A passport is a form of identification used to travel. A traveler without a passport can’t cross a border in any civilized world, but in many parts of Africa, it is possible, because many officers depend on travelers without passports for their extra income.
Some of the immigration officers at various borders in Africa are very cruel. They refuse to understand a passenger or traveler saying “I have no money,” when they demand it, despite having a passport in your possession.
After severely beaten by one of the immigration officers for crossing a closed border, I lost all my money to him in addition. The journey from Ghana to Nigeria was a rough one, since a failed coup in one of the neighboring countries has led to the closure of the borders.
I managed to reach Lagos the capital city of Nigeria, now changed to Abuja. After struggling in the city for six months, I had an invitation from friends in Barcelona, Spain, to come and join them. They claimed they were doing well. The mistake I did was, I didn’t ask them what they do for living?
A week before flying to Barcelona, I was kidnapped by armed robbers and pushed into the rear seat of a private car. I had my ticket and passport in a little bag I was holding. The bag that I was holding was the attraction. They probably thought I had thousands of dollars inside.
With the butt of the rifles they were holding hitting every part of my body, I made it ‘do or die’ battle. I pressed the bag firmly between my knees. They couldn’t pull it out. From the rear seat I jumped to join the driver and occupied the empty seat. I opened the door of the vehicle while in motion and the driver pushed me from the seat and I fell.
Road of Agony is truly emotional, sad and touching story.
Some of the immigration officers at various borders in Africa are very cruel. They refuse to understand a passenger or traveler saying “I have no money,” when they demand it, despite having a passport in your possession.
After severely beaten by one of the immigration officers for crossing a closed border, I lost all my money to him in addition. The journey from Ghana to Nigeria was a rough one, since a failed coup in one of the neighboring countries has led to the closure of the borders.
I managed to reach Lagos the capital city of Nigeria, now changed to Abuja. After struggling in the city for six months, I had an invitation from friends in Barcelona, Spain, to come and join them. They claimed they were doing well. The mistake I did was, I didn’t ask them what they do for living?
A week before flying to Barcelona, I was kidnapped by armed robbers and pushed into the rear seat of a private car. I had my ticket and passport in a little bag I was holding. The bag that I was holding was the attraction. They probably thought I had thousands of dollars inside.
With the butt of the rifles they were holding hitting every part of my body, I made it ‘do or die’ battle. I pressed the bag firmly between my knees. They couldn’t pull it out. From the rear seat I jumped to join the driver and occupied the empty seat. I opened the door of the vehicle while in motion and the driver pushed me from the seat and I fell.
Road of Agony is truly emotional, sad and touching story.
