The pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, may rise above N1,000/litre in filling stations as the cost of the commodity in some private depots has been increased to between N920 and N950/litre.
There is on the way with Dangote Refinery and Port Harcourt Refinery starting production in September 2024.
The implications of this rise in pump price is the spiral effects on the prices of commodities, transportation and logistics. People have started little protest in Abuja demanding the immediate dismissal of the group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mr Mele Kyari, over lingering fuel scarcity in the country.
What is your take on this? Let us know in the comment section to educate others.
SECRET NETWORK OF DISPATCH RIDERS TRANSPORTING HARD DRUGS, SACRIFICES FOR CUSTOMERS
By
Godfrey George
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In Lagos, dispatch riders have become unwitting participants in illicit trade, transporting weed, other hard drugs and strange consignments to customers.
Operating under the guise of legitimate deliveries, they navigate the city’s streets, sometimes, unaware of some of the illegal contents they carry. Aside from the odd parcels, this report majorly delves into the growing issue of drug smuggling through courier services, revealing the challenges of regulating this shadowy aspect of the delivery industry, GODFREY GEORGE writes
As the sun rises over the bustling streets of Lagos, the city stirs to life with the honking of cars and humming of motorcycles weaving through traffic like fish swimming in water.
On any given day, these riders are the lifeline of the fast-paced city, delivering distinctive packages that range from the mundane to the outright bizarre.
These seasoned dispatch riders, who know every shortcut and back alley in the city, usually have strapped on their head, protective helmets, and carry behind them a box-like container either made of plastic or metal, used to ferry meals and other goods to impatient customers.
Yet, beneath the surface of this everyday hustle lies a darker, more sinister operation—one that thrives in the shadows, hidden in plain sight.
The use of dispatch riders as couriers of illegal narcotics and other strange consignments has become an open secret in Nigeria’s underworld and the public.
These riders, once the unsung heroes during the COVID-19 lockdown for the vital role they played in keeping the economy afloat, are now the unsuspecting faces of a thriving drug trade and conveyors of strange packages.
The rise in the use of motorcycles for illicit drug delivery has transformed the streets of Nigerian cities into the veins of a vast, clandestine network, pulsating with the flow of weed, cocaine, and other hard drugs.
Oddly, these riders are not just delivering parcels; they are also carriers of deeply personal and often mystical items often wrapped in discreet packages.
As they weave through frenetic traffic, they transport sacrifices—items intended for spiritual rituals or appeasement, which are often a mix of traditional herbs, symbolic tokens, and sometimes, even live animals, entrusted to them by customers seeking to fulfil cultural or religious obligations.
The riders, adept at blending into the urban landscape, also become unwitting bearers of the city’s spiritual undercurrents.
For Ahmed Ibrahim, a seasoned dispatch rider, as he glanced at the delivery app on his phone on this very day, he knew this wouldn’t be a typical day. The first job of the morning took him to a small, dimly lit apartment in Surulere. As he knocked on the door, a woman in her mid-thirties answered, cradling a bundle wrapped in a colourful Ankara cloth.
“Please, handle it with care,” she said, her eyes wide with an emotion that Ahmed couldn’t quite place. She handed over the bundle, which was surprisingly heavy.
As he secured it to his bike, he couldn’t help but wonder what was inside the tightly wrapped parcel nestling inside his delivery container.
The address on the package led him to a high-end boutique in Victoria Island, where a well-dressed man quickly took the bundle, muttering something about a “sacred item” before disappearing into the store.
Next, Ahmed’s phone buzzed with a new request. This time, he found himself outside a gated mansion in Ikoyi. A stern-looking man in a crisp white kaftan handed him a small wooden box, its surface intricately carved with strange symbols.
“Take this directly to the marina. No detours,” the man ordered, his voice leaving no room for questions. The journey to the marina was tense, with Ahmed constantly checking his rearview mirror, half-expecting to be followed.
Upon arrival, a boatman took the box without a word, slipping it into the folds of his agbada before disappearing into the shadows.
By midday, the sun was blazing overhead, and Ahmed decided to take a break at a roadside buka. As he sipped on a bottle of cold Maltina, his phone buzzed again.
The pickup was from a small herbal shop in Yaba, where an elderly woman gave him a brown envelope smelling faintly of dried herbs and something metallic.
She gave him a toothless smile and said, “Take this to the church on Third Mainland Bridge. It’s for a deliverance service.”
As Ahmed zoomed across the bridge, the envelope tucked securely in his bag, he couldn’t help but think of all the strange items he had delivered over the years—live chickens, a jar of what he swore was blood, and once, even a mysterious letter with nothing but a single word written on it. Each delivery came with its own set of instructions, warnings, and sometimes, a generous tip if the job was particularly odd.
As the day drew to a close, Ahmed made his last delivery to a small shrine on the outskirts of the city. The priest, dressed in flowing white robes, took the package with a nod of gratitude, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity.
