Transporters’ Wives Cry Out On IBR 92.5FM Over Multiple Levies, Seizures In Oyo State

In a heart-wrenching live broadcast that has sent ripples through the Oyo State political circle, the wives of commercial transporters have raised an alarm over what they described as the “systematic extortion” and harassment of their husbands by state revenue agents and local task forces.

Speaking on the popular radio program Gboromiro (The People’s Advocate) on IBR 92.5 FM, a caller, who identified herself as a wife of an Okada rider, broke down in tears while narrating how the state’s “One Ticket” policy has allegedly been discarded in favor of multiple, illegal levies that have pushed families to the brink of starvation.

The outcry comes barely two weeks after the Oyo State House of Assembly moved to curb multiple taxation and financial leakages within the transport sector, an intervention that many citizens now claim has failed to translate into relief on the streets.

The caller revealed a disturbing trend where motorcycles, tricycles (Maruwa), and Micra taxis are being seized by local agents despite having daily tickets. According to her, families are now forced to patronize predatory “loan apps” to borrow money to pay what she termed “ransoms” to get their vehicles back.

“We no longer have peace of mind. The little money they make is snatched away by ‘area boys’ on the road. We drink Garri in the afternoon just so we can afford Eba at night,” the caller lamented. “If they seize his bike, we have to go and borrow from loan apps just to pay those who took it. We are literally paying to work.”

The host of the program, Taiwo Edward, did not mince words as he slammed the state government for its apparent silence on the matter. He questioned the sincerity of the administration’s transport reforms, specifically the promised “single ticket” system that was intended to harmonize all daily levies for transporters.

“We thought the ‘one ticket’ policy would be proof that you truly love the people,” Edward fumed during the broadcast. “You promised that Okada, tricycles, and Micra taxis would only need one ticket daily. But are you deceiving us? People are struggling; they are crying because of this hardship.”

The veteran broadcaster pointedly challenged the Oyo State House of Assembly and the local government chairmen to explain why their “decisive measures” to stop illegal revenue collection have yielded no results.

The broadcast has triggered a flurry of reactions across Ibadan, especially as it coincides with the rollout of the ₦10,000 transport allowance for civil servants—a palliative that many transporters feel excludes them while they continue to be the primary targets of extortion.

Despite the Assembly’s recent resolution to streamline levies and eliminate “illegal operators masquerading as revenue agents,” the reality on the streets of Ibadan, Mapo, and Eleyele paints a different picture.

As at the time of this report, the Oyo State Government is yet to issue a formal response to the specific allegations raised on the Gboromiro program. However, the “Revolt of the Elders” and now the “Cry of the Wives” suggest a growing tide of discontent that could define the political landscape as the state approaches the 2027 transition window.