Commuters stranded as Lagos drivers begin 7-day strike over alleged extortion by police and motorpark thugs [Photos]

• The strike is due to the alleged extortion by the men of motor parks and garages management in the State

• The Joint Drivers’ Welfare Association of Nigeria in a statement by its lawyer said it had been subjected to indiscriminate extortion and violent harassment by the management of parks and garages in the state.

Some commuters were stranded in Lagos State on Monday as commercial bus drivers begin a seven-day strike.

Many commuters were forced to trek and struggle for the few available means of transportation in the wee hours of today.

The strike is due to the alleged extortion by the men of motor parks and garages management in the State.

The Joint Drivers’ Welfare Association of Nigeria in a statement by its lawyer, Ayo Ademiluyi, said it had been subjected to indiscriminate extortion and violent harassment by the management of parks and garages in the state.

The statement read in part, “As commercial drivers in Lagos State under the aegis of JDWAN, we are left with no choice than to embark on seven days of protest and boycott of services over multiple and excessive extortions by the management of parks and garages in the state.

“We have notified members of the public and the Lagos State Government over multiple and excessive extortions by the motor parks and garages management.

“The cost of transportation affects the cost of goods and services and consequently the cost of living, which has spiraled astronomically in Lagos State as a result of the effect of motor parks excessive and illegal ticketing and tolling at almost every bus stop.”

The group alleged that its members lost half of their income to motor park ticketing, stating that they got arrested whenever they refused to pay for the tickets.

The statement informed the public that some routes have as many as 25 bus stops “which also serve as illegal tax collection avenues”.

It revealed that from Badagry to Mile 2, between N3,500 & N5,000 is paid, apart from park hoodlums who collect N200 or N300 per bus. Buses plying Yaba to Ikeja pay at total of N1,300 – N200 at Jibowu, Onipanu N200, Elediye N200, Palmgrove N200, Total bus stop N100, Fadeyi N100, Anthony N100, Ikeja N200.

While heading back to Yaba, N500 each is paid at Palmgrove & Onipanu, Fadeyi & Total N500 each, Yaba N200, Lagos ticket N800.

The statement noted that when members resist extortion, they are arrested and forced to pay N10,000 for bail to the police while the motor park boys go free. The aggrieved drivers also claim they pay for entertainment, security, unit chairman’s food and many other levies “with threat of violence at any slight refusal”.