In a bold move against police extortion, residents of Lagos State have taken it upon themselves to erect road signs at key bus stops and junctions, warning motorists to avoid mistakenly entering the state-owned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes. The initiative aims to prevent drivers from falling victim to law enforcement officers who allegedly exploit the lack of official signage to extort unsuspecting motorists.
A video shared on Sahara Reporters’ official X handle captured some of the residents explaining their motivation. One of them, speaking at the Super Bus Stop near Abule-Egba, highlighted the plight of drivers who unknowingly use the BRT lane only to be ambushed by police officers lying in wait.
> “This is Super Bus Stop, as you are descending from Abule-Egba. There is a BRT lane here. This is a federal road, but the state has placed a BRT lane. If you mistakenly enter here, police officers are ahead waiting to extort you,” the speaker explained.
He further emphasized the importance of community action, calling on Lagosians to take responsibility for their own safety and welfare.
> “Because the government won’t do it, we will. We are putting up this ‘Do Not Enter’ sign to protect our people. We hope they won’t remove it; instead, they should make it even better. Right now, we’re using just flex and a wooden frame, but this is for the good of all.”
The campaign is spearheaded by a grassroots group identified as Citizens Intervention for Collective Humanity (CICH), which aims to empower citizens in the absence of proactive government intervention. The group’s efforts reflect growing frustration with the perceived failure of authorities to implement proper road safety measures, which, in turn, has created loopholes for corrupt practices.
Another resident recounted a common police tactic used to trap motorists:
> “Policemen use a korope (minibus) to drive through the BRT lane, making unsuspecting drivers follow them. Once they reach a certain point, the police pounce, encircling the vehicles and extorting money from them. At Pleasure Bus Stop, they demand as much as N300,000 from victims, despite the absence of any official warning signs.”
The residents lamented that in more developed societies, clear road signs prevent such confusion, and motorists adhere to them. However, in Lagos, the lack of proper government signage has created an avenue for exploitation.
> “My fear is that when we leave, the police officers will send their boys to remove the signs because that’s their usual practice. By 4:30 am, they’re already out, scouting for victims.”
A particularly distressing revelation was that officers from the nearby Ilepo Police Station allegedly participate in these schemes, sneaking out during night duty to target drivers.
In a passionate plea to motorists, one of the residents warned:
“At this juncture, I beg Nigerians, I beg Lagosians, and those coming from outside Lagos—do not enter the BRT lane. If you do, you will pay N150,000 to some hungry fellows.”
A Call for Wider Adoption
Encouraging others to replicate this initiative, the residents urged communities across Lagos to take similar actions to safeguard drivers and resist exploitation.
> “If the government has positioned itself as our opponent, we must look out for ourselves,” one of the organizers declared.
As the movement gains traction, many hope the government will acknowledge the necessity of clear road signs and take responsibility for properly regulating traffic, rather than allowing law enforcement officers to use confusion as a revenue stream.
Whether this citizen-led action will be embraced by authorities or be met with resistance remains to be seen. However, for now, Lagos residents are proving that when the government fails, the people will step in to protect themselves.
PIONEER NEWS 