By Ishaya Ibrahim
Lagos commercial bus drivers have begun a strike action to protest extortion by Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and another taskforce of the state government.
LASTMA was created to ease traffic on Lagos roads, but has become a revenue generating agency of the state government, with vehicle owners complaining that they are indiscriminately slammed with fines for trumped up traffic offences.
The protest by the bus drivers has caused commuters to be stranded at various bus stops and motor parks in the state.
According to a notice of the protest cited by our reporter, the strike will affect Iyana Ipaja, Egbeda, Agege, Abule-Egba and Agbado.
The notice said the protest was against LASTMA Zone 20 Headquarters, and warned all drivers to stay off the road.
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At many bus stops, our correspondent observed that commercial drivers are complying with the directive.
The drivers said they are embarking on the strike over extortion imposed on its members by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and the state’s Task Force.
At the Mangoro bus stop, hundreds of passengers are seen stranded, while some decided to trek.
Our correspondent monitoring the event reports that the state’s security officials are present at the scene of the protest.