By Christopher Oji
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has ended the reign of a syndicate of robbers who operate in a commercial bus.
The agency apprehended a member of the three-man syndicate (‘One Chance’), led by the owner of the vehicle, Toyib Ogunjobi, although his accomplices—the conductor and another passenger—managed to escape.
The suspect, Ogunjobi, admitted to being a member of the gang, revealing that their modus operandi involved enticing passengers with low fares on the Costain-Ojota route, stealing their belongings and forcibly ejecting them from the vehicle while in motion.
Ogunjobi further confessed that the syndicate generated between N250,000 and N300,000 daily by selling the stolen phones and other valuables. He also disclosed that similar One Chance operations were proliferating across Lagos State, illustrating the pervasive nature of the criminal enterprise.
According to the director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq,”A notorious One-Chance syndicate that was using a painted commercial bus with registration number KSF 56 XL to rob unsuspecting passengers of their valuables has been arrested.
“The arrest occurred near a filling station along Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere, Lagos, following an incident involving a female passenger, Miss Bibian Emelifonwu, who fell victim to the syndicate’s treachery while en route to work Tuesday morning.
“ Recounting her ordeal, Miss Emelifonwu disclosed that she boarded the bus and sat beside a male passenger holding a polythene bag in the front seat next to the driver. Under the pretext of opening the front door beside her, the man surreptitiously leaned on her and deftly removed her phone from her bag.
“Having successfully executed the theft, the criminals heartlessly ejected her from the moving vehicle onto the highway. Fortunately, a vigilant team of LASTMA officers overseeing traffic in the area witnessed the incident. They swiftly pursued the fleeing bus, ultimately apprehending the driver.
“Seven stolen phones were recovered from the driver, Ogunjobi. He also admitted that the vehicle’s owner was actively involved in the operation.
“The general manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, lauded the officers for their swift and commendable action, which prevented further harm to innocent commuters.
“He urged Lagos residents to exercise heightened vigilance when boarding vehicles, emphasizing the need for caution not only with commercial buses but also with private vehicles that may harbour ill intent.
“Mr. Bakare-Oki also reiterated the availability of the recently launched LASTMA toll-free hotline, 0800-005-27862, enabling the public to report traffic-related issues, including emergencies, vehicle breakdowns and obstructions.
“He assured Lagosians that the apprehended driver would be handed over to law enforcement for thorough investigation and prosecution. This decisive action underscores LASTMA’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding road users and curbing criminal activities on Lagos roads.
“This arrest serves as a powerful reminder of the need for constant vigilance and the dedication of LASTMA officers to ensuring public safety and order.”