Breaking: Protest erupts on Epe-Ijebu-Ode Expressway over new tollgate charges

DDM News

A major protest broke out on Saturday morning along the Ijebu-Ode–Mojoda–Epe Expressway, as outraged residents and commuters rallied against the recent hike in tollgate charges imposed by the Ogun State Government.

The demonstration, which began early in the day, saw a large number of aggrieved individuals block sections of the expressway with used tires, tree branches, and wooden planks.

The protest extended from the Fari axis of the highway and stretched toward Mojoda, a critical transit point leading into Epe in Lagos State.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) learned that the angry demonstrators chanted solidarity songs while holding placards bearing various inscriptions condemning the state’s decision.

The protest resulted in a total halt of vehicular movement, leaving hundreds of passengers and commercial drivers stranded along the ever-busy dual carriageway.

Eyewitnesses said the protest was spontaneous, driven by frustration over what many described as exploitative tollgate charges.

A trailer driver who spoke during the protest decried the economic strain the new charges were placing on haulage operators.

“I paid N3,000 just this morning.

“How much are we earning that they want to collect everything from us?” the driver lamented, visibly frustrated by the situation.

Another commercial transport operator, Mr. Odinaka, who had planned to travel that morning, said he chose to join the protest in solidarity.

According to him, the continuous financial extortion of struggling Nigerians by the government must be stopped.

“They must end this habit of embezzling money from poor citizens who are merely trying to survive,” he said.

The Ijebu-Ode–Mojoda–Epe road is a strategic link between Ogun and Lagos States Nigeria and serves as a major route for both commercial and private transportation between the two regions.

Over the years, the route has experienced heavy traffic flow due to its convenience and relative speed, especially for transporters avoiding congested city roads.

The Ogun State Government had recently announced a review of tollgate fees along its major highways, citing the need to fund road maintenance and infrastructure projects.

However, the sudden and sharp increase in the levies has triggered widespread criticism, particularly from transporters and residents in affected areas.

Many road users have argued that the hike in toll fees is unjustifiable given the prevailing economic hardship across the country.

Nigeria is currently grappling with rising inflation, high fuel costs, and widespread unemployment, all of which have contributed to heightened public discontent.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had arrived at the protest site to prevent escalation, while commuters continued to wait patiently for the road to reopen.

Further updates are expected as the situation develops.

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