CITIZENS COMPASS—Some hoodlums, have reportedly attacked, robbed and unleashed terror on some innocent passengers of a high-capacity bus-based transit system, popularly known as Bus Rapid Transit, (BRT), in Lagos.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, in the Orile-Iganmu area of the State.
In a disturbing video, one of the victims of the ill-fated bus, Dare Abiola, said the incident occurred at about 1p.m.
According to him, the hoodlums disguised as protesters against the seizure of motorcycles by the task force.
The victim noted that the attackers carted away some valuables belonging to the passengers.
Abiola also lamented that the assailants cart away cash and other valuables during the attack which lasted for between 20 to 30 minutes with security personnel conspicuously absent.
According to him, “I boarded a BRT bus from Mile 2 going to CMS. When we got to the Odunade bus stop, we noticed a crowd had gathered, and some were marching to the Orile bus stop.
“From what we heard, they said they were going to Orile police station to go and attack some policemen who I learnt had raided some motorcyclists around the Odunade-Coker axis.
“As we moved further, the crowd grew. When we got to the Alafia bus stop, in front of the NNPC fuel station, some guys started breaking the BRT windshield and the windows.
“Personally, they collected my bag and my phone. Before I released the items, they threatened to stab me with a Trophy bottle.”
He noted that the incident was incidented at the Orile police station.
The video captured the vandalized bus with the background voices of some of the victims.
Reacting, Mr Idowu Oguntona, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL), condemned the development in a statement signed by Mr Afolabi Olawale, its Public Affairs Officer, on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
He said the State Government would not stand idly and allow such acts of lawlessness and illicit acts to continue.
“The bus, which was traveling from Mile 2 to Leventis, was approaching the Oore-Ofe bus stop on the Orile axis with 35 passengers on board when a large mob suddenly emerged and swarmed the bus.
“The attackers assaulted passengers, stabbed them with sharp objects, and robbed them of their phones and other valuables,” he said.
“These criminals, who cannot be true Lagosians but rather agents of anarchy, have no place in any decent society,” he said.
“The Lagos State Government is committed to taking all necessary legal steps to protect residents and visitors.
“There is no need for fear, we assure all commuters of their safety while traveling on all public transportation platforms in Lagos State,” the LBSL boss added.
