Lagos State Government on Monday evening eventually breaks its silence on the case of the lady who went missing after boarding BRT, and later found dead Oluwabamise Ayanwole.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen, vowed to leave no stone unturned in the investigations and arrest of everyone found culpable in the kidnap and death of Miss Ayanwole.
Assuring Lagos residents of their safety and security in the state, the governor revealed that the driver of the BRT bus involved in the incident has been arrested while the management of Lagos Bus Service Limited has been directed to cooperate fully with security agencies in their investigations, so that the full weight of the law is brought down on everyone involved in the matter.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who commiserated with the family of the victim, gave his words that justice would be served, stressing that he would be following the investigations closely to ensure that Bamise gets the justice she deserves.
The statement reads in full:
“Dear Lagosians, the life of every citizen of the state matters to us, and we do not take the security of our people for granted.
“We will therefore leave no stones unturned in the investigations and arrest of everyone found culpable in the kidnap and death of Miss Oluwabamise Ayanwole.
“The driver of the BRT bus involved in this unfortunate incident has been arrested, and the management of Lagos Bus Service Ltd have been directed to cooperate fully with security agencies in their investigations, so that the full weight of the law is brought down on everyone involved in this ugly incident.
“To Bamise’s family and loved ones, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time, may the Almighty God console you. I hereby give you my word that JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED.
“To fellow Lagosians, I assure you that I am following all the investigations closely, and will ensure that Bamise gets the justice she deserves.
“I also assure you all that the BRT services remain safe, despite this condemnable act.
“Once again, my sincere condolences to the Ayanwole family.
“May Oluwabamise’s soul Rest In Peace. Amen.”
It would be recalled that that Miss Ayanwola got missing while returning to Ota from Ajah on Saturday, February 26 when she boarded a BRT bus with number 240257 going to Oshodi at about 7pm at Chevron Bus-Stop.
It was gathered that the victim worked as a Fashion Designer at Chevron Estate, Ajah and spent weekends at Ota, Ogun State, with her sister.
Sensing danger as the bus did not pick any other passenger at subsequent bus stops, Oluwabamise had engaged a friend using voice notes on her phone.
The voice notes showed that the bus driver said he liked Oluwabamise and asked for her name and other details.
She told her friend to pray for her as she became suspicious of the bus driver and in response, the friend told her to alight at Oworonsoki bus stop — before Oshodi bus stop.
Oluwabamise had also sent a video to her friend showing how dark it was in the bus and 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 heard from Oluwabamise, according to her mother.