Tension as Hoodlums raid BRT in Lagos, rob passengers

On Tuesday, a disturbing incident unfolded in Orile, Lagos, when a group of street thugs, masquerading as protesters, attacked and robbed passengers on a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. The assault occurred around 1 pm, with the assailants targeting the bus and stealing valuables from the passengers.

According to Dare Abiola, a victim and eyewitness, the attackers had disguised themselves as demonstrators protesting the seizure of motorcycles by the task force. As the BRT bus approached the Odunade bus stop, passengers noticed a crowd gathering, with some people marching towards the Orile bus stop.

Abiola recounted, “I was traveling from Mile 2 to CMS when we reached the Odunade bus stop. We saw a crowd gathering, and some people marching towards Orile. Suddenly, the thugs attacked our bus, taking money and valuables from us.”

The attack lasted for 20 to 30 minutes, with no intervention from security personnel. This lack of response has raised concerns about the safety and security of public transportation systems in the area.

The thugs claimed they were heading to the Orile police station to confront officers who had conducted a raid on motorcyclists in the Odunade-Coker axis. However, it appears they used this situation as a cover for their criminal activities.

This incident has sparked calls for enhanced security measures on public transit systems in Lagos. Passengers and community members are urging authorities to take swift action to ensure the safety of commuters and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.