₦airaland Forum

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has responded to allegations of harassment involving a Lagos-based TikTok content creator, darkskinnedella, following a series of viral videos shared by the creator.

The creator, who documents her daily commute to Lagos Island on TikTok, drew attention this week to the prolonged waiting times faced by commuters, often exceeding two hours, and alleged harassment by transport staff when filming the congestion.

In response to an inquiry by PUNCH Online regarding the alleged harassment and bus shortages, Head of Corporate Communication at LAMATA, Kolawole Ojelabi, clarified that the incident “was not a confrontation per se.”

He explained that “in line with the privacy law, filming individuals without their consent within our transport infrastructure is discouraged.

“One of the ground staff of one of our Bus Operating Companies attempted to communicate this policy to the individual who was filming, but the message was unfortunately received with aggression.”

LAMATA also addressed concerns about alleged bus shortages along the Ikorodu corridor.

Ojelabi noted that each BRT route has a specific number of buses assigned daily.

“The reports of bus shortages currently trending have been noted. However, it is important to clarify that each route has a specific number of buses allocated to it.

“Once these buses are loaded and depart with passengers to their destinations, subsequent commuters may have to wait for the buses to return before boarding,” he said, clarifying that the delays reflected operational realities rather than a shortage.

The agency further denied claims that buses had been chartered for private events, which the TikToker suggested contributed to the morning congestion. “This is not true. Buses are not expected to be on charter,” Ojelabi said.

On measures to improve service, LAMATA stated it is collaborating with private operators to expand the fleet and ease commuter waiting times.

Darkskinnedella has been documenting her BRT commute since relocating to Lagos in late 2025, showing long queues, early departures from home, and delays both in the morning and evening.

She explained that she leaves home as early as 6:30 a.m. to reach the terminal by 7 a.m., yet still sometimes waits more than two hours before boarding. Many commuters rely on the BRT system for its dedicated lanes and lower fares compared to commercial buses.

The Lagos BRT system is regulated by LAMATA, which oversees policy, infrastructure, and system regulation, while daily operations are handled by private bus companies, including Primero Transport Services Limited.

Concerns over bus shortages on BRT routes are longstanding. Reports from PUNCH Metro dating back to 2020 documented similar complaints from commuters about long queues and insufficient buses, particularly along busy corridors such as Ikorodu.

Despite fare reductions and fleet expansion measures, demand continues to outpace supply, highlighting persistent operational challenges in meeting commuter needs.

Is this not the same BRT bus girl?

She mocked an innocent Hausa Bikeman in the Igbo language(HE’s smelling). She showed the face of the man and started catching cruise with it.💔

Imagine if the Hausa Bikeman understands the language? She’s a bully pic.twitter.com/u6WvHMHSna

— SALAWU||OMOIYAONIPAKO (@salawueedris1) March 11, 2026

jaxxy:
There is no privacy in a public spaces. in a private coy building or hotel etc yes privacy rules may be enforceed depending on the situation.

They have failed to address the unavailability of BRT buses at ikorodu terminals.

delpee:
It's not compulsory to travel by BRT. There are options like private road transport and boats from Ikorodu.

The content creator should note that she has no right to film people against their will even in public places.

This reminds me of the large number of new BRT buses burnt during End SARS. If LASG didn't replace them, it means there'll definitely be a shortage of buses.

chopnaira:
https://punchng.com/lamata-refutes-confrontation-with-tiktoker-cites-privacy-rules/

Wickedfact:
Try this nonsense in Dubai and you'll be jailed.

jaxxy:
yes u are right.

try it in America or UK and u will be given an award for creating awareness.

try it in Iran and they will hang u publicly like terrorist do.

jaxxy:
There is no privacy in a public spaces. in a private coy building or hotel etc yes privacy rules may be enforceed depending on the situation.

They have failed to address the unavailability of BRT buses at ikorodu terminals.

Is this not the same BRT bus girl?

She mocked an innocent Hausa Bikeman in the Igbo language(HE’s smelling). She showed the face of the man and started catching cruise with it.💔

Imagine if the Hausa Bikeman understands the language? She’s a bully pic.twitter.com/u6WvHMHSna

— SALAWU||OMOIYAONIPAKO (@salawueedris1) March 11, 2026

Goodvibes007:
In Nigeria, there are privacy laws in public spaces. Thats why some restaurant will bar their patrons from using recording video.

If you carry your babe to a restaurant and I start recording you and your babe, would you find that pleasant?

