Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has received with shock and trepidation the killing of a 22-year-old lady, Miss Oluwabamise Ayanwole, who got missing after boarding a Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle.
It was learnt that Ayanwole got missing while returning to Ota from Ajah on Saturday, February 26 when she boarded a BRT bus belonging to the Lagos state government with plate number 240257 going to Oshodi at about 7 p.m. at Chevron Bus-Stop.
What this incident has shown is the legal liability of the Lagos state government because the bus and the facility where she was kidnapped belongs to the state government and the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos state government is the governor of Lagos state and since the legal entity, the business premises belongs to the state government, the government of Lagos State and the governor must take direct responsibility for what has happened.
HURIWA in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, however, applauded the Lagos state government and Lagos state police command for swiftly arresting the killer of miss Oluwabamise but we still feel that this killing is totally avoidable if the Lagos state government had done forensic background checks of all the drivers and other staff they are employing in their transport company.
“The Lagos State government owes the citizens the duty of care and the obligations to ensure that they are safe whilst using the services provided for by the government and paid for by the citizens.
“So, since the Lagos state government employed a ritual killer as a driver, they should be held responsible for the death of this innocent girl.
“Finally, the Lagos state government is advised to pay the sum of N1 billion Naira to the family of the victim to avoid lengthy litigation.
“Lastly, the Lagos state government should undertake a comprehensive background assessment of all the drivers to be sure there are no other ritual killers embedded in the Lagos state transport services.”
It would be recalled that the 22-year-old lady, Miss Oluwabamise Ayanwole, who got missing after boarding a Lagos Bus Rapid Transit vehicle, has been found dead.
One of Ayanwole’s relatives confirmed this “We are at the morgue. We have confirmed the corpse,” the relative said in an emotional-laden voice.
It was learnt that her corpse was dropped on Lagos Island by a BRT vehicle and a jeep.
Upon sighting the corpse by the roadside, an unknown man reportedly informed officials of Ebute Ero Police Station on Saturday evening.
The corpse was later taken to the Mainland Hospital mortuary.
“An autopsy will be carried out to confirm if any part of her body is missing.”
It was learnt that Ayanwole got missing while returning to Ota from Ajah on Saturday, February 26 when she boarded a BRT bus with number 240257 going to Oshodi at about 7 p.m. at Chevron Bus-Stop.
It was gathered that the victim worked as a Fashion Designer at Chevron Estate, Ajah and spent weekends at Ota, Ogun State, with her sister.
Sensing danger as the bus did not pick any other passenger at subsequent bus stops, Oluwabamise had engaged a friend using voice notes on her phone.
The voice notes showed that the bus driver said he liked Oluwabamise and asked for her name and other details.
She told her friend to pray for her as she became suspicious of the bus driver and in response, the friend told her to alight at Oworonsoki bus stop — before Oshodi bus stop.
Oluwabamise had also sent a video to her friend showing how dark it was in the bus and said, “There are three men and one woman in the bus. The woman is sitting at the back. That’s the number of the bus in case. Please pray for me.’’
That was the last that was heard from Oluwabamise, according to her mother.
Police in Lagos and the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit are searching for a BRT driver in whose bus a 22-year-old lady was allegedly kidnapped.
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