Commercial drivers in Lagos allege that they are being harassed and extorted by the task force.

Commercial drivers at the Toyota Bus Stop in the Ladipo Spare Parts Market in Lagos have raised concerns about alleged harassment and extortion by some Lagos State task force officials operating in the area.

The drivers claim that these officials specifically target them during what they describe as “illegal operations” in the area.

According to the drivers, task force officials possess a set of keys that they use to unlock commercial vehicles, particularly those whose drivers refuse to hand over their keys. They then reportedly drive the vehicles away, causing distress and financial burden to the drivers.

The aggrieved drivers recounted a recent incident where eight commercial cars were seized for alleged illegal parking and obstruction offenses, with demands for significant sums of money to release the impounded vehicles.

One of the affected drivers, Emmanuel Okafor, highlighted the distress caused by the actions of the task force officials, noting the lack of clarity and fairness in their operations.

The Chairman of the Drivers’ Welfare Association, Frances Iheji, also expressed concern over the toxic working environment created by the task force’s operations and called on the state government to intervene and support the drivers.

In response to the drivers’ allegations, the task force spokesperson, Raheem Gbadeyanka, defended the actions of the operatives, stating that vehicles were impounded due to traffic violations.

He urged the drivers to approach a mobile court if they believed their vehicles were unfairly seized and promised to investigate any allegations of extortion by task force officials.

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