouted. “Sir” I replied.
It was Akeem. Thank God I was dressed. I thanked him for the hospitality, he described how to get to the park and I was on my way.

I had been waiting for the bus to take me to the park for about 20 mins when a Mercedes station wagon packed not too far from me. “Corper” the voice shouted. It was Akeem again. He took me to the park in his car and I was on my way to Abonnema in no time.

By this time, my respect for the military had deepened despite the camp drills. I wondered how the service year was going to turn out to be if it started on a note as this. Time would tell what this “Ajuwaya” wear would be saying on my behalf.