Ahmed rode back home, the city lights flickering to life around him.
For most, these deliveries would seem strange, even frightening. But for Ahmed and the other dispatch riders navigating the chaotic streets of Lagos, it was just another day on the job—a job where every package told a story and every delivery was a journey into the unknown.
Meanwhile, in a country where the war on drugs is fraught with challenges, drug dealers are constantly devising new ways to outsmart law enforcement.
The emergence of dispatch riders as drug couriers is a testament to the ingenuity and adaptability of these criminal networks.
The process is both simple and sophisticated, relying on the very infrastructure designed to bring convenience and efficiency to urban life.
The modus operandi is straightforward, our correspondent gathered: drugs are concealed in innocuous packages—food boxes, grocery bags, or even envelopes.
The rider, often unaware of the true contents, picks up the package from a drop-off point and delivers it to the buyer’s doorstep. For those in the know, a discreet text message or a quick phone call is all it takes to place an order.
The drugs are delivered under the guise of a regular transaction, with the rider none the wiser.
In June, 20222, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, disclosed that dispatch riders had become distributors of hard drugs and illicit substances, vowing to beam its searchlight on them.
The NDLEA Lagos State Commander, Alumona Callys, disclosed this while addressing journalists about its activities, in commemoration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 2022.
He said some dispatch riders provided pickup and delivery services for drug dealers in Lagos state, adding that from December 2021 to date, the command arrested 336 suspects out of which 56 were convicted.
Callys said 97 drug users were counselled and transferred from the Supply Reduction (Investigation Department) unit, and 57,330.573 kilograms of hard drugs were also seized within the period.
He stated that the command would not relent in its effort to restore sanity in the fight against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking through the arrest of dealers and users of narcotics and psychotropic substances no matter their social status.
Warning those still in the business, the NDLEA commander said, “Our message is, ‘Stop while there is an opportunity to.”
Uncovering the clandestine transaction
To uncover this clandestine trade, our correspondent devised an experiment involving the delivery of three seemingly innocent food packs to different locations: Magodo, Lekki Phase II, and Surulere—all sent from the island.
The first parcel contained powdered eggshells, carefully placed on a plate, wrapped, and labelled “fragile.”
The other two parcels contained fragrant powder and some salt, similarly wrapped and labelled as fragile.
Our correspondent’s plan was set in motion with the assistance of a young man named Joe (surname withheld), whom he had encountered in a Facebook comment section.
Joe, who boldly claimed he could deliver “anything” to anyone for the “right amount,” arranged to transport these packages to three of his associates.
Claiming to work for RBD Dispatch Limited, Joe instructed our correspondent to drop off the packages and the payment at a popular junction close by, insisting that the items would be delivered without issue and only cash payment was accepted.
When our correspondent insisted on transfer, the dispatch rider said he was no longer interested in the business.
“My Oga monitors my account and I want to do express for you, Oga. Make I dey go abi make I come carry am, because I dey that your area now,” he said, impatiently.
When asked if he was concerned about getting into trouble with his employers, Joe replied confidently, “Na the extra money I dey find. Just drop the stuff, leave am. I go pick am up before you leave.”
True to his word, Joe collected the parcels almost immediately after our correspondent left.
Before our correspondent could reach the nearby filling station, Joe’s phone number, 08108457***, went temporarily unreachable.
However, not long after the last delivery was made to Magodo, Joe reconnected, saying, “I have delivered all of them, Sir.”
He then disconnected the call abruptly. Despite repeated attempts to contact him again to offer a tip, Joe did not respond.
Our correspondent later confirmed with the recipients that all three packages arrived at their destinations, untampered and intact.
Fictitious dispatch company
When our correspondent searched for RBD Dispatch Limited on Google, there was no trace of it.
It only found a real estate firm based in the United Kingdom, named RBD Business Services Limited, and another, RBD Security and Man Power Services, located in the United States.
Checks on the Corporate Affairs Commission website also showed that the business or the name does not exist, which may mean that Joe, may be an independent rider without any registered business name and no tax records, amongst others.
Till the time this report was filed, Joe’s phone line remained unreachable and he did not respond to several text messages sent to his line.
A counter-terrorism expert, working discreetly with an international organisation in the United States, who refused to speak on the record to our correspondent, noted that the beauty of this kind of operation lay in its simplicity.
“Dispatch riders are omnipresent in Nigerian cities. Their constant movement and the sheer volume of deliveries make it nearly impossible for law enforcement to single out a suspect.
“Even if a rider is stopped for a routine check, the chances of uncovering the illicit cargo are slim. After all, who would suspect a neatly sealed food pack of hiding anything more than a piping hot meal?,” he queried.
The human factor
While some dispatch riders may be complicit in these operations, many are unwitting participants, lured into the trade by the promise of quick cash or coerced by threats.
