The Lagos State Government on Tuesday suspended the operations of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) due to protests against the tragic death of a female passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwole.
The police recovered Oluwabamise’s corpse around the Ebute Ero area of the state.
The 22-year-old was last seen on a BRT bus driven by one Andrew Nice, who fled after voice notes and a video clip of the victim recorded on the bus indicated that she was unsafe.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) later arrested Nice at his hideout in Ososa, Ogun State.
The driver was subsequently handed over to the police as he was paraded at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Monday.
Nice, during the parade, denied involvement in Oluwabamise’s death, saying his bus was hijacked by three gunmen who posed as passengers.
However, in a video clip that emerged on Monday night, the 47-year-old admitted to committing “dirty acts.”
The confession was said to have preceded his parade by the police.
“I am telling you the truth, she forced herself out of that bus; she was crying for help and everything was recorded. And because of the dirty acts I had done and how stupid I am, I am afraid,” he said in the clip posted on Twitter.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, said investigation into the case was ongoing.
The governor, who spoke during an event to commemorate the International Women’s Day at Onikan, cautioned those he said were twisting the story with unfounded insinuations.
He said, “I have read some narratives and write-ups on social media in the last few hours. Some people are deliberately and extremely being sensational, posting that the Lagos State Government wanted to cover something; even my person.
“These people trivialise life, which appears to me like they just want to score a cheap point. These people are of low minds and have no conscience.
“Our government will certainly not be deterred by such wicked narratives. What we are about is to ensure that we transparently get to the roots of the matter. That is why the police and the Department of State Services picked up the driver, who ran to another state, where he was arrested.
“The full wrath of the law will be applied on whoever is found wanting in this matter. And we will ensure the incident does not repeat itself.”
He also warned the public against boarding BRT buses after the close of bus services in the evening, saying vehicles that had closed for the day would indicate by switching off their inner lights.
In an apparent step to forestall attacks on BRT vehicles by residents protesting Oluwabamise’s death, the state government suspended the operations of the vehicles on Tuesday.
At terminals in Ikorodu, Mile 12, Ketu, Ojota, none of the branded buses was seen on the road.
It was gathered that commercial buses took advantage of the scarcity to jack up transport fares.
Some of the routes witnessed hikes to the tune of 40 per cent, while others went as high as 50 per cent.
It was learnt that heavily-armed security operatives were deployed in the Freedom Park, Ojota, to stop protesters from converging on the spot. – Punch.
