Lagos TikToker claims harassment while documenting BRT bus shortages and long queues at Ikorodu, exposing commuters’ daily struggles

A Lagos-based TikTok creator has claimed she was harassed while documenting severe bus shortages and long queues at the Ikorodu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) terminal, shedding light on the daily challenges faced by thousands of commuters.

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Known on TikTok as darkskinnedella (@ella_the_fashionistar), the videographer and editor said she faced verbal confrontations while recording footage of passengers waiting for buses along one of the state’s busiest corridors.

In videos posted between Monday and Wednesday, the creator highlighted how commuters often spend more than two hours waiting despite arriving early.

She explained that her own work requires her to start by 9 a.m., forcing her to leave home as early as 4 a.m. to navigate the delays.

The situation escalated when a staff member attempted to stop her from recording, reportedly holding her bag and threatening to seize her phone.

A separate incident involved a man allegedly confronting and threatening her over the videos.

The TikToker further claimed that many BRT buses had been chartered for an event, contributing to the shortages that morning.

She called for accountability, insisting the responsible parties be held responsible if anything happened to her.

The Lagos Bus Rapid Transit system is regulated by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), while daily operations are managed by private companies, primarily Primero Transport Services Limited.

LAMATA has requested a formal email regarding the incidents and has yet to respond publicly.

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Commuters along the Ikorodu corridor have historically faced long waiting times due to limited buses, despite measures such as a 25 per cent fare reduction implemented in 2023 to ease travel costs.