For others, the harsh economic realities of life in Nigeria leave them with little choice but to turn a blind eye.
The average dispatch rider earns a modest income, often barely enough to cover living expenses.
The allure of an extra few filthy lucre for a no-questions-asked delivery can be tempting, especially in a country where jobs are scarce and poverty is widespread.
However, the risks are enormous. Riders who get caught with drugs in their possession face severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines.
Yet, the very nature of the trade means that riders are often the ones who bear the brunt of the law, while the masterminds behind the operation remain elusive.
A rider, who works for a leading logistics brand, Segun (surname withheld) confided in our correspondent that whenever he was done with his regular deliveries, he does ‘special deliveries’ for some ‘clients’ around Lekki, Magodo and Yaba.
Segun, who is a regular dispatch rider for this reporter, and has a friendly rapport, said most riders were into it.
“As long as you don’t tell me what I am delivering is illegal, it is not illegal. I won’t ask. They pay higher. You can deliver one package for as much as N20,000, and they always pay cash. Before making N20,000 in this business, you must have toiled for several days,” he added.
Recalling an incident that almost landed him in trouble, he said one of his ‘premium clients’ gave him a pack of food to deliver to the Island from Shangisha, Magodo in Lagos.
“I touched the park. It was steaming hot. I actually thought it was food but something was off. It was a small pack of food and the guy offered me N10,000 to have it delivered. For a meal he bought around the amount, I was shocked.
“Out of curiosity, I stopped at Iyana-Oworo and just opened the package and I saw several packed bags of cannabis soaked in a plate of stew and rice. I didn’t know whether to return it and face severe bashing or just deliver it like nothing happened,” he said.
Segun stated that he summoned the courage, called the owner of the parcel and said he was returning it.
“I managed to seal it and I dropped it with him. He promised to deal with me but I knew I had saved myself from the mess,” he said.
However, several months after the incident, Segun said he discovered he was among the very few who were missing out in this ‘new market’.
So, sometimes, he would engage in the act, praying and hoping he was not caught.
Role of technology
Our correspondent discovered that technology has played a significant role in facilitating this underground trade.
With the proliferation of mobile apps and digital platforms, ordering drugs has become as easy as ordering food.
Encrypted messaging apps allow buyers and sellers to communicate securely, while GPS tracking systems enable precise coordination of deliveries.
In many cases, the entire transaction is conducted anonymously, with neither party ever meeting face-to-face.
The rise of e-commerce in Nigeria has also provided a convenient cover for drug traffickers.
Online marketplaces, which allow vendors to sell a wide range of goods, have become fertile ground for illicit activities and strange deliveries.
The sheer volume of transactions makes monitoring difficult for authorities, and the anonymity provided by these platforms allows sellers and perpetrators to operate with relative impunity.
The Nigeria Police Force, already stretched thin by the demands of maintaining law and order in a country of over 200 million people, faces an uphill battle in combating this new wave of drug trafficking, experts say.
The covert nature of the trade, coupled with the widespread use of dispatch riders, makes it difficult to track and intercept drug shipments.
Moreover, corruption within the police force exacerbates the problem. Reports of officers turning a blind eye in exchange for bribes are not uncommon, allowing the drug trade to flourish.
Even when arrests are made, the focus is often on low-level players, such as the dispatch riders, rather than the kingpins who orchestrate the operation from the shadows.
Several arrests
Operatives of the National NDLEA in June 2021 launched fresh raids on online drug traffickers and couriers in the Federal Capital Territory, during which a young lady, her boyfriend and eight others were arrested and assorted drugs recovered from them.
The first suspect, 28-year-old Ese Patrick, who sold her illicit substances through her Instagram account, @Ese’sOvenSecret, was tracked and arrested with some pieces of brownies ordered online by NDLEA’s undercover agents, on May 21, 2021, and delivered by herself and her boyfriend in a Mercedes Benz car.
A follow-up operation at her residence led to the seizure of 400 grams of Arizona weed, which she uses in baking the brownies.
Further investigation led to the arrest of one Iyama Patrick, with 450 grams of Arizona weed. He supplies Ese with the cannabis she uses.
A day earlier, a motorcycle belonging to a courier company, Sky Port was abandoned by a dispatch rider in Wuse Zone 4, upon sighting NDLEA’s outpost in the area.
The motorcycle was later found to contain several pinches of crack cocaine a.k.a Challie, and some envelopes of ‘Arizona’ meant for delivery.
Another online drug trafficker, Peter Nkejika was arrested on Monday, May 24, 2021, following an arrest of a dispatch rider with some quantity of Loud, a highly psychoactive variant of cannabis.
Each portion of Loud cost N30,000 (at that time) and the rider was caught with 17 portions for delivery.
Also on Tuesday May 25, 2021, NDLEA operatives intercepted two online drug transactions and arrested two dispatch riders with some quantities of cocaine and Loud neatly packaged for delivery recovered from them.
