So on one Saturday night late in December last, I entered one chance bus travelling towards Enugu on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.

I had N50,000 in cash on me, 6-8 phones for business, my international passport booklets both Nigerian and British, all bank cards in a bag.

So at 9pm I entered a bus in Onitsha near Army gate heading towards Enugu on the Expressway.

brb my phone battery just about to die.

when bus stopped conductor slid open the door and I nogotiate fare his said N300 , I said N200, he accepted my offer .


On entering something seemed unusual as the bus seemed extra spacious , I later worked out afterwards that there's no middle row of seats and the way the passengers arranged themselves seemed odd one man was in front with driver,
One man in front row seats by window, one man in back seat by window . So when I entered I was hesitant about entering for a moment as I was directed by conductor to seat in front row of seats.
I was uneasy, but got in anyway because I was desperate to catch a bus to take me to Awka by that time.
Essentially I was surrounded on all side. In front with driver was one man on my left was another on my right was conductor and behind me in back seat was a man.
I kept quiet, the man on my left lamented that I was charged N200 for fare that should be N150 (when in actuality for that time at night the going rate for my destination is N300-N500 I later discovered after the event).
I kept quiet just hoping that I hadn't entered one chance.

Bus stopped again shortly after and picked 4 young with travel bags who were headed for Awka. I got out to go to seat in the front with the driver but the man sitting there won't allow me saying he has a injured leg. When I went to sit down the front row had been occupied by the new passengers.
The conductor "Daddy, can seat at back here? and directed to the available space in the back row of seats. I got in and the conductor started sliding door shut before getting in himself, I glimpsed his face, and I can only describe of not appear quite human. I guess at this point I was in denial so I stayed.

.

One chance thread

The conductor got in and slid the door closed, shortly after he started collecting N200 from everybody on bus .

This made the bus start to feel like a genuine bus and I started to feel less uneasy.

Long story short, when bus reached an unlit and bushy section of the expressway, it reduced speed , that is when the robbery of us the innocent passengers started.
Threatening to shoot those who do no hand over their bags , phones and valuables in my position in right hand corner, I was left alone, just observing the violent robbery taking place.
Almost as sudden as it started the bus came to a very brief stop, I was thinking perhaps we have arrived at a place they will shake us down properly or kidnap as the 4 innocent victims rushed out, when I noticed that the robbery gang were remaining in the vehicle, I started to try and make my escape, but by time I got to the door from the back seat, the bus took off and started accelerating.

Thinking back to a thread on NL where OP advised jumping out moving kidnap vehicle. I did not hesitate more than a couple of seconds before diving out of the moving bus.

I thank the gods of our land I did not suffer any severe injury.

My wounds were thankfully mainly superficial, though on both elbow and legs and the swelling from my right leg is still to fully go down.

My phone screen was completely smashed in process of diving out of the bus and medical treatment is my main financial loss from the incident.

Truly I was very fortunate indeed .

next, I will give the lesson I learnt from the incident.

Lessons: Conductor was unnecessarily sliding door shut . Fare was too low for the journey at that time of night.

The signs were glaring. You should have waited for another bus. In situations like that when you know you have something expensive and important on you, better you hail a cab. Dont be stingy

xtremerules:
The signs were glaring. You should have waited for another bus. In situations like that when you know you have something expensive and important on you, better you hail a cab. Dont be stingy

HIS INSTINCTS WARNED HIM, HE IGNORED IT...WHEN THE BUS FIRST STOPPED AND THE MAN IN FRONT SAID HIS LEG WAS INJURED...THAT WAS ANOTHER SIGN BUT HE ALSO IGNORED IT.

PERSONALLY, IF I HAD SUCH ITEMS AS THE OP DID...I CAN STAY IN THE BUS STOP FOR 2 HOURS, USING STYLE TO SCREEN VEHICLES BEFORE I ENTER THE ONE MY HEART ACCEPTS. IN FACT, I WONT EVEN TRY TRAVELING BY THAT TIME....ONE IS A SITTING DUCK THEN. HOW MUCH CAB FOR EVEN CHARGE TO CARRY YOU REACH AWKA SEF COMPARED TO YOU SMASHED SCREEN AND WOUNDED ELBOW?

Most Nigerians are too penny wise and pound foolish, and their woes are often self inflicted. You have N50k, and other valuables, but couldn't go to a proper park to get a bus, or even charter a vehicle if necessary. You dey find N200 bus.

MYZOLE:


HIS INSTINCTS WARNED HIM, HE IGNORED IT...WHEN THE BUS FIRST STOPPED AND THE MAN IN FRONT SAID HIS LEG WAS INJURED...THAT WAS ANOTHER SIGN BUT HE ALSO IGNORED IT.

PERSONALLY, IF I HAD SUCH ITEMS AS THE OP DID...I CAN STAY IN THE BUS STOP FOR 2 HOURS, USING STYLE TO SCREEN VEHICLES BEFORE I ENTER THE ONE MY HEART ACCEPTS. IN FACT, I WONT EVEN TRY TRAVELING BY THAT TIME....ONE IS A SITTING DUCK THEN. HOW MUCH CAB FOR EVEN CHARGE TO CARRY YOU REACH AWKA SEF COMPARED TO YOU SMASHED SCREEN AND WOUNDED ELBOW?

Abi oo. Glad he didnt lose much. Sometimes if stranded at night, I will use a uber to go home. Las las, worst come to worst, I will lodge in a hoteltill the next day.

xtremerules:


Abi oo. Glad he didnt lose much. Sometimes if stranded at night, I will use a uber to go home. Las las, worst come to worst, I will lodge in a hoteltill the next day.

I then spent N300 to okada to be transported to local pharmacy to treat wounds . chemist collect N1,200 for treatment and courses of antibiotics.
I finally caught a packed bus that would accept nothing less than N500 being that it was past 10pm by that time.

Hedonisst:
Most Nigerians are too penny wise and pound foolish, and their woes are often self inflicted. You have N50k, and other valuables, but couldn't go to a proper park to get a bus, or even charter a vehicle if necessary. You dey find N200 bus.

hindsight is 20-20 vision!
I am grateful that Iam fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from it.

On that day I was walking from ShopRite for many miles trying to reach a motorpark or hail a bus as all roads were closed that evening as there was a huge street carnival in honour of a king. I didn't realise how quickly 7pm became 9pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZW7OT3OfZI

Other clues:
*If bus is half empty at a time every bus is crowded.

*If a row of seats is missing.

*If they won't allow you sit in front cabin next to driver.