The most prominent form of transportation in Abuja are taxis. And the drivers usually take 2 passengers in the front seat. I always see the subtle “Ah, thank God” expression on their faces when I approach to board their vehicle because I’m skinny and that means the front seat won’t be so tight. On this day, I was on my way home, it was around 7pm, dark. The taxi was almost at my destination, but some people had to come down before then.

One person alighted from the front seat, leaving just me; two alighted from the back seat, leaving two people. Normally, after dropping passengers, the drivers attempt to get more passengers. So, the driver had to wait for a bit to load. One person came-a man-to board the vehicle. Now, in this situation where you have two at the back and one in front, it only makes sense to go to the back where it’s more spacious, right? Instead, the man came to sit at the front with me.

My first thought was “as how?”. Because why would you come to the front when there’s space at the back. I had to turn around to see if maybe I miscounted the number of people that alighted but it was actualy 2 people left, two men left.

Omo..all the alarms in my head started ringing. On one hand, I was thinking “one-chance” and on the other hand I was thinking “Sex trafficking”

I just told the man to excuse me so I could come down. The taxi man was saying things like “why you no come down since? Na now wey I carry passenger”. I just couldn’t. I came down even though that wasn’t my stop. I ended up spending an extra 500 to get home. But my safety is worth more than that.