‘Why I love controlling traffic at 59’

Ango Manu, 59, has spent over three decades serving as a road traffic warden with the Nigeria Police.

He says he chose to work as a traffic warden because he loves the job.

 “I am fascinated by the kind of service they render to the public which is full of diligence, commitment and selflessness,” he says.

Over time, Ango has distinguished himself as a dutiful officer. He is easily  noticed by  motorists along roads in  Sokoto metropolis, where he exhibits with dexterity in traffic control, integrating hard-to-imitate body language skills into the job.

Ango is firm in controlling traffic and courteous in reprimanding offenders, which   makes him very popular among residents of the city.

In year 2000, when he got a fractured leg from an auto accident on his way to work, road users who appreciated his service settled his medical bills and offered to look after him till he recovered.

 Born to a Fulani clan in Kaoje town,  Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Ango attended the Kaoje Primary School from 1967 to 1975 and Wasagu Government Secondary School but dropped out in Form 2 in 1977. His parents, who earlier opposed his quest for western education, took him to an uncle in Dahomey, Benin Republic, where he started rearing cattle.

But shortly after that, Ango took ill. The situation got worse, and he was returned to his parents. 

As soon as he got better, his older brother took him to Kano where he enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1980, but spent just a year due to lack of interest. He then left Kano for Sokoto, and started selling provisions at the Central Market under the supervision of a brother in-law.

In 1982, Ango enrolled in the Police Training School, Sokoto and trained for six months. He was to choose either the traffic warden division or become a regular police constable.

He opted for the traffic division because of the kind of service they render. Ango is grateful to God for who he is today, though he laments stagnation in service, as he said he spent 24 years as a Sergeant before being elevated to an Inspector in 2013.

He has a wife and 16 children, including nine males and seven females.

Due to retire from service in eight months, he encourages patience and honesty.

He advises that one needs patience while dealing with other people, just as one needs to also be fair and honest in discharging responsibilities.

Ango is however disturbed by motorists’ poor compliance with road traffic rules, describing it as a great challenge.

 “They don’t bother about traffic lights, that is why we have to be around, even where such lights exist, to avoid accidents,” he says.