Commercial minibus drivers operating primarily in the Mowe-Ibafo-Arepo areas of Ogun State took to the expressway on Monday, protesting multiple levies imposed by transport union workers, known as Agberos.
The drivers decried the arbitrary daily charges, which reportedly surged from N4,000 to N6,000 amid economic hardship.
They pointed to rising fuel prices and skyrocketing vehicle maintenance costs as factors squeezing their strained incomes.
Speaking with the PUNCH, one of the protesting drivers, Moses Ademoyegun, lamented the unbearable extortion, stating that the recent levy hike forced him into protest. Ademoyegun revealed that the financial burden had become so severe that his children were now out of school.
What we are experiencing from the Agberos has become unbearable, he said. Today, we woke up to the news that the ticket fee has increased. Bus stops where we used to pay N100 now charge N200, and others have risen from N500 to N700. I spend no less than N100,000 on fuel every week, yet passengers are reluctant to pay enough to cover the cost.
Another driver, Joseph, echoed similar frustrations, urging the Ogun State government to intervene.
We are appealing to Governor Abiodun to stop this extortion. If you don’t pay, they are ready to damage your vehicle, he said.
Recall that Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) recently announced a new pump price in its retail outlets nationwide. Selling at N950.22 in Lagos, Ogun, N960.22 in Oyo, N980.22 in Rivers, N1,019 in Borno and N999.22 in Sokoto, Kaduna and Kano.
The increase in fuel prices after the removal of subsidy is one of the causes of hardship Nigerians have faced in recent times. The increase in such levied for the drivers adds more to the hardship and indirectly for the residents of this area.
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