World of physically challenged traffic wardens •How deaf, dumb persons control traffic in Lagos

GBENGA ADENIJI  writes about the world of physically challenged persons who control traffic in Lagos State regardless of their disabilities

The road was busy as motorists drove hastily through Wempco Road to link an intersection connecting Omole and Ogba Bus Stop. Pedestrians also walked briskly to avoid being hit by any of the speeding drivers plying the bumpy road while a self-appointed traffic warden stood behind a traffic box, directing motorists.

Though physically deformed, the way he gave ‘stop’ and ‘move’ orders to motorists caught the attention of many passers-by who watched him with admiration. Although his words were not coherent, his hand signals were enough warning to any car owner not to move until told otherwise. He could not even talk with SUNDAY PUNCH as he was busy and also because of his state.

Our correspondent gathered that the unofficial traffic warden, who is popularly known as Taiwo in the area, is a wonder to many people who have seen him control traffic. A recharge cards seller in the area, who identified herself as Ogechi, said Taiwo controls traffic well to the surprise of many of those who have encountered him because of his plight.

She also said he does not care whether a motorist was speeding or not as he ensured that the driver complied with his directive to maintain free flow of traffic.

Ogechi said, “I have seen him many times controlling traffic at the Sunday Market area. He does the work so well that you will think he is being paid. I think people who appreciate him sometimes give him money.”

A motorist, who drove through the area when  our correspondent visited the place, was seen throwing some N20 notes on the ground for Taiwo.

But Taiwo’s devotion to what he was doing surprised those who witnessed the development. He did not immediately pick the naira notes. It took him some minutes as he was still controlling traffic when the Good Samaritan motorist threw out the money for him. After noticing that the traffic was lighter, he bent down to pick the notes one by one.

When our correspondent visited where Taiwo lives in Ifako area in Ifako-Ijaye Local Government Area of Lagos State, he was sleeping. After some minutes, a neighbour woke him up and said one of the  ways Taiwo could hear and respond to questions was for one to make a loud noise of the intended questions into his ears.

Despite doing that, Taiwo just glanced at our correspondent and continued sleeping. SUNDAY PUNCH observed a pile of clothing including a lemon-coloured reflective jacket worn to traffic control behind where he lay.

A man, who said Taiwo is his elder brother and who refused to give his name, said Taiwo has been controlling traffic in the state for over seven years.

He said, “He is my elder brother. I cannot deny that he is my relation because of his situation. I also know that he controls traffic in some areas in the state. I do not know whether anybody pays him because I only come to where he stays occasionally. He is a twin and Kehinde is not always around too, otherwise he would have spoken with you.”

He further said he felt Taiwo chose to control traffic rather than do any other work because he derives satisfaction from what he does.

After some time, the man beckoned on Taiwo who was fully awake then to come but he refused his call. The man later told our correspondent that he would no longer entertain any questions.

SUNDAY PUNCH gathered that besides the NOB-Oluwa Street near Sunday Market end of Ogba area where Taiwo controls, he is now a popular face along Yaya Abatan Road linking Ogba and Iju Water Works Road.

A motorist, Bayo Akinlade, said the first time he saw Taiwo was along Yaya Abatan Junction on a Saturday evening.

“I was surprised with the way he was controlling traffic the first day I saw him. He waved me to stop as I made to drive in through Yaya Abatan Junction to Moyo Agoro. I obeyed him.  Considering his disability and the way he waved his hands that day, I took a special interest in him. Each time I pass the road and see him, I endeavour to give him money.

“I have seen other road users who also appreciate him by giving him money. In my view, I think people like him should be encouraged by the government in another way because it shows they are useful,” he said.

 The physical state of Taiwo is not different from that of Ahmed Sanni who also lightens the burden of traffic in one of the roads in Ojokoro council area. But while Taiwo is believed to possess the capacity to respond to conversation when the words are repeated many times, Sanni is deaf and dumb.

Sanni’s way of controlling traffic is also amazing. Our correspondent witnessed how he cautioned motorists who wanted to flout a one-way traffic sign even as he ensured orderliness to avoid head-on collision.

One of the people who have watched him carry out the activity many times in the area told our correspondent that he does it with gusto.

The lady who declined to give her name said Sanni controls traffic in a way that has endeared many motorists who ply the route where he always stands to him. “He is a very wonderful guy. He is doing his best in the area of traffic control. I was so angry one day when a motorist called him an imbecile. I found that word unfair on him because he is just doing his best to ensure that they comply with road signs,” the lady said.

A driver who pleaded anonymity told SUNDAY PUNCH that initially he did not take Sanni  seriously for some days whenever he drove pass the area until he took time to study him.

He said it was after a careful observation that he noticed that he actually knew what he was doing.

According to him, Sanni can control traffic alone even if his other colleagues are not there to oversee him.

Sanni’s uncle, Mr. Yusuf Balogun, said Sanni had been controlling traffic for some years. He said Sanni has other siblings in Ibadan, Oyo State, but that he invited him to Lagos after his father died in active service as a police officer.

