Members of the Nigerian Union of Haulage Truck and Trailer Drivers held a peaceful protest at The PUNCH headquarters in Lagos, voicing their grievances over the alleged harassment, brutality, and extortion they face from various Lagos state traffic enforcement agencies. This movement was sparked by a recent incident where one driver was reportedly assaulted during an operation in Ikeja, leaving him severely injured and prompting calls for change from the authorities.

The protesters rallied with placards, drawing attention to the plight of truck drivers in Lagos and demanding immediate intervention from the state government. The injured member, Comrade Prince Ogunkanmi Adekunle, became a symbol of their struggle, with the union’s leadership condemning the actions of the Lagos State Task Force and other agencies for their perceived targeting of drivers in their operations. They expressed that the abuse has reached a critical level, where the drivers fear for their lives while going about their duties.

The protest highlights a significant issue within the traffic management system in Lagos, pointing to systemic problems in how enforcement agencies operate. With the truck drivers' livelihoods at stake, the union's leaders are calling for not only accountability for the brutal actions but also a re-evaluation of the policies that affect how traffic enforcement is conducted. This situation sheds light on broader issues of corruption and the need for reform in the way public officials interact with transport workers and manage road safety in the bustling metropolis of Lagos.