Bandits rob passengers on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Posted by admin Headlines Monday, October 3rd, 2011

A three-man robbery gang on Sunday attacked an Abuja bound bus dispossessing the passengers of property said to be worth millions of naira.

However, one of the robbers was arrested by policemen attached to the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad, while others escaped.

Our correspondent learnt that the three robbers were among 12 passengers that boarded the bus with number plate Delta XA 889 SLK from Ojota, Lagos.

But when the bus got to Sapade Bridge in Remo, Ogun State, bandits forced the driver to stop at gunpoint and dispossessed the passengers of their money and other valuables.

According to one of the victims, Ester Ayaba, the robbers operated for about an hour unchallenged.

She said, “The operation took almost an hour. They asked the driver to pull over from the main road as we approached Sapade Bridge; they ordered all of us to lie face down.”

According to her, one of the robbers brought out a pistol and threatened to shoot the driver if he failed to stop the vehicle.

Fortunately for Ayaba, the robbers did not find her telephone on her. As soon as the robbers abandoned them in the bush, she explained that she called Ojota Motor Park, where the journey began, with her telephone. The transport union at Ojota subsequently alerted the RRS.

It was learnt that as soon as the robbers sighted the RRS squad, led by Hakeem Odumosu, they took to their heels, but one of them was eventually arrested by the policemen. The two others were able to escape.

Spokesman for the state police command, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, said the distress call to RRS led to the apprehension of one of the robbers.

He said, “The suspect is in the custody of the RRS in Alausa. He is giving useful information on the whereabouts of his colleagues.”

-Punchwp_posts