Hoodlums Defy NPA, Shippers Council, Lagos Govt, Launch Bloody Attack On Driver At Mile-2

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By Dapo Olawuni

In a blatant defiance of government directives, hoodlums on Friday launched a violent attack on a truck driver in the Mile-2 area of Lagos.
The driver was reportedly assaulted after resisting extortion attempts near Maza Maza First Gate along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

The Secretary of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Sanni Bala, confirmed the attack with a short video clip, stating, “This truck driver was attacked by RTEAN hoodlums for resisting extortion.”

He further decried the persistence of illegal toll collection despite repeated warnings from both federal and state authorities.

Earlier, the Lagos State Government, along with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Shippers Council, had issued clear orders against illegal toll collection. The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, had promised to clamp down on miscreants operating along the Tincan-Apapa Corridor, assuring truck drivers that operations could continue unhindered.

In response to concerns raised by AMATO regarding the continued harassment, extortion, and vandalism of trucks, Hon. Giwa had reassured truckers of swift action. “The relevant authorities will commence raids immediately to rid the port corridors of miscreants and unauthorized personnel posing as traffic and security agents,” he said. He condemned the acts of extortion as economic sabotage, adding, “Under the 2018 State Transport Sector Reforms Law, the collection of tolls on Lagos roads is strictly prohibited.”

Giwa also reiterated that no union, including RTEAN or the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), is authorized to levy tolls on truckers operating along the corridor. He commended truckers for forming a unified front to address the issues, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between unions and truck operators.

“The State Government, alongside the NPA and other relevant agencies, will provide necessary resources to ensure smooth operations for truckers. Truckers should utilize the whistleblower app to report illegal activities, allowing real-time evidence collection by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA),” he urged.

DCP Tijani Fatai, representing the Commissioner of Police, pledged the full support of the Nigerian Police Force, encouraging truckers to report any incidents. “We are committed to addressing the challenges faced by truck drivers in the state,” Fatai said.

At a meeting held at the NPA Annex Office in Marina, key stakeholders, including representatives from the Nigerian Ports Authority, LASTMA, and the Department of State Security, agreed on measures to abolish illegal toll collections from truckers and ensure the enforcement of these directives.

Among those present were Chief Remi Ogungbemi, Chairman of AMATO; Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle, Chairman of NURTW; and Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Raji, Chairman of RTEAN. The meeting concluded with truckers agreeing to suspend a planned strike, hopeful that the new measures would curb the persistent issues.

Despite these assurances, the attack at Mile-2 has cast doubt on the effectiveness of the promised clampdown, as truck drivers continue to face threats from rogue elements defying government orders.

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