In all, five dispatch riders and a lady, Dolapo Benjamin, who owns motorcycles involved in the door-to-door distribution of drugs and drug-based edibles; cakes and brownies, were arrested while six dispatch motorcycles involved in door-to-door drug distribution were seized.
Also seized from them were assorted drugs; Cocaine, Crack /Challie, Molly/ Ecstasy, Skunk, Brownies and Loud, which is the most expensive psychoactive variant of cannabis in town.
Industry landscape
The Nigerian courier and dispatch riding industry is diverse and growing.
Estimates suggest there are over 200,000 registered courier companies, ranging from large, well-established firms to innovative startups.
Prominent players include Gokada, Max.ng, InDrive, Bolt, ChowDeck, and OPay, ADL Express amongst others, which have leveraged technology to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.
The rise of app-based dispatch services has revolutionised the industry, making it more accessible and efficient.
Inconsistent regulation
Regulation of the courier industry in Nigeria is multifaceted, involving several bodies and guidelines designed to ensure safety, efficiency, and legal compliance.
The National Association of Road Transport Owners provides oversight and guidelines for transportation operations, including courier services. It works to standardise practices and promote safety within the industry.
The Federal Road Safety Corps enforces traffic laws and safety regulations for all road users, including dispatch riders. It mandates the use of helmets, reflective jackets, and adherence to traffic rules to minimise accidents.
Also, the Nigerian Postal Service, known as a primary regulator, regulates postal and courier services, setting standards for operations and ensuring compliance with national regulations. This includes licensing requirements and operational guidelines.
Meanwhile, local regulations vary by state and city, with some urban areas imposing restrictions on commercial motorcycles.
Despite these regulations, enforcement can be inconsistent, and some companies operate without full compliance, which impacts the industry’s overall safety and reliability.
Lagos drug abuse cases
In 2022, the Chairman, NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), said Lagos recorded 33 per cent of drug abuse cases in the country.
He disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the palace of the Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu-Toyi 1, in Lagos.
According to him, in Lagos alone, there was a prevalence of 33 per cent, which he noted was the highest in the country.
“I think it is very important that drug abuse in Nigeria must be stopped by all stakeholders.
“I implore his Royal Majesty, Akran of Badagry, to set up a committee on war against drug abuse, comprising his chiefs, distinguished sons and daughters of the land,” he said.
Most riders unaware – Union boss
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, the President of the Association of Lagos State Courier Operators, Mr Anthony Akhagba, highlighted the challenges facing the courier industry, especially the transportation of illegal substances by dispatch riders.
He explained that while the association maintains strict regulations against carrying prohibited items like narcotics, cash, or weapons, the proliferation of independent riders has complicated enforcement.
“Even the regulatory body, NIPOST, encourages more independent riders to get their licenses and operate,” he said.
“A rider with just one bike can come on board and be registered, get a license, and operate. But this has made it difficult to track and regulate what’s happening on the streets.”
Akhagba noted that due to the economic downturn in Nigeria, many people have turned to dispatch services as a means of livelihood, further complicating the regulatory environment.
“A lot of people that cannot really be controlled have found their way into the business,” he lamented.
‘Customers to blame’
According to Akhagba, the responsibility often lies more with the customers, who involve dispatch riders unknowingly.
“Nobody in our association will knowingly get involved in carrying narcotics,” he defended.
“It is mostly customers that get these riders involved unknowingly. For instance, someone might claim to have a document to deliver but smuggle drugs through those documents.
The package in the hands of the rider may appear to be just a document, but it could be laced with hard drugs or cash without the rider’s knowledge.”
Regulatory loopholes
The ALSO president pointed out significant loopholes in the regulatory framework, particularly when it comes to intra-city dispatch.
He emphasised that while items meant for export undergo thorough scrutiny, intra-city deliveries are not rigorously checked.
“We usually request consent to check the package, but sometimes, the items being delivered are highly confidential. They can be documents or even edible stuff. We cannot begin to scrutinise things like that so that we don’t undervalue the integrity of our company,” Akhagba explained.
He also noted that many independent riders working with popular e-hailing apps often pick up single orders for delivery, making it difficult to monitor what they are transporting.
“If a package comes in an envelope and it’s being suspected, the dispatcher can choose not to take that package. But, if it is wrapped underneath a cloth or stuff like that, one would not know,” he said.
Lapse in regulation
Akhagba acknowledged that the problem is widespread, extending beyond the control of courier companies.
He called for greater government intervention to address the issue, particularly at the national level.
“The government needs to come in and see what they can do. Police cannot stop all dispatch riders from searching them.
“There is no control. The NDLEA would have to come in to cut off supply from the routes, not us trying to stop it from being circulated,” he added.
