I decided to take a road trip via rail. From the west (Lagos) to the North (kano) of Nigeria, it was my first time and I decided to give it a try just to have another experience of another means of transportation. It was supposed to be a 48hrs journey tops, but I ended spending over 48hrs journey on it.

I've been so excited, I got to the station ( Babatunde Fashola Station, Agege, Lagos) early on Friday 25/02/22. Booked a first class ticket for $10. The services I got was so horrible, I had to wait for a while till someone nice could attend to me. Finally I was told my ride is going to come in late. That's where i started having my doubts, terrified and having a second thought to quit this mission I'm about to embark on. I remembered nothing works well in my country Nigeria.

Around 12:30pm on Friday 25/02/22. The train came into the station so I joined the ride with one courageous mind. We left Lagos heading to Ibadan, Oyo State, around 4:30pm/30km away from the Ibadan train station, the train just stopped all of a sudden right in the middle of a thick and dangerous forest. 80% of the passengers on it came down to figure out the reason why we stopped, only to find out that it was an engine problem and there's no spare part to replace the damaged part. We had to wait for 7hrs before another engine came all the way from Osogbo, Osun State to drag the train to the ibadan station.

I was so dissapointed and lost, because I can't go back home anymore. I just have to continue my journey. We spent another 2hrs again at the ibadan station getting the engine changed. Viola journey continued finally!. We made so many stops at every train station in every states we pass through, the journey was so slow and steady..

We made a stop at Offa, kwara state to refreshing up and the engine had to refill its fuel. Heading to Jebba, Kwara state. Still slow and steady movement.

THE ACCIDENT

Getting to bode-saadu axis, Jebba, kwara state. we heard a huge bang! And train stopped all of a sudden, some people were injured, some were shocked, but I managed to come down immediately for safety. I found out that the last three cargo-coaches has fell away from the tracks due to the unbalance on the tracks, a great disaster. We spent another 4-6hrs deliberating on what to do about and also recovering from the accident. Finally the NRC officials decided to leave the cargo-coaches, as assistant is on its way. We just have to continue our journey.

I was so terrified and scared, it was so late and the area was a dangerous area. Nigeria as a country is facing insecurities. I just scaled this through by the grace of God.

We continued our journey, made a few stops as usual at every station but I got to my destination so late in the evening 9:32pm on Sunday 27/02/22. I'm grateful to God for journey mercies. It was an horrible experience but I'm glad.

Thanks for going through my post... Do have a great week!.