Road users in Lower Shabelle and Bay regions accuse soldiers of illegal road levies

Public transporters in Lower Shabelle and Bay regions are accusing government troops of levying illegal taxes on them and passengers.

The transporters say they now have to resort to dangerous routes to avoid stoppages from the soldiers who demand payments from every public transport vehicle.

“We are asking the Prime Minister and defense minister to intervene in the situation. We cannot use the road from Agoi to Daafeed because government troops demand taxes and they even rape passengers,” one of the drivers told Goobjoog News.

The transporters say there is no clear directions regarding the levies calling on the government to come up with legal and standardized road levies to avoid exploitation from the soldiers.