As the train leaves Lagos, passengers watch the countryside passing by. Most passengers are hot. There is no air conditioning, except in the first-class car or private rooms. When the train stops, passengers hurry to buy soft drinks, water, nuts and fruit at the railroad station.
No railroad worker announces that the train is prepared to leave and there are no steps into the train cars. So when the train starts moving, passengers must jump on quickly. The train usually moves much slower than the promised top speed of 50 kilometers an hour.
The next morning the train is in northern Nigeria. At every stop overnight, more and more passengers filled the cars. “I’ve been standing for past five hours. Some of us have been standing for seven, eight hours now.”
On the second day of the trip, the train cars are so full that luggage and other belongings fill the washrooms.
The train reaches Kaduna State at about 6 o’clock. This is the time it was supposed to arrive in Kano, about 200 kilometers farther north.
A security officer warns passengers they are now in an area known for violence.
“Kano is one of the most security-dangerous areas that we need to be on our toes. We are on our optimum, optimum vigilance. As we are going to Kano watch out to every passenger that come in.”
Early the next morning, the train finally enters the Kano train station. Local officials say the city is at the center of the Boko Haram rebellion against the central government. The trip from Lagos to Kano took 37 and ½ hours. Tired passengers leave the train and move quickly away from the station. On the train, workers now prepare for the return trip down the length of Nigeria.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25