The persistent lawlessness perpetrated by commercial transport union enforcers, known as agberos, across the South-West has reached alarming levels. The recent violent clash between commercial motorcyclists and agberos in the Akute and Alagbole areas of Ogun State has once again highlighted the damaging effects of this unchecked extortion racket on the region’s economy and daily life. State governors in the South-West must take decisive action to eliminate the agbero menace and enforce traffic laws consistently.

For too long, agberos, backed by political interests and state governments, have inflicted untold suffering on residents and commuters. These touts impose illegal fees on commercial drivers, disrupt traffic flow, and create a climate of lawlessness across the six states, with Lagos being the worst affected. In Lagos alone, the daily extortion from commercial buses, tricycles, and motorbikes is estimated at N123 billion annually, according to the International Centre for Investigative Reporting.

The situation in Ogun State worsened recently when commercial motorcyclists protested a sharp increase in daily ticket fees from N700 to N1,400. The ensuing clash resulted in property damage and heightened tensions. Such incidents are not uncommon; across the region, agberos harass commercial drivers, assault conductors, and openly engage in drug abuse and extortion.

Governors and law enforcement agencies must act urgently to restore order. The unchecked operations of agberos have turned Lagos into a global example of poor traffic management, and this harmful template is spreading to neighboring states like Ogun. The proliferation of agberos in public spaces, combined with rising cultism and violent crime, is eroding the peace and safety of communities.

To resolve this, South-West governments should consider the following measures:

1. Eradicate Extortion and Lawlessness: State governments must outlaw the illicit activities of agberos. Transport unions should be regulated and prevented from using thugs to collect fees. Authorities must establish a tech-based revenue collection system for drivers, eliminating the need for physical cash collection by touts.
2. Strengthen Law Enforcement: Police and other law enforcement agencies must rigorously enforce traffic laws, remove illicit drug markets, and stop the use of public spaces for illegal activities.
3. Empower Citizens to Demand Change: Residents, commercial vehicle operators, and the private sector must mobilize to demand an end to the agbero stranglehold. Public protests, petitions, and collaborative efforts should be initiated to reclaim the region’s transportation systems from criminal control.

It is time for the South-West to move beyond this lawless system. Governors must take responsibility, address this growing problem, and create a safer, more efficient transportation environment for the benefit of all citizens.