Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, has explained how Bola Tinubu’s supported non-state actors, popularly known as ‘Agberos’ (motor park thugs) extort N120 billion from commercial drivers in Lagos annually.
Sowore, who said this in a series of tweets on Thursday, described the act of extortion as the main reason why the commercial drivers’ union in the state embarked on strike on Monday, an action which has caused many commuters hardship for the past four days.
He wrote, “@officialBAT backed non-state extortionists are the reason Lagos commuters are suffering due to strike by road transport workers tired of these shenanigans. These extortions by non-state actors in Lagos State are stated below:
“Big Bus – named “LT”Are made to cough out N14,000 & N15,000 daily. Small Bus – named “Danfo” between N8,500 & N9,000 daily.
“Tricycle named “Keke” between N1,400 & N1,700 daily. Motorcycle named “Okada” between N800 & N1,200 daily. Apart from drivers, market women are also broadly extorted by @officialABAT‘s daughter known. #WeCantContinueLikeThis
The total amount collected per annum is about N120 billion. Transport unions are currently protesting the crude exploitation while commuters are groaning on the roads. #WeCantContinueLikeThis,” the AAC presidential candidate added.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters reported on Wednesday that the strike embarked upon by commercial drivers in Lagos State would continue as the leadership of the Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN) failed to reach an agreement with the state government to end the action.
The drivers have boycotted services across the state over alleged extortion of their members by the management of parks and garages in the state, as well as those attached to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN)
The Lagos State Government subsequently waded into the matter.
A meeting on Wednesday between the government and JDWAN leadership on ending the strike action ended in a deadlock, the National Leader of the association, Akintade S. Abiodun said in a statement.
Abiodun said vehicles of members that were vandalised by motor park thugs were yet to be repaired while two drivers were still being detained at Morogbo police station without committing any crime.