Commercial drivers to boycott Lagos roads over alleged extortion by park officials

The joint drivers welfare association of Nigeria (JDWAN) says it would embark on a seven-day boycott of Lagos roads, beginning from Monday, October 31, 2022.

Akintade Abiodun, national leader, JDWAN, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying that the decision was due to extortion by the management of motor parks and garages in the state.

Abiodun said after meeting with Lagos state representatives; including Abdulhafiz Toriola, the permanent secretary, Lagos ministry of transportation; the motor park management liaison officer; and Hakeem Odumosu, assistant inspector-general, on Friday; there has not been any concrete response to the association’s demands.

“The Lagos state government has since made no concrete response to JDWAN demands, rather, their representatives only asked for another letter to be submitted on Monday, which is regarded as a joke on our part, having released a press statement with concise demands. We also honoured the demand to deliver copies of the letter to the Lagos state government, the state security service, the commissioner of police, Abiodun Alabi, and commissioner for transport,” the statement reads.

“The retired AIG (Odumosu) also expressly said they couldn’t get rid of bus stop extortionists because they were working for the state government. He also suggested that the chairman of the Lagos state parks and garages management committee, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, could organise thugs to attack us and we would be blamed or credited for the violence – all in a failed fear-mongering tactics. Also, the assistant to the transport commissioner threatened to arrest us and our lawyer while in their office.”

In the statement, the JDWAN also claimed that the alleged comments on threat by Odumosu, that MC Oluomo could attack its members, “is already happening through one Sile Sekoni (aka burger) of Badagry roundabout motor park management branch, Jafo (Oniba of Iba) of the caretaker committee, Iba branch, Seyi Bamgbose (known as a student) of Iyana Iba caretaker committee branch, who threatened to beat and kill drivers on Monday”.

“Lagosians must be aware that if anything happens to our drivers, the persons named above should be held responsible,” Abiodun said.

“It is pertinent to note that there is an existing restraining court order granted by Justice P.O Lifu of the federal high court, Ikoyi, against the Lagos state government and all transport agencies, stopping them from ticketing, or collecting bus stop levies, motor park levies, dues and any form of extortion from commercial drivers.”

Backing his claims on the court order, Abiodun added that the case is marked suit no: FHC/L/CS/224/2022 between applicant and Olukoya Ogungbeje, lawyer, transport union society of Nigeria; and respondents, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, road transport employers association of Nigeria, Nigerian association of road transport owners, MC Oluomo, Mohammed Musa, Lawal Yusuf, Lagos state government, the state attorney general, inspector-general of police, and the director-general of the state security service (SSS).

Restating the demands, the national leader said JDWAN wants the court order to be obeyed; noting that it kicks against paying motor park “thugs” at every bus stop.

It added that “all illegal money at garages and parks must stop; harassment of law enforcement agencies and intimidation (allegedly with guns, cutlasses and broken bottles) by the Lagos state Traffic Management Authority task force (LASTMA) and the rapid response squad (RRS) must end immediately”. 

Other demands are that the Lagos state government should build and assign more bus stops for commercial use to avoid arrest by LASTMA for dropping off passengers at existing bus stops which are known to commuters as official bus stops.

“Once again, we are calling all Lagos commercial drivers, commuters, civil society organisations and residents to observe the seven days boycott on Monday, October 31; stay at home and not ply any road for commercial purposes or block any road whatsoever,” the statement added.

“All drivers should enjoy their day with their families without extortion and violence from the ‘Agberos’ (hoodlums) of motor park management and caretaker committee since the government has refused to show any sign of stopping the state-approved extortion.

“We are also giving the Lagos state government a seven-day ultimatum to respond to our demands.

“JDWAN and all justice-loving citizens should remain law-abiding; refrain from blocking the roads, avoid violent confrontation and demonstrations.”