Jimmy Khoury, a Lebanese businessman in Nigeria, recently recounted a touching experience involving a traffic officer who saved his driver from losing his job, showcasing the strong sense of community among Nigerians.
In a LinkedIn post on Monday, Khoury described the incident during a trip to Ibadan, Oyo State, with his driver, Sunday. Their journey took an unexpected turn when a traffic officer stopped their vehicle to check for compliance with regulations.
Everything seemed routine until the officer noted that the car was missing a reflective sticker on the back, which is a violation of traffic laws. Khoury recounted, “Sunday quickly gathered the car documents and presented them. The officer inspected the papers, circled the car, and returned with a serious expression.”
Unmoved by Sunday’s pleas in Yoruba, the officer insisted that the vehicle be towed to the station for further action. Since the officer was not a Yoruba speaker, he remained firm in his decision.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Khoury intervened, asking, “Why are you arresting us?” The officer explained that the absence of the reflective sticker was a serious infraction. Despite Khoury’s attempts to negotiate, the officer was resolute about towing the vehicle.
In a bid to shift the officer’s perspective, Khoury pretended to consider firing his driver over the incident. “I told the officer to take the car, and that I would immediately dismiss Sunday for his carelessness,” Khoury recalled. This tactic caught the officer off guard.
Concerned about Sunday losing his job, the officer and his colleagues quickly pleaded with Khoury to reconsider, saying, “Please, Sir, don’t fire him. He has a family. The rule only came into effect this morning; there’s no way he could have known.”
After a moment of feigned contemplation, Khoury agreed to let Sunday keep his job, much to the officer’s relief. The officer then allowed them to leave, advising Sunday to obtain the necessary sticker promptly.
Reflecting on the encounter, Khoury remarked, “I realized how deeply Nigerians care for one another. It’s a bond that can only be understood by living here.” As they drove away, Sunday expressed his gratitude, saying, “This is Nigeria for you.”
