The Commercial Motorcycle operators in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun state have alleged the council officials of extortion ranging from N7,000 to N15,000, under the guise of documentation and clearance, but there is no transparency or official receipt process.
Penpushing reports that in a statement made available by Special Assistant on Media and Publicity of Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Organisation (ROMO), Femi Akinlawon said the union ticket producer Moruf Akinwale expressed concern over the development, adding that the situation has led to ethnic tensions, with the Hausa-Fulani community alleging targeted oppression and tribal bias.
The Abeokuta South Ticket Monitoring Officer, equally alleged that one Nurudeen Olayinka Sanyaolu, through the reported approval of the local government, has deployed individuals who go about enforcing the collection of the questionable fee.
Penpushing further reports that the statement said he emphasized that the development is posing a threat to the goodwill of Governor Dapo Abiodun towards transport workers across the state.
“I am compelled to draw urgent attention to a troubling situation affecting motorcycle riders in Abeokuta South Local Government Area because the good life which our governor gave to the good people of the local area are now being disturbed by the local government chairman and his agency’, Akinwande was quoted saying
“Through the reported approval of the local government, an agent identified as Nurudeen Olayinka Sanyaolu, popularly known as Betterlife, has deployed individuals who go about enforcing the collection of a questionable fee ranging from ₦7,000 to ₦15,000 from riders’, he added.
“These fees are imposed under the guise of documentation and clearance, yet there is no transparency, standardization, or official receipt process to justify such high and variable amounts.
“More concerning is the ethnic tension this extortion has generated. The Hausa-Fulani (Aboki) community has raised strong objections, alleging targeted oppression and tribal bias. This recently culminated in a protest and strike action by Northern riders, who believe the government’s actions are favouring the Yoruba riders”, he added.
Penpushing also reports that he was quoted that the development is not just an issue of illegal levies, but one of social justice, unity, and governance accountability, worrying that if left unchecked, it could fuel deeper ethnic divisions and unrest in an already fragile economic environment.
“The local government is just extorting these people, under the guise of penalty for obstruction, no number plate and they charge fine so huge. It is the state government that is responsible for issuing plate number, what’s the business of local government that they are the ones arresting the riders for not having plate number. For the past six month, there is no plate number in Ogun state, so why the fine. This is affecting all the suburbs of Abeokuta because the local government is at the centre’.
Penpushing reports that, he however called on the Commissioner for Transport, Ogun State Government, the Abeokuta South Local Government leadership, and security agencies to Investigate the activities of Nurudeen Olayinka Sanyaolu and his agents.
Meanwhile, the protesters recalled that Northern riders operating in the state protested and embarked on strike action over alleged extortion, prompting intervention from union leaders and the Zone 2 Area Commander.
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