Mushin is believed to be one of the roughest areas in Lagos, what with the spontaneous riots, fights and agbero clashes. Yet, ironically, it turns out to be one of the most organized–kinda how you’d expect areas like Ajah to be.
Heading towards Mushin or getting out of the area while using public transport is saner than you’d expect.
Although, the bus conductors usually jump on and off the danfos at will, giving the drivers minute-to-minute billing; invoice being the number of passengers the freelance conductor gets, then he’s paid after the head count.
Where you’d expect a frantic ratrace during rush hour traffic, Mushin remains serene. There’s even a queue at the keke napep parks; particularly those for Shitta, Ojuelegba and Lawanson.
Amazingly, there’s usually no congested traffic in Mushin, as bad as the roads are. Especially in places like Bishop Street Junction, Idioro (plantain & pineapple market), Regina Mundi Catholic Church road down to Olosa bus-stop by Lagos Cheshire Home.
But, God help you if it rains heavily while your keke napep driver passes those roads with potholes as big as a whale’s mouth.
If the fear of a massive trailer falling on your head doesn’t kill you then the thought of drinking that dirty, smelly and slimy water when you fall in would.
Also, don’t get caught during the agbero clashes. Chances are, you will run away and leave your car door open–olori di ori e mu, eni ti ori ba yo o dile(everyman for himself, save your neck)!
I can’t help but wonder how it’s possible for such a mad place to be even calmer than Obalende.
Maybe that’s what you get in a place where there are no rules; every fu*k up will be treated immediately.
Maybe that’s why everyone just maintains an orderliness that belies the madness within.
