Commuters travelling along the Iyana-Ipaja/Iyana-Iba axis of Lagos have been stranded after commercial bus drivers operating on the route embarked on a strike over alleged extortion.

The drivers are protesting what they described as persistent demands for money by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), popularly known as agberos.

Some of the affected drivers said the alleged extortion had become increasingly frequent and was making commercial transport operations difficult and unprofitable.

They specifically accused LASTMA officials of frequently impounding their vehicles and keeping them for several hours, sometimes for an entire day.

The drivers said such actions resulted in loss of income for both vehicle owners and operators, adding that the situation had become unbearable.

They said the withdrawal of services was intended to draw attention to their grievances and compel the relevant authorities to address what they described as excessive extortion.

The strike has disrupted transportation along the affected routes, leaving many commuters stranded and forcing some to seek alternative means of transportation.

The development has also created an opportunity for commercial motorcycle operators, who have reportedly increased their activities as commuters seek alternatives to the unavailable buses.