Commercial bus drivers in Lagos, under the aegis of the Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN) have vowed to go ahead with their planned seven-day sit-at-home protest, over continued extortion from touts.
The commercial bus drivers threatened to withdraw their service starting from Monday, October 31, 2022, over what they described as massive extortion of their members by urchins.
They have vowed to boycott services across the state over alleged multiple and excessive 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 Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
It was also learnt that truck drivers agreed to join in the protest. Some of the truck drivers alleged that they are the most extorted.
The drivers lamented that despite their dedication to their work, they had been subjected to indiscriminate extortion, and violent harassment by the management of state transport agencies, motor parks and garages and the Lagos State caretaker committee.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, when contacted, said the command had tightened its security network within and around the state to avoid any breakdown of law and order.
He stated that the command would deal decisively with anyone or groups of persons that may decide to take the law into their hands.
“It is the right of anyone or groups to protest, so long as it will be within the ambit of the law. Anyone arrested for trying to disturb the peace of the state would be dealt with.
“The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, has assured all Lagosians to go about their business without any fear. We are here to protect the lives and Property of those residing in the state,” he said.