Mini bus drivers are currently protesting at Uselu market junction, Egor local government area of Edo State, over what they described as excess extortion by PUYOV Task force.
The drivers are carrying various placards which expresses their frustration with the situation. One of the placards reads: “we want equal right on the high ways, stop tasking us too much.” “Obasiki why allowing criminals to be stealing our money under false pretence.”
One of the drivers that spoke to JOURNALIST101 said they’re tired of the outrageous fees and methodological extortion by the agents of the state government.
The driver who gave his name as Captain Emmanuel, lamented that despite their daily payment to the State government, they come with a plot to extort them the more to the tune of 30,000 and beyond.
“Every now and then, each mini bus you see on this Benin expressway pay revenue to the State Government. As if that’s not enough, they will put tyre and at the end of the day, they say you have contravened the law and use the word ‘unauthorised place of parking’ and take you to Rukpota hall. When you get to this hall, the judge there will judge in their favour and at the end of the day, you will pay N30,000- N40,0000 and most of us are driving the bus on hire purchase.
“Just as you are making your way out of the hall, ‘Obaseki Police’ will still carry you and you will be forced to pay N25,000 in a single day.
What have we done?” he lamented.
He accused the wives of politicians as the beneficiaries of this extortion and called on the state government to provide parks for them.
The drivers have grounded vehicular activities in the area and have insisted they’re not leaving the road until the government addresses them.