THE MENACE OF MOTOR PARK TOUTS (AGBEROS/ALAYEES) IN LAGOS: A CALL FOR REFORM

 A typical Lagos Motor Park 

In Lagos, motor park touts, commonly known as Agberos or Alayees, are predominantly men—and occasionally women—who have taken it upon themselves to act as informal managers of motor parks. Some operate under the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), while others are affiliated with the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). The Agberos linked to the NURTW generally represent the lower tier of touts, whereas those associated with RTEAN occupy senior positions. Beyond these two groups, there exists a third category of touts who are unaffiliated with any union. These operate mainly at night, do not issue receipts for the levies they collect, and are notorious for their aggressive enforcement tactics. Motorists who resist their demands often face severe consequences.

For years, the activities of these touts have been a source of distress for commercial drivers, motorists, and private vehicle owners in Lagos. Instead of confining their operations to motor parks, many position themselves along minor and major roads—especially at notorious spots—to extort money from drivers. Their primary targets are commercial vehicles such as buses, taxis, trucks, motorcycles, and tricycles. The levies they collect go by various names, including “Ticket Money,” “Owo Olopa” (security money), “Owo Ile” (money for picking passengers at designated spots), hackney permits, and rider permits for motorcycle operators. Although some collections are accompanied by receipts, a significant portion of the funds never reaches the appropriate authorities. Instead, the bulk is siphoned off by those at the top, after the collectors take their share.

The methods used by these out-of-park touts are particularly troubling. They often force vehicles to stop and pay levies. If a driver refuses, the touts may pursue the vehicle, vandalize it by smashing windshields or removing parts like chrome and window frames, and physically assault motorcycle or tricycle operators. This aggressive enforcement creates a climate of fear and insecurity on Lagos roads.

A personal account from February 2024 illustrates this menace vividly. While traveling from Oshodi to Abeokuta, a commercial bus broke down at Kollington Bus Stop on the Lagos/Abeokuta expressway around 7:30 pm. Almost immediately, a group of touts appeared and demanded a bribe of Five Thousand Naira from the driver before allowing repairs to proceed. When the driver refused, a violent confrontation ensued. Passengers fled for safety, leaving the driver and conductor to face the attackers. The bus was vandalized, and both men sustained injuries and lost money to the touts.

Interviews with commercial drivers reveal the heavy toll these illegal levies take on their livelihoods. Many estimate that these extortions account for over half the cost of transportation in Lagos. They argue that removing the Agberos from the streets would significantly reduce transport fares, easing the financial burden on commuters.

This situation calls for urgent government intervention. The Lagos State government must take decisive steps to regulate and sanitize the operations of the Road Transport Workers Union and the NURTW. Establishing clear, lawful modes of operation is essential to ending the indecency and lawlessness that have become synonymous with Lagos roads. The time has come for Eko to truly shine—free from the shadow of Agberos. Eko Oni Baje!