Melagros:
COMRADES, if I may ask, these LAMASA abi how una dey call am, then dey cause traffic delays in Lagos or not

jaxxy:
The video was for awareness and documentation and not harassment or malicious purposes.

Or is the grammar u posted difficult for you to understand?

The same BRT Girl will be recording people's faces on BRT everyone has complained for her to stop they don't want to end up on social media randomly she refused.

She took a Hausa bike man and started speaking Igbo that Hausa people smell and the bike man is smelling

Same girl pic.twitter.com/17WTvNJJl4

— THEGRANDMABOY (@TheGrandmaBoy) March 11, 2026

The same BRT Girl will be recording people's faces on BRT everyone has complained for her to stop they don't want to end up on social media randomly she refused.

She took a Hausa bike man and started speaking Igbo that Hausa people smell and the bike man is smelling

Same girl pic.twitter.com/17WTvNJJl4

— THEGRANDMABOY (@TheGrandmaBoy) March 11, 2026

ComeToJesus:
In Lagos, if you demand for excellence, they'll misconstrue it and label you as a rebel or an obidient. The fellows are so myopic, clannish and backward.

You must operate like a robot, accept all manners of BS, sing that hypocritical song - on Emilokan's mandate, you shall kpeme..

jaxxy:
She is recording a public queue of people who have been abandoned since 5am at the BRT bus terminal.

This was how she started between, shes has been doing it back to back and alot of people have called her to stop filming them or blur their faces whenever she films them, she didn’t listen. She even goes as far as filming people picking their nose and eating

Imagine you come… https://t.co/vS5ZYeZC0o pic.twitter.com/PfdjWdZ8ZV

— Dantala (@Docfrosh) March 11, 2026

ComeToJesus:
In Lagos, if you demand for excellence, they'll misconstrue it and label you as a rebel or an obidient. The fellows are so myopic, clannish and backward.

You must operate like a robot, accept all manners of BS, sing that hypocritical song - on Emilokan's mandate, you shall kpeme..

Goodvibes007:
She is from Enugu and just arrived lagos last year. Let her go and demand for excellence in Enugu where she is from. Abi Enugu no deserve excellence ni?

This was how she started between, shes has been doing it back to back and alot of people have called her to stop filming them or blur their faces whenever she films them, she didn’t listen. She even goes as far as filming people picking their nose and eating

Imagine you come… https://t.co/vS5ZYeZC0o pic.twitter.com/PfdjWdZ8ZV

— Dantala (@Docfrosh) March 11, 2026

jaxxy:
No u can't force her not to take the BRT. it is a public bus run with public funds.

Also she has every right to create awareness to the issues in society.

After being bounced out of the club, DJ Chicken was also sent out of a train for disturbing other passengers 🥴💔 pic.twitter.com/9mAw1Iw7dU

— Dami’ Adenuga (@DAMIADENUGA) November 23, 2024

chopnaira:
BRT operates through a hybrid model that heavily utilizes private sector investment and partnerships. It is not solely public. Majority of the bus operators are franchised.

jaxxy:
There is no privacy in a public spaces. in a private coy building or hotel etc yes privacy rules may be enforceed depending on the situation.

They have failed to address the unavailability of BRT buses at ikorodu terminals.

jaxxy:
The video was for awareness and documentation and not harassment or malicious purposes.

Or is the grammar u posted difficult for you to understand?

Benglarue:
Sometimes I wonder how we find ourselves in the midst of people who lacks comprehension like this JAXXY.

You can record in public but not capturing faces without a consent.

It is not done anywhere. Read Nigeria's Data Protection Act and learn.

Let her try that with someone like me, she will never repeat it.

What kind of gaslighting and disturbance of public peace is that?

Apart from BRT in Lagos, you have the yellow buses, luxurious buses, yellow cabs, Uber, Bolt, Indrive and she can also own a car.

Why the obsession with Lagos?

You were referred to the Act to read but no, you have understanding problem. Before you say anything, they are mentioning other countries even when they have never left the shores of Nigeria.

I trust Lagos State laws, she go hear am. Lagos has laws and not where non State actors control the citizens. Know this and know peace.

FutureFocus:
Government should stand up to its responsibilities

Allow other investors to share the BRT LANE to ease movement for decent people, it’s not everybody that want to board Danfo and argue with bus conductors

Nigeria is blessed with abundance Human Resources for any business to flourish, the huge population is an advantage yet you abusing it, it’s rude for you to tell a customer to go tell her father to buy bus or enter danfo when she has her money with you, it’s not nice

For years you are not able to sell electricity to your huge population and make money as a government, all you do is tax tax and tax

It’s somehow shameful

Please made amendments