Regulatory integrity, corporate identity
Meanwhile, a security expert and founder of Chive GPS, Nnamdi Anekwe-Chife, emphasised that the integrity and corporate identity of dispatch companies play a crucial role in curbing the illegal transportation of narcotics.
“Most of these services are provided based on trust and corporate integrity,” he said.
Anekwe-Chife suggested that while physical monitoring of every delivery is impractical, regulatory bodies can impose fines and punitive measures to deter those involved in smuggling activities.
He also noted that international organisations already have stringent practices in place, such as unwrapping and resealing items with their seals before delivery.
Challenges of intra-city transport
A former Director of the Department of State Services, Mr Mike Ejiofor, highlighted the difficulties associated with monitoring intra-city deliveries, which are often less scrutinised than inter-city transport.
“If it is inter-city transport, it would be difficult because of the security agents, but intra-transport is very difficult to checkmate,” he explained.
Ejiofor argued against banning or harassing dispatch riders due to the actions of a few bad ones.
He said instead, dispatch companies should be called to “sanitise their houses” through independent investigations to identify and eliminate those involved in illegal activities.
He also recommended implementing new regulations that require dispatch companies to verify the contents of parcels before delivery.
“Before any parcel is carried, the content of the parcel must be seen,” he insisted.
NDLEA’s role in combating drug smuggling
The spokesperson for the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, outlined the agency’s efforts to tackle the issue through sensitisation, awareness campaigns, and enforcement actions.
“First is sensitisation and awareness, which the agency has embarked on through its war against drug abuse initiative,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of mobilising society to support the fight against drug trafficking.
Babafemi said the NDLEA’s strategy includes lectures and workshops in schools, faith-based centres, markets, and motor parks to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.
On the enforcement side, he said intelligence gathering, random stop-and-search operations, and raids, had led to the arrest of several dispatch riders involved in transporting narcotics.
He also highlighted the importance of “Know Your Customer” practices among logistics companies and dispatch riders.
“Don’t be too money-centred so that you don’t carry an illegal substance and run into one of our checkpoints on the way and get searched. Possession of illegal substances is a criminal offence, regardless of intent,” he warned.
Babafemi also highlighted the NDLEA’s collaboration with transport unions and the use of technology to monitor and address the issue effectively.
For the umpteenth time, the excesses of unruly street urchins, masquerading as tax collectors in Lagos, should get more than a passing interest of a serious administration. Their recurrent reign of terror on the streets of the foremost commercial capital and additional burden to the cost of public transportation eschew civility and deserves an overhaul. And if the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led government is serious about sustainable development in Lagos, it is time to take a long hard look at this monstrous illegal enterprise that has festered for too long. The menace is not restricted to urchins demanding rent forcefully from public transportation operators, but extends to harassment and forceful extortion of private motorists who are unfortunate to have a breakdown of their vehicles or even to need a change of tyre on public highways.
Clearly, the multiple dues routinely collected by transport unions, otherwise called agbero, partly accounts for the high cost of commuting in Lagos metropolis. The aberration of free monies informally going into private hands has for years been entrenched in Lagos, now across states, and fast getting out of control. Except in a few states where the extortionists have been proscribed, Lagos and others are seemingly helpless in curtailing the large scale racket by these non-state actors. Their excesses are more disturbing at this time of spike in the cost of petrol and attendant rise in cost of public transportation following official removal of fuel subsidy.
Stakeholders, including transporters and commuters have said that if the multiple dues – in excess of billions in Lagos – that are routinely harassed off motorists daily are reviewed, intra-city transport fare will drastically reduce, and private motoring will be safer, thereby reducing the burden on the residents, and enhancing additional economic prosperity. Reports have it that besides collections from the transport operators, the urchins also fix higher transport rates in garages, just to get higher cuts from drivers. To that effect, spikes of 100 to 200 per cent have been recorded in parts of the state, even before the recent jack up in pump prices of petrol.
A recent attempt by the Lagos State government to harmonise daily taxes and charges accruable to the authorities were immediately rebuffed by the Lagos National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), whose flamboyant ousted chairman, Musiliu Akinsanya, has subsequently emerged as the chairman of the state-owned, Lagos State Taxi Park and Garages. The unruly street collectors have frustrated efforts of the state (whatever it is worth), to remain self-styled and unanswerable to constituted authorities.
Similarly, the same group has become notorious for violence and bloodletting in a statewide aggression to earn unaccountable revenue from the streets. Last year, a street fight was recorded at Obalende between rival gangs, which left several people injured. In April same year, several persons were injured at Mile-2 and Ojo parts of the state when members of the union engaged commercial motorcycle operators in a gunfight over toll collection. It was the same internal battle for supremacy and gunfight that stole the show on January 8, 2019 at the Sky-power ground venue of Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s kick off of gubernatorial campaign. At least three persons died in the gun duel and many, including journalists, were injured in the free-for-all that sent even the then state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and All Progressives Congress’ (APC) bigwigs on their heels. But the scope of menace is wider. Earlier in March 2018, a serial killer and member of the NURTW, confessed to killing as many as 100 persons, with indicting allegations on top members of the union. None of those cases has been resolved to date, nor were culprits brought to book, thus setting an incentive to stage another ‘carnival’ of firearms.
