Where's your ticket?

As Nigerians, we always believed Hausa bike men were the craziest in the country. Wait till you come across some others. At times, you come across some situations and wonder how many people aren't insane in this country.
I went to visit a friend of mine who wasn't feeling too well. When I was ready to go, she wanted to get something around the area where I stay so we decided to go there together. Ready to go, we flanked down a particular motorcycle (in Nigeria, we call it bike) because the rider looked calm and coupled with the fact that he looked matured enough, we considered it safe enough. Boarding his bike, we moved smoothly and swiftly till we got to a particular point that required motorcycle riders to provide tickets. It was supervised by the thugs in that area. "Oga show us your ticket", said one of them. "I'm a secretary of the Motorcycle Riders Union. Secretary doesn't buy ticket". "That's not my business. If you don't have ticket, come down and settle with our boss". After this, I and my friend decided to get down from his motorcycle so he can sort out the issue and we go. He still refused to get down nor purchase a ticket. The thugs ended up seizing his key and giving it to their boss. He still kept on explaining that a secretary should not be buying ticket.

Then the worst happened. After waiting for about 45 minutes, this man brought out his ticket from his pocket. I personally was fuming inside but had to keep my cool as I was in the public. But what was the reason for all that when you had the ticket? Everybody kept on staring at this man if he was alright because why would you delay yourself and your passengers and even go through the stress of having your key being seized when you always had the solution to the problem from the start. This man didn't seem drunk or anything. He looked fine completely.
Then and there, the meme that only 3 people are normal in this country popped into my head. It's just me, you reading this and 1 other that's normal here 😂. I and my friend ended up boarding another bike as we couldn't trust that man riding us again. We paid him and flanked down another. No one is ready to risk his life after seeing signs.
That's why in life, it's good to avoid unnecessary arguments because you don't know what'll happen the next minute and you don't know who is who. Some people might be very close to fainting and after just a small argument, they faint and then you're held accountable. Not everybody is worth arguing or fighting with. If I had been those thugs in that situation, the moment he brought out the ticket, I wouldn't have delayed him any longer or confronted him anymore. I would just return his keys and let him off.

Header Image was taken by me.