The Lagos State Police Command has launched a manhunt for a BRT driver in whose bus a 22-year-old lady, Oluwabamise Ayanwola, was reportedly kidnapped.
It was gathered that the victim, before the unfortunate incident, works as a Fashion Designer at Chevron Estate, Ajah, and spends weekends at Ota, Ogun State, with her sister.
Ayanwola on Saturday was returning to Ota from Ajah when she boarded a BRT bus with number 240257 going to Oshodi at about 7 p.m. at Chevron Bus-Stop.
In the text and voice note sent to her friend on WhatsApp, Ayanwola sensed danger after the bus did not pick any other passenger at subsequent bus stops.
In the voices note sent to her friend, Ayanwola said that the bus driver showed interest in her, asking her name and other details.
Her last message to her friend was a prayer request as she became more suspicious of the bus driver.
Miss Ayanwola also sent a video to her friend showing how dark it was in the bus and reportedly 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 reportedly heard from her, Naija News reports.
It was gathered that Miss Ayanwola’s family held a meeting with the Lagos Bus Service Ltd. (LBSL), operators of BRT on Wednesday, March 2, and the company assured that efforts were being made to track down the driver.
It was learnt that the driver of the bus had not been seen and also the guarantor was nowhere to be found.
Johnson Omilana, a family member who reported at Akinpelu Police Station, said Miss Ayanwola had not been seen since she left Ajah on Saturday.
“We met with the BRT general manager and about three other management staff who told us that the matter was being shared on social media and that might jeopardise police investigation.
“The BRT management told us that they were working with the police to make sure the missing girl is rescued.
“The management also told us that they do not employ drivers directly and that the consultants involved are being sanctioned because of the incident,’’ Omilana said.
The Managing Director LBSL, Idowu Oguntona, did not respond to calls and messages on updates on the incident.
The police spokesman in Lagos State, Adekunle Ajisebutu, however, confirmed that the incident was under investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, has directed that no stone should be left unturned to locate her whereabouts. Search parties have also been organised,’’ Ajisebutu said.
