BADAGRY, Lagos – In a bold move to reclaim their community's economic vitality and the dignity of its people, the Hengo Badagry Youths Association (HBYA) has launched a decisive campaign against the proliferation of security checkpoints along the vital Badagry-Lagos and Owode-Apa expressways. The foremost pressure group for the Ogu people has declared the numerous roadblocks a source of immense frustration and economic paralysis.
The association, in a press release signed by its President, Mr. Felix Godonu, and dated Monday, October 27, 2025, revealed a staggering count of 39 checkpoints along the key routes. These are manned by a multitude of agencies including various units of the Police, Customs, Immigration, the Army, Quarantine, and Port Health services. Hengo Badagry asserts that what are framed as security measures have devolved into a systemic campaign of "harassment, extortion, and intimidation" against residents and road users.
Outlining the core objectives of the "#FreeBadagryRoad" campaign, the Hengo Badagry Youths Association aims to raise public awareness about the severe negative impact these multiple checkpoints have on the local economy and the daily lives of commuters.
The group is advocating for the immediate dismantling of all checkpoints it deems illegal. Crucially, the association clarified its position, stating it is not against legitimate security checks, specifically naming the federally approved Gbaji and Agbara checkpoints, but insists that security can be maintained without subjecting citizens to unnecessary hardship.
"We are tired of the harassment, extortion, and intimidation of our people," the statement read, capturing the growing sentiment of exasperation in the region. The Hengo Badagry Youths Association is now calling on the government to take immediate action to sanitize the expressways and ensure the rights of road users are protected.
Beyond government appeal, the group is mobilizing grassroots support, urging all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly residents of Badagry and its environs, to join the campaign to ensure the roads are safe, secure, and free from oppressive delays.
The launch of this campaign highlights a critical junction for the historic border town of Badagry, whose economic potential and social mobility have been persistently hampered by the very infrastructure meant to protect it. The success of this youth-led initiative could signal a new chapter for the community and set a precedent for citizen advocacy against bureaucratic and security excesses across Nigeria.