Lagos Commuters Stranded As Danfo Drivers Protest Alleged Extortion
Commuters travelling along the Iyana-Ipaja/Iyana-Iba axis of Lagos were left stranded on Monday following a strike by commercial bus drivers over alleged persistent extortion by law enforcement and transport regulatory agencies.
The development disrupted transportation activities along the busy corridor as commercial buses, popularly known as danfos, withdrew their services, leaving passengers searching for alternative means of transportation.
The drivers reportedly embarked on the industrial action to protest what they described as incessant demands for money by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), popularly referred to as agberos.
The drivers, who spoke on the development, expressed frustration over what they described as the increasing financial burden associated with operating on the route.
According to them, alleged extortion by officials had become a daily occurrence, making it increasingly difficult for them to make reasonable returns from their businesses.
One of the major complaints raised by the drivers was the alleged frequent impoundment of their vehicles by LASTMA officials.
They claimed that their buses were sometimes impounded and kept for several hours, with the development resulting in the loss of an entire day’s income for both drivers and vehicle owners.
The drivers said the situation had become unbearable, particularly amid the rising cost of vehicle maintenance, fuel and other operational expenses.
They maintained that repeated enforcement actions and alleged demands for money had significantly affected their ability to operate profitably.
The industrial action consequently left many commuters stranded at various bus stops along the Iyana-Ipaja/Iyana-Iba corridor, with passengers reportedly forced to seek alternative transportation options.
The drivers said they decided to withdraw their services to draw the attention of relevant authorities to their grievances and demand an end to what they described as excessive and unlawful collections.
They appealed to the Lagos State Government and other relevant agencies to investigate their allegations and address the issues surrounding enforcement and transport operations along the route.
The drivers also called for clearer and more transparent enforcement procedures, arguing that this would reduce friction between commercial transport operators and government agencies.
