NIGERIA: A break-dancing policeman directs traffic with his fluid moves and keeps motorists entertained during rush hour in Nigeria's capital, Abuja

Record ID: 235330

  • Title: NIGERIA: A break-dancing policeman directs traffic with his fluid moves and keeps motorists entertained during rush hour in Nigeria's capital, Abuja
  • Date: 26th October 2011
  • Summary: ABUJA, NIGERIA (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CORPORAL SEBUL AUDU, TRAFFIC POLICEMAN DIRECTING VEHICLES AS HE DANCES CARS MOVING IN TRAFFIC VARIOUS OF AUDU MOVING HAND TO DIRECT MOTORISTS AUDU DANCING/DIRECTING CARS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SEBUL AUDU, TRAFFIC POLICEMAN SAYING: "The joy I derive from this is, what inspires me mostly is the movement of the vehicles and the people, you know when they see me working, they will be praising me you know, it's the kind of thing that motivates me to work more." CARS WAITING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) NGOZI CHIKWELU, ABUJA RESIDENT, SAYING: "He is very good at least he keeps us busy and gives us a rest of mind when we are in traffic and we enjoy him a lot." AUDU DANCING ON ROAD (SOUNDBITE) (English) GRACE DAUDA, ABUJA RESIDENT SAYING: "I feel he is so committed, dedicated and he should be rewarded, there are some of them that are very ignorant of what they are supposed to do but this one is committed." AUDU DIRECTING TRAFFIC (SOUNDBITE) (English) HENRY SEMEKA, ABUJA RESIDENT SAYING: "What can I tell you, I mean he is doing his job and he's enjoying it, that's what patriotism is all about." AUDU DRINKING WATER/GETTING BACK TO WORK AUDU CONTROLLING TRAFFIC CARS AUDU AT WORK
  • Embargoed: 10th November 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria, Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA6G3407LAUFUQ6G18UEBRT0RYV
  • Story Text: Its rush hour in Nigeria's capital, Abuja and for traffic policeman Corporal Sebul Audu its time to dance.
    Every morning, the 46 year-old takes his position at one of the busiest road junctions in the city and uses break dance moves to keeps the traffic flowing.
    Audu said he joined the Nigerian police force in 1992 because he loved the profession and vowed to be the best at his job.
    Nigeria's police force has a reputation tainted especially by accusations of corruption.
    He says, people tend to take themselves too seriously, and especially law enforcers. He wants people to appreciate the humanity of the police force and know that not all policemen are the same.
    "The joy I derive from this is, what inspires me mostly is the movement of the vehicles and the people, you know when they see me working, they will be praising me you know, it's the kind of thing that motivates me to work more," said Audu.
    The Corporal says his unique style of directing traffic is called "thriller", named after late pop star, Michael Jackson's hit song. He says he borrowed the moves from the music video which he watched on a neighbors television.
    The father of two blames Nigeria's agonizing rush hour jams on reckless drivers and adds that he finds joy in seeing motorists happy going about their business and following traffic laws.
    For the motorists, Audu brings a very unique relief.
    "He is very good at least he keeps us busy and gives us a rest of mind when we are in traffic and we enjoy him a lot," said Ngozi Chikwelu.
    "I feel he is so committed dedicated and he should be rewarded, there are some of them that are very ignorant of what they are supposed to do but this one is committed," said Grace Dauda.
    "What can I tell you, I mean he is doing his job and he's enjoying it, that's what patriotism is all about," said Henry Semeka.
    The street junction that Audu controls has a set of traffic lights but they hardly ever work because of frequent power blackouts.
    Africa's largest oil exporter, Nigeria still lacks sufficient electricity supply for its 150 million people despite investing billion in dollars in power generation.
    In the meantime Abuja is working on plans to expand expressways and other roads to help ease congestion within the city.
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