nigerian checkpoints
Just finished our trip through Nigeria and have some facts about checkpoints
From Benin to Cameroon via Chikada, Kaiama, Bida, Abuja, Makurdi, Oboja to Ekok via Drill ranch.
A total of 53 official checkpoints - either police, military or road safety. No problems at all - most did not stop us, the ones who did were usually friendly and responsive to our 'Good Morning, how are you' (big smile). Maybe 2 or 3 suggested a cold water/ gift but only halfheartedly and were very easily distracted.
The stickmen were our curse - we encountered 27 stickmen!! 17 of those were in the Cross River region taking the back road to Drill farm and then onto the border. Locals tell us that there has been an explosion in their numbers this past year and they have become increasingly violent/ aggressive.
The most aggressive stickmen we encountered were the 'famous' ones west of Abuja, then east of Abuja ( tried to rip off our wing mirror) They patrol the city bound traffic side of the highway but stormed in number over the carraigeway to surround us when they saw white people.
And the other very nasty one was in Oboja - very very luckily - a chinese engineer was being driven around with a armed military guard and he told his guard to come and rescue us. Very lucky escape.
Liked the Nigeria welcome and smile but hated the stickmen.
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