The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has apprehended a notorious One-Chance syndicate operating with a painted commercial bus (KSF 56 XL).
The arrest occurred near a Conoil filling station along Funsho Williams Avenue in Surulere, Lagos, following a distressing incident involving a female passenger.
The victim, Miss Bibian Emelifonwu, recounted how she fell prey to the syndicate on her way to work.
She boarded the bus and sat beside a man holding a nylon bag in the front seat next to the driver. Under the guise of opening the door, the man leaned toward her and stole her phone from her bag. After the theft, the criminals forcibly ejected her from the moving vehicle onto the highway.
A vigilant team of LASTMA officers monitoring traffic in the area witnessed the incident and immediately pursued the fleeing bus. The driver, identified as Mr. Toyib Ogunjobi, was apprehended, while his accomplices—the conductor and another passenger—escaped.
During interrogation, Ogunjobi confessed to leading a three-man syndicate, which included the owner of the bus. He revealed their strategy of luring passengers with low fares along the Costain-Ojota route, stealing their belongings, and ejecting them from the moving vehicle. According to him, the syndicate generated between ₦250,000 and ₦300,000 daily by selling stolen items.
Seven stolen phones, including models such as Tecno Pop, Samsung AZZ, Intel A623, Tecno Spark, Tecno Pounoir, and other Samsung devices, were recovered during Ogunjobi’s arrest. He admitted that the vehicle’s owner was an active participant in their operations.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the officers for their swift and effective action, which prevented further harm to innocent commuters. He urged Lagos residents to remain vigilant when boarding vehicles, emphasizing the risks posed by both commercial and private vehicles used for criminal activities.
Mr. Bakare-Oki highlighted the importance of the LASTMA toll-free hotline, 0800-005-27862, for reporting emergencies, traffic-related issues, and suspicious activities. He assured the public that the apprehended driver would be handed over to law enforcement agencies for thorough investigation and prosecution.
“This arrest demonstrates our commitment to ensuring public safety and curbing criminal activities on Lagos roads,” Bakare-Oki stated.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the dedication of LASTMA officers in safeguarding road users and maintaining order across Lagos State.
