35 Years on the Asphalt: Anifat Bello’s Journey as Ogun’s Iconic Traffic Warden

​After standing tall on the bustling asphalt of Ogun State for 35 years, Anifat Bello has finally hung up her uniform. The newly retired traffic warden, whose infectious energy and dedication recently made waves across social media, reflects on a career defined by resilience, close encounters with danger, and an unwavering passion for service.

​Bello’s entry into the force was entirely unintentional. Hailing from Idowa in Ijebu-Ode, her original dream was to further her education and study Business Administration in Ibadan. However, after falling short of height requirements for a police recruitment exam, she was later called back through a secondary admission list—only to discover upon arriving at the training school that she had stepped into a career as a traffic warden. With her secretarial studies options closed, she embraced the path, ultimately posted to the Ilaro Division to begin a three-decade journey.

​Throughout her tenure, Bello faced formidable obstacles. Stationed in Ilaro during the 1990s, she recalled the palpable fear caused by the notorious armed robber Shina Rambo, then known locally as “Senior Boy,” whose presence sent entire neighborhoods into hiding. Her dedication also came at a physical cost; between 1997 and 1998, while managing traffic at Iyana Mortuary in Abeokuta, she was struck by a vehicle. Rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, she discovered two of her teeth had been knocked out—injuries she later replaced with artificial implants, courtesy of the driver who stayed to cover her medical bills.

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​Despite enduring the dismissive moniker “Yellow Fever”—a popular nickname for traffic wardens during an era when soldiers were dubbed “zombies”—Bello remained fiercely proud of her profession. She rejects the notion that traffic control is a menial occupation, noting that a significant portion of her colleagues hold polytechnic and university degrees.

​Balancing the demands of a high-stress public safety role with raising a family required rigorous discipline. Bello shared that her daily routine often began as early as 4:00 AM to cook for her children, prepare their lunch boxes, and drop them at school before heading out to brave the morning rush at notorious gridlocks like the NNPC Junction in Ibara.

​Now, as she looks back on a career that outlasted many of her peers—some of whom passed away or fell ill before reaching retirement—Bello expresses profound gratitude. While uncertainties remain regarding her forthcoming gratuity, her primary message to the government is a plea for mercy and fair consideration for retired officers. Having inspired a new generation of transit officers, including personnel from the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Bello leaves behind a legacy of grit, grace, and an enduring love for the road.