Lagos Bus Drivers To Stop Work On Monday Over Extortion, Thugs

The Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN) said a seven-day boycott of Lagos roads will begin on Monday, October 31, 2022, in protest to extortion by the management of motor parks and garages and thugs.

In a statement released on Sunday, the national leader of JDWAN, Akintade Abiodun, said the Lagos State government, chairman of the Lagos State parks and garages management committee, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, among others have refused to obey a subsisting court order. 

According to Abiodun, a standing order on a case marked suit no: FHC/L/CS/224/2022, kicked against extortion or paying persons he described as thugs at each bus-stops in the area of the state. 

The seven days boycott is a form of ultimatum to the government to adhere to their demands, which include end to collection of levy at every bus-stops, and creation of new bus-stops to enable them avoid arrest by Lagos state Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) task force. 

The statement also reads in part: “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  (LASTMA) task force and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) must end immediately.” 

He explained that their demands have been ignored since a meeting was held on Friday between representatives of JDWAN, Lagos state government representatives; the permanent secretary, Lagos ministry of transportation, Abdulhafiz Toriola, the motor park management representative; and Assistant Inspector-General, Hakeem Odumosu. 

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“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.” Abiodun said. 

Extortionist, thugs working for Lagos State Government?

According to JDWAN, the group was informed by Odumosu that the “extortionists” work for the Lagos State government, as a result, the police are unable to remove them from the bus-stop. 

The group also said they were told that MC Oluomo could attack them, through the use of thugs, during their protest, and the members of JDWAN will be blamed for it. 

“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.” 

Abiodun said they are already being threatened by some thugs who threatened to beat and kill drivers on Monday, “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.” 

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

The head of JDWAN called on, “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.” 

Members of JDWAN were advised to, “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.” 

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