Extortion: Lagos drivers stage protest, seek state govt intervention
By Jennifer S Kuwanta
Commercial bus drivers and conductors in Lagos have taken to the streets to demonstrate against the state’s extortion by touts known as agberos.
This morning, March 29, the demonstration was held in Lagos State along the Alakuko/Oshodi-Toll Gate axis.
“We don’t want agbero anymore,” the protesting drivers and conductors lamented.
Their protest was brought on by the agberos’ recent rise in the taxes they were required to pay.
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The drivers claimed that although they used to be required to pay a daily tax of N2,000, it is now N2,500.
The demonstrators displayed their displeasure via placards.
One of the placard reads: “We survive LASTMA, task force, agbero, & bad road every day.”
“Enough of agbero intimidation,” Another placard reads.
The drivers bemoaned the fact that the agberos proceed to wreck their vehicles once they refuse to pay the outrageous fees.
They claimed that after deducting levies from all of their profits, they are left with almost nothing at the end of the day.
They requested a meeting with MC Oluomo, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers for Lagos State Council, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State.
