The Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA), which represents owners of articulated trucks operating across Nigeria, has petitioned President Bola Tinubu over what it described as persistent extortion, harassment and violent attacks on truck drivers in Lagos State.
In a petition dated January 13, 2026, and signed by its President, Comrade Yinka Aroyewun, the union accused the Lagos State government of failing to protect truckers and other road users from organised groups of street urchins allegedly operating with impunity across major transport corridors.
COMTUA said the situation has worsened in recent months, leading to frequent vandalism of trucks, serious injuries to drivers and, in some cases, loss of lives. The union claimed that despite repeated petitions, complaints and peaceful protests, the state government has not taken meaningful steps to address the problem.
According to the petition, members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) allegedly force non-members to pay arbitrary levies under the guise of union dues. COMTUA also accused another group operating as the Lagos State Trucks and Cargo Committee (LASTCOC), said to have been set up by the Ministry of Transportation, of imposing what it described as a so-called “voluntary” ticket on every truck.
The union further alleged that in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, hoodlums operating in the name of a “council” extort truckers with a “Road Maintenance” ticket, while similar practices are reportedly taking place in other parts of the state.
“At Eleko Junction in Ibeju-Lekki, a combined group of LASTCOC and community youths allegedly extort ₦6,000 from each truck, while in Epe, RTEAN and community groups collect another ₦5,000 daily from every truck,” the petition stated.
COMTUA claimed that roadblocks are deliberately mounted along key routes to enforce these collections, while state task forces and relevant government agencies allegedly ignore the activities.
The union warned that if the situation is not urgently addressed, it could trigger a wider breakdown of security and public order, with serious implications for port operations, supply chains and the overall Lagos economy.
COMTUA urged President Tinubu to investigate the alleged role of the Lagos State government in the extortion and attacks, ensure accountability for those involved, restore protection for truckers, and properly regulate union-related levies to prevent exploitation.
While reaffirming its commitment to peaceful engagement and lawful dialogue, the union cautioned that continued inaction could push the situation toward chaos, posing risks to both economic stability and public safety in Lagos State.
