In a recent incident that occurred on the third mainland bridge in Lagos, a Nigerian man narrated how he was coerced into paying N60,000 by area boys after his four-day-old tyre unexpectedly failed.
The incident sheds light on the ongoing issue of intimidation and extortion faced by motorists in certain areas.
The man, identified as @ugodre on social media, shared his experience, describing how he viewed the demanded sum as a preferable alternative to physical violence or loss of his personal belongings.
He revealed that the area boys even provided assistance by removing the damaged tyre and replacing it with the spare.
Taking to Twitter, @ugodre expressed his shock at encountering the reality of fake tyres, which had previously been the subject of hearsay.
The cost of the tyre alone, priced at N60,000, added to his frustration, as he was compelled to pay an equal amount to the area boys to ensure they left him.
What made the situation even more surprising was that the area boys provided him with a UBA (United Bank for Africa) account to transfer the funds, showing their organized approach to extorting and exploiting people.
This incident exposes a trend where area boys not only engage in illegal activities but also possess bank accounts for transactions.
As the tweet continues to circulate, netizens online have also contributed and are sharing similar experiences that they have encountered in the hands of area boys.
