Lagos Residents Erect Road Signs to Warn Motorists and Defeat Police Extortion

In a bold move to curb extortion by local police officers, residents of Lagos State have taken matters into their own hands by erecting their own road signs at various bus stops and strategic locations. These signs caution motorists to avoid driving through the state government-owned BRT bus lanes.

The initiative stems from the absence of official government signs indicating restricted areas, leaving motorists vulnerable to extortion by the police. A video published on Facebook by Objective TV highlights this issue, where a speaker from Super Bus Stop explained how police officers wait for drivers to enter the BRT lanes, only to arrest and extort them later.

One of the residents spoke out, stating that while the government has failed to provide proper signage, they have resorted to putting up their own "Do Not Enter" signs to warn drivers, especially those coming from the Abule-Egba area. The residents are encouraging others across Lagos to replicate the signs in their neighborhoods to create a citywide network of warnings, in the hope of deterring police extortion.

“This is our own hood, do not enter this BRT lane. Police officers are waiting ahead to extort you,” one speaker said. The initiative has been branded “CICH” (Citizens Intervention for Collective Humanity), as the residents believe they must act where the government has failed.

The action follows reports of police officers using creative tactics to trap motorists, including using mini-buses (locally called Korope) to lure drivers into the BRT lanes, only to circle them and extort large sums. At some locations, drivers have been charged as much as N300,000.

Residents are urging other Lagosians to take responsibility for their safety and prevent further exploitation by the police. Despite their efforts, there are concerns that the authorities may remove the signs, as they have done in the past, prompting a call for others to remain vigilant.

This grassroots initiative has drawn comparisons to recent controversies surrounding police misconduct in the city, including the widely publicized altercation involving human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and police officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Lagosians continue to face daily challenges as they navigate the city's traffic, but with this new movement, there is hope that citizens can take a stand against corruption and make their roads safer for everyone.