Follow Us on Google
By Steve Agbota
The Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) has decried the endless extortion and harassment of truckers by non-state and state actors in Lagos State.
The truck union, in an open letter to Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, lamented that for too long, truckers operating in Lagos have been subjected to relentless extortion by hoodlums and certain state actors.
The open letter, dated December 31, 2025, and signed by COMTUA President, Adeyinka Aroyewun, said: “I write to you on behalf of COMTUA and countless truckers and transport operators who have suffered untold harassment, intimidation, and extortion within Lagos State under your administration. It is with profound disappointment that we observe a glaring failure in your constitutional duty to protect law and order, particularly the welfare and security of the men and women who keep Lagos—and indeed Nigeria’s economy—moving,” he said.
According to him, these attacks on truckers are not random or incidental; rather, they are allowed to fester with impunity, seemingly under your watch. He said there appears to be a catastrophic lack of political will to halt these abuses, which include not only financial exploitation but also physical assaults, vandalism of vehicles, and even loss of lives.
“Despite the numerous petitions and official complaints directed to your office, those of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Transportation, the situation has only worsened or stagnated, in alarming disregard for the rule of law and public safety. This neglect amounts to a tacit endorsement of the criminal elements and corrupt practices that plague the trucking community.
“Concrete examples of this alarming scenario include, but are not limited to, Eleko Junction in Ibeju-Lekki, where gangs of thugs openly extort between N5,000 and N10,000 from truck drivers during daylight hours without fear of reprisal.
“In Amuwo-Odofin, a faction led by one state actor allegedly collects a road maintenance fee of N2,000 per truck for every trip—a fee that is neither regulated nor sanctioned by the state.
“Members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) unlawfully extract N3,000 per truck per trip from non-members, further compounding the financial burden on hardworking drivers. The so-called LASTCOC committee, established by your administration through the Ministry of Transportation, seems complicit in instituting illegal tickets and a regime of double taxation that oppresses truckers instead of facilitating transport and commerce,” he explained.
Other News
However, he said these incidents are not isolated; they are symptoms of a systemic failure in governance and protection.
Historically, he added, Lagos State governors have stood as champions of law, order, and fairness.
“Yet, your administration’s seeming acquiescence to these injustices marks a regrettable departure from this tradition—earning you, in the eyes of many, the unenviable status of a governor who has compromised the welfare and rights of truckers.
“Your leadership position entrusts you with the responsibility to protect all residents and workers in Lagos State, ensuring that unlawful extortion and violence are decisively stamped out. It is unacceptable for any group of law-abiding citizens, especially those whose labour fuels the state’s economy, to be subjected to violent exploitation with a deaf ear from the government.
“We implore you, Governor Sanwo-Olu, to launch an immediate and transparent investigation into all allegations of extortion, intimidation, and unlawful fees collected by various groups within the transport sector. Take concrete actions to dismantle gangs and hold state actors accountable where they are implicated in such abuses,” he said.
He pleaded with Sanwo-Olu to review and regulate all fees and levies imposed on truckers to eliminate double taxation and illegal charges, and also to engage meaningfully with representatives of truckers, transport unions, and civil society to restore trust and stability in Lagos’s transport system.
“Failure to address these pressing issues will not only continue to erode public confidence in your administration and deepen the challenges facing Lagos State’s crucial transport sector, but may lead to violent reprisal by truckers.
“We remain hopeful that your government will rise to the occasion, taking decisive steps to protect truckers and uphold the rule of law without further delay,” he advised.