With this track record in extortion and criminal enterprise, it is strange that successive state administrations since the days of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as governor have continued to indulge the rogue elements as if its members are above the law. The question to ask is: what is it about the leadership of agbero in Lagos State and the ruling party in the State? Why is this group so lawless and wielding more power and influence over the populace than the government in power? Why is the government so lethargic at enforcing its own environmental laws that prohibits touting, street trading and miscreants collecting tolls on the road? Who is in-charge of the streets – constituted authority or outlaws – and for what purposes? Why is there so much impunity and hypocrisy in Lagos mega city?
Whatever the current nuisance value may be, it is imperative for Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration and the political-class benefiting from thuggery to acknowledge that the commercial-nerve centre is sitting on a keg of gunpowder with this army of rogue elements everywhere. Indeed, the fifth largest African economy and its race to infrastructural and economic development risk losing it all in one fell swoop of irate hooliganism, as the hijack of 2020 #EndSARS’ protest showed. No matter how gigantic the Lagos Urban Transport Master Plan, Smart City, Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and innovations of the private sector among other projects get, they can soon come to naught in an atmosphere that shields and mass-produces drug-addicted street urchins.
On the flipside, a serious administration that is bent on sustainable development and committed to its larger responsibility of security and welfare to law abiding citizenry will not continue to indulge criminality under whatever guise. Indeed, Lagosians are hard pressed on all sides and economically stressed by the high cost of living. One of the sustainable palliatives needed in this crunch time of fuel subsidy removal is the comprehensive review of taxes and charges informally paid daily. The proper place to buckle down is in what agbero collects forcefully. By design, the road transport unions, being an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), is an independent Nigerian trade union that should serve interests of transport workers in the road transport sector, by pushing for social stability for members as defined in its constitution. Clearly, the body has been hijacked by power brokers and for the pleasure of a few. By their criminal acts and wild hooliganism in street toll collection from supposed members, the union has failed in its primary objective. It is not out of place for the NLC (as an umbrella body of the transport unions) and other well-meaning labour groups, to demand a reform that will bring sanity to the body nationwide. The leadership should push for an overhaul to weed out the bad eggs that are giving unionism a bad appellate in Lagos.
The state government should be bold to enforce the full weight of the law, forthwith put an end to daylight robbery of motorists and commuters that are dependent on public transports, or experience breakdown of their vehicles on the road; give parks and garages a modern touch and clean up Lagos metropolis in accordance with extant environment laws.
Credit: The Guardian
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The news of Subsidy Removal has thrown many entrepreneurs into some confusion of how to survive high cost of Delivery Charges vis a vis the subsidy removal and its effects on businesses. The following are suggested solutions to survive as entrepreneurs:
1. Efficient route planning: Entrepreneurs can minimize delivery costs by optimizing delivery routes and ensuring that delivery drivers take the shortest, most efficient routes. This helps to reduce fuel costs and, in the long run, saves time and money.
2. Negotiate better rates with carriers: Entrepreneurs may have the ability to negotiate better rates with shipping companies by negotiating smart contracts and other cost-saving incentives, such as pre-paying for bulk deliveries over a period of time.
3. Consider using a delivery partner: Businesses can save money by partnering with a Reliable local delivery companies that have existing delivery networks, allowing them to minimize the time and cost of setting up and managing their delivery infrastructure. ADL Express is a reliable Logistics company with wide coverage across Nigeria.
4. Optimize product packaging: Use smaller packaging for products where possible or optimize packaging to reduce the weight and volume of individual products, thereby reducing shipping costs.
5. Offer free local pickup services: Entrepreneurs can provide customers with the option to pick up their orders from a predetermined location instead of offering home delivery. This reduces transportation costs for the business. ADL Express offers Warehousing services and have multiple office locations for easy pick up of items by willing customers.
6. Avoid Express Delivery: As much as possible, this type of delivery must be avoided unless receiver is ready to bear the cost. Same Day/Next Day Delivery Service should be the best options if you’re to cut cost
7. Adopt Bulk Delivery Service: It’s very economical if entrepreneurs adopts bulk Delivery. You don’t have to deliver everyday. It could be Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays in a week, depending on your level of patronages. For instance, your delivery Partner will be happy to pick up 5-10 items than just one or two. It gives you bargaining power, thereby saving you a whole lot of money.
In conclusion, ADL Express is a Company to partner with for many reasons. They are very efficient and reliable, have friendly packages that are very affordable and economical for all businesses. Their e-commerce Flat Rate Delivery Package is just the best to adopt if you want to save money. They offer flat rate rates of N2k – N3k delivery charges to all locations in Lagos. Collaborate with us and let’s boost your business together.
