“We Entice Passengers With Low Fares” : LASTMA Nabs Notorious ‘One-Chance Syndicate’

“We entice passengers with low fares” : LASTMA nabs notorious ‘one-chance syndicate’

Culprit says they make ₦250,000 to ₦300,000 daily by selling stolen phones and valuables.

LASTMA boss urges Lagos residents to exercise heightened vigilance when boarding vehicles.

LASTMA nabs notorious ‘one-chance syndicate who entice passengers with low fares. 

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has apprehended a notorious One-Chance syndicate that deploys a painted commercial bus (KSF 56 XL) to rob unsuspecting passengers of their valuables.

The arrest follows a distressing incident involving a female passenger, Miss Bibian Emelifonwu, who was heartlessly ejected her from a moving vehicle after falling victim to the syndicate’s treachery while en route to work earlier in the morning.

Fortunately, a vigilant team of LASTMA officers overseeing traffic in the area, who witnessed the incident, chased down the fleeing commercial bus and apprehended the driver.

“They (LASTMA) swiftly pursued the fleeing bus, ultimately apprehending the driver, identified as Mr. Toyib Ogunjobi, while his accomplices, the conductor and another passenger, managed to escape.”

Seven stolen phones were recovered from Ogunjobi during his arrest near a Conoil filling station along Funsho Williams Avenue in Surulere, Lagos. During interrogation, he admitted to leading a three-man syndicate, which included the owner of the bus.

“He revealed that their modus operandi involved enticing passengers with low fares on the Costain-Ojota route, stealing their belongings, and forcibly ejecting them from the vehicle while in motion.

Ogunjobi further confessed that the syndicate generates between ₦250,000 and ₦300,000 daily through the sales of stolen phones and valuables.

Reacting to the incident, LASTMA boss, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, urged Lagos residents to exercise heightened vigilance when boarding vehicles. He emphasized the need for caution not only with commercial buses but also with private vehicles that may harbor ill intent.

• See Also : LASTMA Attends 2,051 Road Traffic Incidents Involving 3,754 Vehicles In 2024, Rescued 1,075 Lives