POLICE AND STREET BOYS ARGUE OVER TOLL COLLECTION

For the past twelve weeks, since the Crossed Bar at Okoya bridge, to stop long vehicles especially "trailers" and "containers" to ply the road had been removed. The story hasn't been the same for a lot of people. 

Residents has continued to weep over the regular plying of the road by the these heavy weight vehicles. Not only that, the continue fear of crossing the road and the noise, all added together troubles people. 

However, for other people, it is an opportunity to tap into the whole process, especially when joblessness is on the rise. Different section of boys belonging to different gang group, has converted themselves into toll gate including the police.

In every three or four bus stop in Ojo Road, there is every likelihood that these jobless youths (and the police) will group themselves, between 5 to 10 boys depending on the resolved strategy to stop any long vehicle to collect levy.  

In most occasions, in the very hour of 6am to possibly 12 midnight, the boys hangs around to watch whether Long Vehicles are plying. They are always vigilant to whisper each other in their own language (without arm) to come for the levy. 

For them, staying idle and not doing nothing while this opportunity walks in front of them. They must be able to collect a token from the drivers to keep themselves going. But recently, something happened which nearly led to fracas  between the  police and the boys. 

At Ezeagu bus stop via the the street, the boys collecting the toll, were interrupted by two Layeni police men holding guns, who all the way from the police station, ply in bike to stop any of the street boys, from collecting even a token from the long vehicles. 

The same interruption also took place at three bus stop ahead, before reaching the removed Crossed Bar. This happening was on Tuesday 9/4/2019 around 1:45pm. They boys were not happy. They were very furious and bitterly expressed their anger. 

In fact, they refused to allow some of the Trailers and Container Drivers to move, if they are had not been settled. But the police because they are holding guns, have their own way. However, for a lot of the boys especially at Ezeagu bus stop. 

They stood their ground that the trailers will not live. One of them said. "Na una (de police)  dey send us to collect moni. Now, una wan put us fo corner". The police officers who have build a string with these boys, decided to tip them in order to allow the trailer and container to go. 

Already the police men at the Layeni Police Station down the road, has collected their own share. Therefore, in protecting the Long Vehicles from any obstacle especially from the boys, knowing fully well such will arise. They have to serve as convoy to the trailers. 

This should have been a huge fracas at Okoya, if not a military officer intervene to give a strong warning to the boys despite he doesn't have a knowledge of what transpired. However, his intervention was base on the boys challenging the police officers while they the police are holding guns. 

Besides, more of this are expected to unravel, as the government on its own continue to fail to do the needful. The collapsed of social welfare and joblessness is another fundamental challenge that must be address in the community. If not, the worst might possibly erupt.

By
Davy Fidel
LIFEINSLUM 

12/4/2019.