Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) in Lagos State have raised alarm over ongoing harassment, extortion, and mistreatment allegedly carried out by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Lagos State Task Force, and their collaborators
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he drivers’ outcry follows a dramatic operation on the night of Saturday, 22nd February 2025, in the Ibeju Lekki area, where LASTMA officials, police officers, and alleged thugs reportedly clamped down on the drivers, forcefully removed them from their trucks, and towed the vehicles away.
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One of the drivers, narrating the ordeal, said, *”When we tried to explain that we were parked on a single lane due to safety instructions from our union, they refused to listen.
They started manhandling us, shot into the air, fired teargas directly at us, and arrested some of our colleagues.”*
The drivers also alleged that state officials allowed non-tanker drivers to move loaded petroleum trucks at night, a dangerous act that could easily lead to accidents and loss of lives.
Frustrated and fearful for their safety and livelihood, the drivers questioned why the Lagos State Government and its agencies continuously target petroleum tanker operators despite their compliance with tax payments, vehicle documentation, and other obligations.
They called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the PTD-NUPENG leadership to intervene and put an end to what they described as the “recurrent disruptive acts” by the state’s transport agencies.
The drivers further criticised the lack of infrastructure in the Ibeju Lekki area, pointing out the absence of alternative roads, trailer parks, and essential facilities.
They raised concerns about the state government’s failure to support businesses around the seaport, refinery, and depot, which depend heavily on tanker drivers for their operations.
“What extra road did they build? What trailer park did they provide? What facilities did they set up to make life easier for citizens and workers in this area?” one driver asked.
They also accused the state’s transport authorities of blocking a proposed 10,000-capacity truck park that the Aliko Group planned to build to support refinery operations.
Instead, the government allegedly introduced an E-Call up system, charging a questionable ₦12,500 per truck per loading — a fee the drivers believe will eventually rise to ₦50,000.
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“We cannot continue to be extorted like this,”* one driver said. *”We are not criminals — why will they attack us at midnight? What work is LASTMA doing at 2 a.m.?”
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
