Daniel Chibuzo, a commercial driver operating in Lagos State, has re-echoed the complaints of many motorists that the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) and Lagos State Taskforce officials harass them for no good reason.
Chibuzo turned to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos to call the state officials to order through a post on X on Wednesday.
“Dear Jide Sanwo-Olu, I am yet to understand why after paying all the necessary road tickets and Agberos in Lagos State in order to drive my danfo (minibus), I won’t still have peace on the road courtesy of your @Taskforce112 and @followlastma chasing me like a criminal,” Chibuzo wrote.
LASTMA officials extorting a commercial bus driver.
“… I am just a guy legitimately hustling for my daily bread on Lagos roads. Yesterday was the second time I was arrested by your @Taskforce112 all in November. Please I have bills and responsibilities and also a life to live; your agencies are draining me mentally.
“Danfo drivers are not criminals nor thieves; our lives matter. My degree certificate as a public administrator is somewhere in my bag. As I no see job, please allow me to serve the public in peace with my danfo. Or, should I report to your secretariat for a job offer? I won’t mind. My mental health as of yesterday’s incident, only God knows the percentage at the moment
FIJ saw that Chibuzo paid N1,600 in daily levies to the Lagos State Park and Garages Administrator and the state government on Wednesday alone. Chibuzo said that he paid more than that amount every day.
Chibuzo’s complaints were corroborated by more witnesses in the comments section. Some commenters expressed their dissatisfaction with multiple taxation on Lagos State roads, while others narrated personal experiences of extortion in the hands of Lagos State Taskforce officials.
Commercial drivers could only manage to embark on a day-long strike on November 13 on the same grievances Chibuzor had.
