Commercial drivers operating in the Mowe-Ibafo-Arepo areas of Ogun State took to the expressway on Monday to protest the multiple levies imposed on them by transport union workers, commonly known as Agberos.
Drivers claimed that they were subjected to arbitrary fees, which have caused them significant hardship.
The drivers, primarily minibus operators, lamented that the cumulative daily fees, which recently increased from N4,000 to N6,000, have exacerbated their financial hardships.
They stressed that the rise in fuel prices and the cost of vehicle spare parts had compounded the challenges they faced.
Explaining their ordeal, a driver, Moses Ademoyegun stated that the extortion from the Agberos has become unbearable, prompting their protest.
He added that the current economic situation has forced his children out of school due to the decline in his income as a driver.
“What we are experiencing from the Agberos has become unbearable. Today, we woke up to the news that the ticket fee has increased. Bus stops where we used to pay N100 have now increased to N200, and those where we paid N500 have gone up to N700.
“I spend no less than N100,000 on fuel every week, and passengers are also groaning and unwilling to pay enough to cover the cost of fuel. My children are at home because I cannot afford their school fees due to the decline in what I earn daily.”
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Ogun State has denied knowledge of any hike in levies paid by commercial drivers.
The Association’s Secretary in the state, Tiwalade Akingbade, said RTEAN has not authorised any upward review of the levies being charged commercial drivers across the 95 chapels of the association and over 250 units across the state.
Akingbade said, “If such an action has been taken by anybody, it is illegal. We shall investigate this and justice shall be done.”