LAGOS: Unknown gunmen kill commercial bus driver, rob passengers

There was chaos at the Mile 2 area of Lagos State when a commercial bus driver was shot dead by unknown gunmen who were taking turns to dispossess passengers of their valuables.

According to reports, the yet-to-be identified driver was shot, thrown out of his vehicle and left for dead when he refused to allow the robbers to take his bus by force.

Recounting the incident, a witness identified as Liberty Whitney said the gunmen fled the scene as soon as they sighted men of the Rapid Response Squad who chased them in motorcycles.

She said; “It was around 9.30pm that I boarded the bus. I was the only passenger in the vehicle as of then. More people later joined and the bus had two vacant seats left.

“The bus left the park and was about to pick more passengers at Cele bus stop when two men in white native attires pointed guns at us. They asked that we remained calm and do as we were told. They then joined the bus.

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“While other passengers were screaming and jumping down from the bus, I was held by a man that had joined the bus earlier when I tried to jump down as well. Like other passengers, I never knew the man was a member of the gang.

“When I made another attempt to jump down, one of the robbers pointed a gun in my face with a threat to shoot if I didn’t comply. One of them asked me for my phone, bag and money and when I was reluctant, he hit me in the neck with the butt of the gun. I couldn’t breathe well for some time. I handed over all I had with me instantly: travelling bag, polythene bag, laptop, phone, chargers and school certificates.

“I was allowed to jump down from the vehicle afterwards. A few minutes later, I heard a gunshot. A man was thrown off the bus. He had hanged on the back of the bus when he was shot by the side.”

Confirming the incident, SP Chike Oti, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, said investigations were ongoing and he also advised residents of the state not to endanger their lives by arguing with armed robbers.

“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, for further investigations,” he added.

 

 

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