Commercial drivers at the Toyota Bus Stop in the Ladipo Spare Parts Market have accused Lagos State task force officials of harassment and extortion.
The drivers claim the officials have been targeting commercial vehicles, seizing them for alleged illegal parking and obstruction offences.
According to the drivers, the task force officials carry a set of keys that they use to unlock and drive away commercial vehicles, especially those whose drivers refuse to hand over their keys.
One driver, Emmanuel Okafor, said eight vehicles were seized on Tuesday, with the officials demanding 30,000 naira each to release two of the vehicles not yet taken to court.
The Chairman of the Drivers' Welfare Association, Ajao Estate, Frances Iheji, corroborated the drivers' accounts, stating that the task force's operations have created a toxic working environment. Iheji urged the state government to intervene and assist the commercial drivers.
In response, task force spokesperson Raheem Gbadeyanka said the operatives only impounded vehicles that violated traffic laws, and advised the aggrieved drivers to approach a mobile court to reclaim their vehicles if they believed they were innocent.
Regarding the allegations of extortion, Gbadeyanka said the task force would investigate further if the drivers could identify the specific officials involved.