He added that before now, Sanni could not put food in his mouth without throwing it away even after three attempts. According to him, he is always happy to see him walk because it was a difficult task for him many years ago.

He stated, “His mother is my sister and I was the one who took him from Ibadan to Lagos in order to cater for him well. When he was young, he could hardly sit down. I remember that someone told me to allow him to be sweeping so that he could be standing little by little. I had wondered the effect such form of house chore would have on him. Like magic, it helped him gradually because he now stands and I am always happy anytime I see him walk around.’’

Balogun further said he is amazed at how Sanni is often aware that a vehicle is coming behind him since he can neither hear nor speak.

He further said some officials of the council, on the order of the chairman, Mr. Benjamin Olabinjo, came to his house one day to say they wanted to assist Sanni in his traffic control activity.

“I am the one who caters for him and I thank God who is helping me in that regard. But I must say since people appreciate what Sanni does in this council area, the chairman of the local government has also taken interest in him by rendering support. He approves that he should be paid monthly. I still do the little God empowers me to do for Sanni,” he said.

Balogun stated that he opened a salary account for him because he was confident that Sanni would overcome his disability. “I have faith in God about that,” he said.

SUNDAY PUNCH gathered that Sanni is paid N10,000 monthly by the council as its way of supporting his upkeep.

Balogun also said he was of the view that God was using Sanni to continue with some of the humanitarian services his father was unable to finish as a policeman before his death.

He recalled that Sanni once had a nasty experience with a driver who felt he had unnecessarily delayed him while controlling traffic.

It was gathered that the motorist deceived Sanni into boarding his vehicle, took him away from the spot and abandoned him in a location within Alimosho Local Government Area of the state.

Balogun said it took three days before Sanni was found and brought home by a Good Samaritan.

“It was through an interpreter that we learnt that a driver he stopped, who was trying to drive recklessly, was the one who tricked him into boarding his vehicle. He later abandoned him at a place in Alimosho before he was seen and brought home,” Balogun said.

Rabiu Sulaiman is another ‘traffic warden’ who is physically challenged. He is from the northern part of the country and controls traffic at Omole Junction, Ogba and Olowu Street intersections, linking Obafemi Awolowo Way.

Sulaiman said he lost one of his limbs during a road accident and since begging was not an option for him, he opted to controlling traffic to support his family of four.

He said he had no particular spot but controls traffic in different parts of Ikeja, especially in places where there were no traffic wardens.

A car battery dealer on Olowu Street, Mr. Jude Okonkwo, said Sulaiman no longer control traffic at Olowu since last year.

He said it was possible that the drafting of traffic policemen to man the intersection was responsible for his ‘disappearance.’

Okonkwo said, “He tried to ensure smooth flow of traffic whenever he was around. People gave him tips too and you could see on his face that he enjoyed the activity. He was a regular face at the Olowu intersection. There is no way one would not notice him standing on crutches and waving his hand in the appropriate direction to motorists.’’

Our correspondent noticed that three policemen are now stationed at the Olowu intersection to make sure that traffic goes unhindered. The same applies at the Omole Junction where a team of traffic policemen and men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority control traffic.

When contacted on what the state government was doing to support these physically challenged persons, Public Relations Officer, LASTMA, Mrs. Bola Ajao, said she would investigative to know if there are such individuals who assist in controlling traffic in the state and get back to our correspondent.

But her telephone was unreachable when SUNDAY PUNCH tried to reach her before going to the press.

Also, spokesperson for the state Police Command, Ngozi Braide, did not reply to the text message sent to her phone after she asked our correspondent to send her a text on the matter.

The phenomenon is not restricted to Lagos or Nigeria, a report in an Indian online portal, Advocates in India, stated that about 20 physically challenged people have been employed by the Indian government to assist the traffic police to control traffic in 20 busiest crossings of the city.

The report indicated that a proposal to the effect was prepared by the circle officer traffic, Rakesh Nayak to improve the city traffic.

Nayak was quoted as saying before deploying the handicaps, the traffic department would give them training about traffic rules and behaviour.

According to the report, at least one challenged person each will be posted at every busy crossing and if the experiment proves successful, the same will be implemented at other crossings.

Nayak said, “If people can’t follow the signals of handicapped persons then nobody can change the mentality of law breakers.”

Revealing the details of the  scheme, he said the traffic department was trying to ensure that some business houses adopt the physically challenged  and provide them with financial assistance per month

Speaking on the trend, Executive Secretary, Never Again Nigeria, Mr. Ahmed Jaji, urged Non-Governmental Organisations to assist physically challenged persons who control traffic across the country.

He said it was obvious that such persons are useful to the society and would do more if given the necessary support.

Jaji said, ‘‘I remember when I was in Kano with the defunct Century Merchant Bank. I used to see mentally challenged persons controlling traffic in the city. They were not even physically challenged. They gave orders to those who are supposedly mentally stable.

“If a motorist abuses or disregards their orders, I think there are questions to be asked about the mental state of the person. You see some police traffic wardens chasing motorcycle riders whereas these physically and mentally challenged individuals ensure a flow of traffic.”