Danfo driver arrested by LASTMA officer — A Lagos commercial bus driver has cried out in frustration after he was allegedly arrested by an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) for refusing to pay a ₦500 bribe.
The visibly distraught driver shared his ordeal in a video that has now gone viral across social media platforms, drawing widespread anger from Nigerians over alleged extortion by traffic enforcement officials.
Speaking to bystanders at the scene, The Driver said he was stopped by the LASTMA officer at a bus stop in Ojota, where he regularly loads passengers for the Oshodi route.
“He arrested me at the bus stop just because I refused to give him ₦500,” Driver lamented. “I didn’t do anything wrong. He has been collecting the money from me for a long time, but today I didn’t have it, so he arrested me.”
The driver, surrounded by sympathizers, said he was not picking passengers in a restricted area, nor did he break any traffic law. His only “offense,” according to him, was his inability to pay what he described as the “usual settlement” demanded by the officer.
Eyewitnesses at the scene confirmed Segun’s account, claiming that commercial drivers along the Ojota–Oshodi axis are routinely harassed by corrupt officials who demand daily payments in cash to avoid arbitrary arrests or vehicle impoundment.
“They call it ‘roger’ or ‘settlement.’ If you don’t pay, they’ll find one offense to hold you,” said one commercial driver who refused to give his name for fear of reprisal.
Videos recorded by onlookers showed the driver’s yellow commercial bus being blocked by the LASTMA patrol vehicle as a heated argument ensued. Passengers were forced to alight, causing temporary gridlock in the area.
The incident has reignited the conversation about bribery, extortion, and abuse of power among some LASTMA personnel in Lagos.
Human rights activists and transport unions have since called for a thorough investigation into the matter, demanding that the Lagos State Government address what they describe as “institutionalized extortion” within traffic enforcement agencies.
Reacting to the viral video, a spokesperson for LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, said the agency is aware of the incident and has launched an internal investigation to identify the officer involved.
“The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority does not condone any act of corruption or bribery,” Adebayo said. “We urge members of the public to come forward with credible evidence so we can ensure disciplinary action is taken.”
The spokesperson reiterated that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration maintains a zero-tolerance stance on extortion and warned drivers to report any misconduct via official channels rather than resorting to mob action or viral videos.
However, commuters and civil society groups have called for more than just disciplinary measures. They insist on a comprehensive reform of Lagos’ traffic enforcement system, which many say has become a major source of daily hardship for commercial drivers.
“It’s not just about punishing one officer,” said Comrade Akeem Lawal, a representative of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). “We need a system that ensures accountability, transparency, and dignity for both the officers and the drivers.”
The video has since sparked thousands of comments online, with hashtags like #EndExtortion, #LASTMA, and #JusticeForDanfoDriver trending on X (formerly Twitter).
Social commentators argue that incidents like Segun’s expose a deep-seated culture of impunity among law enforcement and regulatory agencies, especially in urban centers like Lagos.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
