“someone will sit somewhere and demand money for no reason, just because they have a gun and a uniform.”
Drivers in several areas of Lagos State, including Iyana-Ipaja, Ikotun, and Berger, have raised concerns about a new extortion method allegedly employed by the police, involving the use of local louts, known as “agberos,” to collect money from them.
Drivers claim they are forced to pay between N200 and N500 at various bus stops, with non-compliance resulting in the impounding of their vehicles.
The drivers blame these practices for the rising cost of transportation across the state, which in turn, burdens passengers.
According to PUNCH News who monitored the situation in these areas on Wednesday, observed that police personnel stationed at these bus stops employed the services of louts, known locally as “agberos,” to extort money from the drivers. It was discovered that the louts would approach bus conductors to demand payments, often referred to as “owo olopa” or “owo security” on behalf of the police.
A driver, Yemi Tajudeen, expressed frustration over the issue, stating,“The level of extortion we face as drivers in Lagos is overwhelming. The police now use agberos to collect money from us. They have people who act as agents to collect the money, and if you refuse, they can impound your vehicle.
“We pay between N200 and N500 as “owo olopa” or “owo security” at most major bus stops. As business people, we have no choice but to factor this into the transport fares we charge. So, people shouldn’t blame us when fares are high.”
Another driver, identified as Kunle, noted that the actions of the police had worsened the hardship faced by passengers, who ultimately bear the financial burden.
“As long as the police continue to extort drivers, passengers will be the ones affected because we will include the money we pay to them (agberos and the police) in the fares we charge,” Kunle stressed.
In the Berger area, a driver named Wale urged the Lagos State Police Command to address the issue, calling for measures to restore public trust in the force.
“I don’t like the police because the money I pay to them isn’t voluntary. After facing the dangers of driving on the highway, someone will sit somewhere and demand money for no reason, just because they have a gun and a uniform.
“The police authority needs to address this extortion problem among its officers so that people can begin to trust them again,” Wale added.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Taskforce has continued operations to dislodge drivers using bus stops as unofficial parks. Taskforce spokesperson Raheem Gbadeyanka warned that such actions violated Lagos traffic laws and contributed to worsening traffic conditions.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, had not responded to calls and messages seeking comment at the time of this report.
Punch News.
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