Residents of Lagos State have complained about the ongoing extortion of drivers by traffic officers working for Agidingbi Central Business District in Ikeja.
In a widely shared video published on Instagram on Wednesday by well-known blogger Tunde Ednut @Kingtundeednut, an unnamed driver accused the traffic officers of using the zebra crossing at the intersection to extort money from drivers.
He saw that the zebra crossing was only a short distance from the traffic light, making halting on the line inevitable amid heavy traffic.
“There are CBD traffic officers who for a long time have been taking an advantage of the zebra crossing at that Lateef Jakande Road, which is just before the filling station when you are coming towards Mega Chicken.
“The zebra crossing was placed too close to the traffic light such that when there are traffic congestions, it is often very difficult for a vehicle not to step their tyres on that zebra crossing.
“Normally, cars are not supposed to stop on zebra crossing, but when there is traffic congestion, the car in front of you suddenly stops due to the traffic light changing from green to red, so the car behind cannot just move out of that position because there is a vehicle at its back already.
“So, what these guys do is that they just move to you, open your door, enter your car, and lead you to the Point-of-Service agents around Fela shrine and the minimum you will cough out is N20,000.
“We know that CBD officials have the right to manage traffic and all that, but when traffic officials set out with the sole target of extortion, it becomes very worrisome,” the man stated while capturing the officials harassing motorists at the spot.