For the intervention of the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) attached to the Lagos State Police Command, Mz. Liberty Whitney would have lost all her valuables and certificates to highway robbers also known as ‘one chance’ robbery gang in Oshodi, Lagos Mainland.
However, an unidentified driver who bus was almost snatched by the robbers died following gunshot wounds sustained in the robbery.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, According to the Police, the victim, an International relations graduate from Lead City University, Ibadan, was on her way from school at about 9.30pm and boarded an unpainted public bus from Oshodi to Mile 2. She was the only passenger in the vehicle as at the time she boarded.
Minutes after moving, more passengers came on board and the bus was left with two empty seats. On getting to Rainbow bus top along the Oshodi – Apapa expressway, two men boarded the bus and that was when pandemonium struck.
The two men who joined the bus unleashed mayhem on the passengers, the Police said.
Narrating the incident, Whitney said: “The bus was slowing down to pick passengers at Cele bus stop when two guys in white native attires, having two guns each and pointing at us while asking that we remained calm and do as we were told.
“While other passengers were screaming and jumping down from the bus, I was held by a man that had joined the bus earlier and unknown to others, was a member of the gang. He pulled me back so I could get robbed.”
Whitney noted that when she made another attempt to jump down, one of the robbers, brandished a gun in her face with the threat of getting shot if she didn’t comply.
“One of them asked me for my phone, bag and money and when I was reluctant, he hit me on my neck-line close to my chest with the butt of the gun with him. I couldn’t breathe well for some minutes. I handed over all I had with me instantly, my traveling bag, polythene bag, laptop, phone, chargers and school certificates.
“I was allowed to jump down from the vehicle. Barely some minutes later, I heard a gunshot then a guy was thrown off the bus. He had been shot by the side. He hung on the back of the bus. I don’t know why he did that though but it was at this point that RRS men chased the vehicle with bikes. The robbers shot several times in the air but the policemen went after them.”
Meanwhile, Eyes Of Lagos learnt that the robbers on getting to Mile 2, Lagos Mainland, hurriedly alighted from the vehicle, abandoning the bus.
The Police however searched the abandoned bus where the victim’s valuables and documents were recovered except for her phone that the robbers took with them.
In addition, the Police said the other victim who was shot and hung by the back of the bus was the driver.
According to the Police, the victim died of gunshot wounds on Thursday, November 23, 2017, after all efforts to revive him at the Critical Care Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja , Lagos Mainland, failed.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police PRO, SP Chike Oti, explained that investigations are ongoing to clamp down on the robbers. He however advised that citizens should not drag valuables with robbers especially when they are armed.
Meanwhile, the case has been transferred to SCID, Panti for further investigations.