Do you have any logistics questions or need any heads-up, get in touch with us at contact@adlostics.com.ng and don’t forget to follow us on all social media channels.
Venturing into any business without adequate knowledge could be resources wasting most times. Unstable prices as a result of Dollar exchange rates and inflation are equally some factors affecting price fluctuations vis a vis individual bargaining power.
Below are parts of a motorbike and their current prices:
Head lamp 5000 Pointer 1000 each Fender 5500 Clutch winker/lever 1500 Brake winker/lever 2500 Clutch cable 800-1000 Brake cable/pipe hardly spoils Speedometer cluster cable 6000 Throttle cable Break cable Ignition key/key switch 2000 Tank cover 3000 Dash board(speedometer cluster) Electronic controls(light switch and honk locator) Shock absorbers 11000 Head lamp bulb 600 Front tyre ordinary 7000 original 8500 Back tyre follow come 17000 Front rim 16000 Back rim 22000 Brake disk 17-23000 Starting coil 5500 Chain and sprocket 5000-5500 Front/Back Shoe Break 900 each Break fluid 500-600 small one Rear Brake Pedal/leg brake 3500-5000 Gear shifter/gear selector 1000 Foot rest/pegs follow 5k fake 3000(poor quality) Engine depends on bikes Engine Block 14 ordinary follow come 22000 Top cylinder follow come 25000 New 15000 Top cylinder cover Piston & rings 2500-3000 Crank shaft Choke CDI 5000 Starting Coil 5000 Cabrator 6000-7000 depending on make Fuel valve(on/off fuel attached to tank) 1500 Tank Seat 3000 Side stand/half stand Full stand/center stand Exhaust pipes Batteries 9000 Magneto 8000 Clutch Fibre complete set with clutch moon 4500(complete) Clutch moon 2500 Clutch Fibre 1500 Bushings 1500 Tyre Boris/bearing 500-700 Engine bearing 2500 Engine packing 500 Silencer parking 150 Sprocket Sprouts/shaft 3000 Sprocket sitting 3000 Tamper rubber 700 Chain Adjuster 500 Sprocket Bearing 600 Side mirror 4000
Irrespective of the factors mentioned above, there is still need to have a fair idea of the prices of the parts and even know the parts that make up a delivery bike. All Prices are estimated and varies from one location to the others.
Did I forget anyone or know any part seller with reasonable prices? Kindly let’s know them in the comment session.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has denied reports that it plans to block the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge on Wednesday. This is to allay the fears of business owners especially motorist and logistics operators and Dispatch Riders that are mostly dealing on express last mile deliveries within and around that axis.
Its Vice President of External Affairs, Babatunde Afis, said that no protests were planned for the day. This is coming two days after the student union blocked access to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, in a bid to get the federal government to meet the demands of striking university lecturers.
The lecturers have been on strike since 14 February, complaining over inadequate infrastructure in universities, funding gaps, and their own welfare. The implications is that students of both state and federal government-owned universities have been on strike and out of class for seven months.
There is urgent need for the FGN to reach a compromise on how to resolve this imbroglio for the strike to be called off so that students can be off the street and continue with their academic pursuit.
Download the ADL GO Mobile app now and enjoy freely!
ADLGO Mobile App is finally launched as the best way to make delivery. It provides professional delivery/logistics solutions to its teaming customers from the comfort of their homes, shipment points and offices, taking logistics burden off their shoulders by eliminating endless waiting time from pickup locations to delivery points. You can go to sleep with rest of mind once a request is made. ADL GO app makes the delivery magic happen with the nearest ADL dispatch ambassadors around the request area for immediate pickup.
ADL Go Mobile App
ADL GO app will not only allow you to track our dispatch ambassadors on his way to pick up your shipment, you can also ship multiple items to the same location and still know the status of each delivery.
ADL GO Mobile App offers the following:
Effortless Shipment process initiation from the comfort of your homes and offices.
2. Multiple items shipment opportunities to same location.
3. Multiple Payment options.
4. Peace of mind with the detail tracking solutions showing the progress of your shipment every step of the way.
5. Wallet Facility Features.
6. Seamless wallet funding.
7. Easy View of shipment transaction and status history of each delivery.
8. Get quick information on cost of shipment from one location to another
7. Retrievable access to last shipped addresses.
8. Nigeria Bill payment options for Airtime and Data Topup, Cable payments, Electricity bills payment, WAEC e-pin, betting from the comfort of your home etc.
9. Partnership/Enterprise options.
10. Secured enhancement facilities.
11. Update your delivery location or change your delivery date.
12. Get delivery alerts to know when your package will arrive.
13. Quickly check shipping rates – right on your smartphone.
14. Capacity to move anything legal no matter the sizes.
ADL Go is a must have Mobile for both logistics solutions and the convenience it offers to meet all daily needs when it comes to bills payment options. It’s friendly, fast and very unique. It’s available on both Google Play Store and iOS App store for download.
