The Lagos state government announced Tuesday a sweeping operation to evict yellow “korope” minibuses from highway shoulders, aiming to curb chronic traffic snarls and enhance commuter safety across the bustling metropolis.
In a bid to reclaim vital road space, officials from the Lagos State Parks and Garages Management (LASPARK) and the Kick Against Indiscipline Brigade (KAI) mobilized teams early Tuesday to tow away illegally parked vehicles along key thoroughfares including the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and Ikorodu Road.
The initiative, which targets the iconic but often overloaded korope buses notorious for roadside pickups, comes amid mounting complaints from drivers and residents over gridlock exacerbated by haphazard parking.
“We are determined to restore order and fluidity to our highways,” declared Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, in a statement to reporters. “These vehicles have turned medians and shoulders into makeshift terminals, endangering lives and stalling economic activity. No more leniency—offenders will face immediate impoundment and fines.”
Odumosu emphasized that the crackdown forms part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s broader transport reform agenda, which includes deploying digital monitoring tools to track violations in real time. Over 50 buses were reportedly seized in the first hours of the operation, with owners summoned to retrieve them upon payment of penalties ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 naira ($30-$120).
Industry watchers hailed the move as overdue, noting that korope operators—many operating without valid permits—contribute to up to 30 percent of daily congestion in Nigeria’s commercial hub, according to a recent urban mobility study by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation.
But the action drew swift backlash from union leaders. Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo, president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NARTW), warned of potential disruptions if displaced drivers are not offered alternative routes or subsidies.
“This is not just about towing buses; it’s about livelihoods for thousands,” Akinsanya told ANN by phone. “We support traffic rules, but the government must consult us first. Without relocation plans, this could spark unrest on the streets.”
LASPARK spokesperson Oladotun Hassan countered that consultations had been ongoing since August, with designated parks like Ojota and Iyana-Ipaja earmarked for korope relocation. “Our goal is partnership, not punishment,” Hassan said. “Registered operators who comply will receive priority access to these facilities.”
The operation unfolds against a backdrop of escalating urban pressures in Lagos, home to over 20 million people and Africa’s largest container port. Last month alone, traffic delays cost the local economy an estimated 4 billion naira ($2.4 million) in lost productivity, per figures from the state’s traffic management authority.
Analysts predict the enforcement could reduce peak-hour delays by 15-20 percent if sustained, though enforcement challenges persist in a city where informal transport fills gaps left by underfunded public systems.
As tow trucks rumbled through the humid morning haze, one evicted driver, who declined to give his name, summed up the frustration: “Where do we go now? The highways are our office.”
The government has pledged follow-up raids and public awareness campaigns, with a hotline (08000-LAGOS-TRAFFIC) launched for reporting violations. No timeline was given for the operation’s conclusion, but officials signaled it would intensify through the holiday season.
