Two females in a bus conveying passengers from Lagos to Abuja were last Tuesday raped by armed robbers who attacked their bus at Sagamu area of Ogun State.
It was gathered that the three-man gang armed robbers were among the passengers that boarded the bus at Jibowu area of Lagos.
But on getting to Sagamu, they brought out their guns, ordered the driver to stop and then diverted the bus.
The Station Manager, Ifesinachi Bus Transit, the operator of the vehicle, who identified himself simply as Nelson, confirmed the incident. He said the victims would be compensated.
He said, “Truly, the bus was robbed, and I immediately left to meet the victims when the report got to us.
“I addressed everybody, including the two girls that were raped. Some were given money to return home while others were advised to report at our Jibowu office for another bus to convey them to Abuja the next day.
“Some of them disagreed with the arrangement. I spoke to the two ladies that were raped in privacy and volunteered to take them to the hospital. One of them refused and the other who said she was 18-year-old accepted.
Nelson admitted that the passengers were not checked before they boarded the vehicle, saying he thought the style used by the robbers was no longer in vogue.
“We are sorry for not checking the passengers but you need to understand that nobody is perfect. There was also security arrangement we put in place but we stopped when we felt things had normalised. This was part of the reasons why we don’t operate night buses,” he said.
On the insinuation that the bus’ driver could have been the mastermind of the robbery, the station manager said all their workers were reliable.
Nelson said, “He parked at Somolu because of the limited space at our office. I could have called him but his phone and other valuables were also taken by the robbers.”
A final year pupil of the Nigeria Military School, Kaduna State, who was one of the victims, Feyisa Ayo-Vaughan, said the robbery took place few hours after they left Lagos.
He said, “We left Lagos around 8am. On getting to Sagamu, one of them brought out a pistol, pointed it at the driver and took over the steering and drove us into the bush. We were searched, robbed, and then the two girls were raped.”
The pupil, who lost his documents and money to the robbers, said the documents might affect his leaving the school in August.
Another victim of the robbery, who is also a pupil of the NMS, Silas Anure, said the attack was like a dream.
“They drove us into the bush and collected our money and even raped two girls. Two of the robbers slept with one girl, while the other two robbers slept with the second girl,” he claimed.
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this is very bad... I pity the armed robbers.. Why cant we help ourselves instead of stealing from our colleagues and fellow country men just to enrich ourselves.. God have mercy
ReplyDeleteWhat a negligence! Ifesinachi Mgt should know that Armed Robbery is on the increase and shouldnt have relented. As for the poor girls that were raped, lt them take heart and seek medical attention immediately to avoid adding salt to injury. Robbers thar rape are not far from meeting their waterloo. They will soon die.
ReplyDeletePlease sue them for negligence!!
ReplyDeleteSee the way the company's manager was talking...He suppose to be locked up.How can u be saying everything is normalized.In the country where rate of crime is on the increase everyday?He's only saying that unnecessarily to calm down the hearts of the people.This is gross negligence!What of the damages that have been done?The company should be sued.
ReplyDeleteOne day na for thief and anoter day is for owner, they may think they have succeed now but i promise them next time they will never go free. AS for the two girls they raped pls take heart is one those temptation of LIFE. It is well with u all.
ReplyDeleteThese armed robbers are doomed already! The incidence is as a result of negligence on the part of the company. That manager's comments really sucks A**
ReplyDeleteThis smells like an inside job. An apple never falls far from the tree. I sympathise with the victims. It is not easy to live with the fact that a smelly (possibly disease-ridden) creature has had forceful carnal knowledge of one. I just hate it when these beasts always have to resort to raping girls or women when they are operating. Take the loot and vamoose. It is bad enough... this is so annoying!
So sad.
ReplyDeletei am in shocked!!!
ReplyDeletewhatever has a beginning surely has an end, one day the robbers will end their lifes. for d 2 girls pls check ur self at the hospital n mk sure u r okay.
ReplyDeleteThat Nelson who admitted that the passengers were not checked before they boarded the vehicle, saying he thought the style used by the robbers was no longer in vogue, has questions to answer, including the company itself who failed in providing security for its passengers- that is if it wasn't an arranged job.
ReplyDeleteThat bus company manager statement is pure nonsence
ReplyDeleteThot they used to have police men on board. Also, last i traveled with ABC, men were not allowed hand luggage at all while women's handbags were thoroughly searched before boarding. The bus company is indeed liable.
ReplyDeleteThat claim by Nelson that he thought that such a method of armed robbery was no longer in vogue was to me appalling. he sounded too mean and as though the rape was a light matter. He, the driver of the bus, and entire management of the transport coy should be probed until true confession is obtained.
ReplyDeleteWhat would a compensation do to a victim of a rape? Undo the deed? Reverse their condition as victims? Just what would it do?
You see, people had better understand how some think "money answereth all things." The best compensation for those victims is JUSTICE.
if the police should fail in their duty on this matter similar others, I fear what the future fate of Nigerians, including members of their own families, are.
My sincere sympathy to the two lady victims
it is very unfurtunate
ReplyDelete