Commercial bus drivers and conductors in Lagos have taken to the streets to protest extortion by tout locally called agberos, in the state.
The protest took place this morning, March 29, around Alakuko/Oshodi-Toll Gate axis in Lagos State.
“We don’t want agbero anymore,” the protesting drivers and conductors lamented.
Their protest was sparked by a recent increase in the taxes levied on them by the agberos.
The drivers said they are usually made to pay tax of N2,000 per day but it has now been increased to N2,500 daily.
The protesters carried placards expressing their displeasure.
One of the placard reads: “We survive LASTMA, task force, agbero, & bad road every day.”
“Enough of agbero intimidation,” Another placard reads.
The drivers lamented that whenever they refuse to pay the exorbitant levies, the agberos proceed to destroy their vehicles.
They said they end up paying levies with all their gains and go home with next to nothing at the end of the day.
They called for a meeting with the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and MC Oluomo, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Works for Lagos State Council.