Kindly pen down your thoughts about ADL GO Mobile App after downloading it.
The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), yesterday, disclosed that dispatch riders had become distributors of hard drugs and illicit substances, vowing to beam its searchlight on them.
The NDLEA Lagos State Commander, Alumona Callys, made the disclosure while addressing journalists on its activities in the past six months, in commemoration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Callys said some dispatch riders provided pickup and delivery services for drug dealers in Lagos state.
He stated that the command would not relent in its effort to restore sanity in the fight against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, throughthe arrest of dealers and users of narcotics and psychotropic substances, no matter their social status.
He revealed that from December 2021 to date, the command arrested 336 suspects out of which 56 were convicted. He said 97 drug users were counselled and transferred from the Supply Reduction (Investigation Department) unit, and while 57,330.573 kilograms of hard drugs were also seized within the period.
Warning those still in the business, he said, “ our message is; “Stop while there is an opportunity to.
We will intensify our effort to rid Lagos of illicit drugs and save our children from the destruction that illicit substances cause, both to the Individual, family, community, economy, social life and security among others.
To achieve this, he appealed to governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to assist and strengthen the Agency with logistics that would enable it to carry out its duties, and“to partner with us to launch War Against Drug Abuse in the State to stem the dangerous tide of substance Abuse and Trafficking. The command appreciates the synergy between the security agencies in the state which has led to numerous seizures of illicit drugs”.
This development is worrisome because these few bad eggs are giving bad names to other decent ones that are doing their legitimate delivery services. It’s advised that packages should be properly examined to avoid falling victims.
Pen down your thoughts about this article and let’s reason together.
Delivery and Power Bikes Will Not Be Affected By Lagos State Motorcycle Total Ban – Police Commissioner
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Abiodun Alabi has allay the fear of many that the new total ‘okada’ ban order in 6 major local government areas by the state government will not affect delivery bikes, private power bikes as well as bikes with officers in uniform. He said this in an interview programme monitored on Channels Television this morning.
…as long as the delivery bikes are not carrying a passenger. “Delivery Bikes, Power Bikes will not be affected by total ban in Lagos”- Police Commissioner
Line up of ADL Express Delivery Bikes
Yesterday, Lagosians were thrown into confusion after the sudden announcement of the Lagos State government directing okada riders to exit 6 Local Government Areas of the state. The six local government areas include Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Apapa.
The directive takes effect immediately starting from June 1st.
The governor explained the reason behind the decision through hiss tweet handle. He explained that the reason behind this Okada impromptu announcement is that most riders are not adhering to the traffic laws which has led to preventable reoccurring accidents and loss of lives. He also stated that some criminally minded people are making use of this okada business to perpetrate their criminalities.
This sudden ban announcement could be in reference to a recent event in the Lekki area involving the gruesome murder of a man, identified as David by accused motorcycle riders. Similarly, a dispatch rider was caught in the Sangotedo area of Lagos with a baby in his courier box, in March of this year and many other atrocities being perpetrated using bikes.
What do you think about this ban in these 6 LGAs of Lagos? Kindly pen down your thoughts in the comment section.
Download the ADLGO Mobile app once it’s launched to enjoy seamless deliveries!
ADLGO Mobile App will be coming out soon as the best way to make delivery. It will provides professional delivery/logistics solutions to its teaming customers from the comfort of their homes, shipment points and offices, taking logistics burden off their shoulders by eliminating endless waiting time from pickup locations to delivery points. You can go to sleep with rest of mind once a request is made. ADLGO app will make the delivery magic happen with the nearest ADL dispatch ambassadors around the request area for immediate pickup. ADLGO app will not only allow you to track our dispatch ambassadors on his way to pick up your shipment, you can also ship multiple items to the same location and still know the status of each delivery.
ADL GO Mobile App will offer:
1. Effortless Shipment process initiation from the comfort of your homes and offices.
2. Multiple items shipment opportunities to same location.
3. Multiple Payment options.
4. Peace of mind with the detail tracking solutions showing the progress of your shipment every step of the way.
5. Wallet Facility Features.
6. Seamless wallet funding.
7. Easy View of shipment transaction and status history of each delivery.
8. Get quick information on cost of shipment from one location to another
9. Retrievable access to last shipped addresses.
10. Nigeria Bill payment options for Mobile Topup, Cable payments, etc.
ADL GO Bill Payment options
11. Partnership/Enterprise options.
12. Secured enhancement facilities.
13. Update your delivery location or change your delivery date.
14. Get delivery alerts to know when your package will arrive.
15. Quickly check shipping rates – right on your smartphone.
16. Capacity to move anything legal no matter the sizes.
Kindly pen down your thoughts about other delivery/logistics mobile App you have used before to see areas that might interest you.
