Reports have surfaced regarding the imposition of a N100 levy on pedestrians carrying heavy luggage seeking access to the Yaba pedestrian bridge in Lagos. A viral video on Instagram shared by Guardian Nigeria depicted instances where individuals, believed to be thugs, obstructed the passage of two women carrying loads until they paid the demanded levy. Interestingly, pedestrians without any burdens faced no such obstacles.
The video prompted concerns on social media, with citizens urging the state government to intervene. While it remains uncertain if similar levies are imposed on other pedestrian bridges across Lagos, the state government's awareness and approval of such practices remain unclear.
Efforts to obtain comments from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's media adviser, Gboyega Akosile, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. Notably, security agencies have recently stepped up efforts to deter pedestrians from crossing highways and encourage the use of pedestrian bridges, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the bustling city.
