A Lagos State-owned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle, marked 240216 and managed by the Lagos Bus Services Ltd. (LBSL), was attacked in the Orile area of Lagos on Monday, Apples Bite Magazine has learned.
Videos of the incident began circulating on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. According to social media accounts, the bus was vandalized by unknown assailants.
An undated statement signed by Afolabi Olawale, a public affairs officer at the LBSL, confirmed on Wednesday that hoodlums descended on the bus, which was journeying from Mile 2 to Leventis. The attackers vandalized the bus and dispossessed passengers of their personal belongings.
Despite the widespread reports and social media posts, Olawale did not specify the exact date of the incident. In a video clip, a man, believed to be an LBSL employee, almost disclosed the cause of the attack but stopped short, instead narrating how the event unfolded.
“We heard that the incident happened due to the LAMATA (Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority) enforcement that was trying to…,” the man began before abruptly cutting off. LAMATA is the agency responsible for managing the state-controlled public transport infrastructure.
However, the immediate cause of the attack remains unclear.
On Thursday, Apples Bite Magazine visited the area where the bus attack occurred and spoke with two eyewitnesses.
The investigation revealed that the attack was led by an aggrieved group whose exact motive remains unconfirmed.
An undisclosed witness told Apples Bite Magazine that an enforcement activity in the area earlier in the day may have sparked the violent response.
During the enforcement activity, one person was reportedly shot in the area. It’s common for attempts to enforce local regulations to be met with resistance, often resulting in violence.
Shortly after the enforcers left, a group of individuals took over the road, marching towards Orile Bus-stop. When they reached Sari Iganmu Junior Secondary School, they spotted the BRT bus stuck in traffic.
Witnesses claimed that the attackers targeted the bus because it was government property.
“They were too many on the road, shouting and causing traffic congestion. When they saw the bus, they started shouting ‘BRT’ and throwing various objects at it. People were on the bus,” the witness told Apples Bite Magazine.
“I believe they did that, thinking it was a government property. It was the only bus they singled out for attack. Other vehicles in the traffic and commercial vehicles parked by the roadside were not attacked.
“When things like this happen, you cannot separate thugs from those who are genuinely angry. But the task force also had ‘area boys’ [street thugs] on their team. It has become a practice for them to engage street boys during enforcement operations.”
While acknowledging the current economic difficulties, the witness condemned the destruction of the bus and the robbery of innocent passengers.
“One of the passengers on the bus bought sachet water from me. He said he was robbed of his phone and other items. I felt pity for him.
“I understand that the government has warned motorcyclists about operating in those areas. But when family economies have crumbled, people will defy even the strictest orders to survive.
“I know the government means well by restricting motorcycles in certain areas and advising traders to stay off the roadside, but most of us cannot afford to rent standard shops that cost millions of naira.
“They [the government] should consider that most of us are vulnerable and struggling to survive. They should not enforce everything by force; their policies should have a human face.”
When contacted on Thursday, Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos police public relations officer, told Apples Bite Magazine that the incident had been reported to the command, but no arrests had been made.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.