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Fresh facts emerge on woman, 22, missing from BRT

Published

5 years ago

March 6, 2022

Missing Bamise was going to brother’s house on surprise visit – Sister
Devastated family members lament mysterious disappearance
Say police have arrested guarantors of bus driver

The family of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, the 22-year-old female fashion designer whose whereabouts became unknown after she boarded a Lagos State Government owned BRT bus from Chevron Estate in Ajah on her way to Oshodi on February 26, is in deep sorrow over the incident.

In a chat with our correspondent yesterday, Bamise’s sibling, Elizabeth, lamented alleged abduction of her sister by the driver of the bus, identified as Nice Andrew Omininikoron.

Although the operators of the bus said they were awaiting the outcome of police investigation into the matter, the driver, The Nation learnt, was still at large.

Elizabeth told our correspondent yesterday that her missing sister was heading to the brother’s house at Ikotun to stay with the wife who was in ‘labour’.

She reportedly boarded the bus with number 240257 at 7:30pm and became suspicious when the driver told her to sit at one of the back seats.

Narrating her sister’s last movement, Elizabeth said: “On Saturday evening (February 26), my sister closed at 7 pm. She normally had breaks on Sundays. She works at Ajah as a fashion designer and normally works from Monday to Saturday.

“So when she closed on Saturday (February 26), she wanted to go to my brother’s house because his wife was in labour. My brother stays at Ikotun (a Lagos suburb).

“My missing sister’s house is in Ogun State, Ota precisely. She stays with our aunt who is the first born.

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“She called my brother three days before then that she would be coming but she did not know when. On the day she left Ajah, she wanted to

surprise my brother by not telling him that she was already on her way.

“She boarded a bus from Chevron Bus Stop. When she entered the BRT bus, it was only her, and there was no light inside the bus.

“She had felt safe inside the BRT bus since it is a popular state bus, but she wondered why it was only her that was in the bus and the driver didn’t pick any other passenger.

“She was even conversing with a colleague of hers because she felt unsafe. She was sending voice notes to her friend. Her friend advised her to drop since the driver didn’t pick up any other passenger.

“Before entering, she informed her friend that the driver was passing some remarks at her but she did n’t answer.

“So later on, the driver later picked up three people on the road: two men and a lady. Then she now felt calm.

“Before the driver picked the three other persons who had disguised as passengers, she made several videos of the bus and the driver and sent it to her friend. The video captured the bus number. It helped us in tracking the bus.

“Her phone was not low. It is a new phone she just bought three weeks ago. Her friend chatted with her several times, but she didn’t reply.

“She tried calling her via normal call a few minutes to 8 pm, but she didn’t pick up.

“Around 7:32 pm, she posted ‘God, it is your protection I need’ on her Whatsapp status.

“I saw the status but I didn’t see it on time because I was not online.

“After repeated calls, her friend said she heard some voices underneath trying to struggle to get the phone from her.”

Distraught mother

As would be expected, Bamise’s mother of 10 — five boys and five girls — has been seriously disturbed since her daughter went missing. In one of the viral videos seen by The Nation, the distraught mother was seen wailing in front of a bus numbered 240257, at one of the terminals of LBSL, said to be the bus Bamise had boarded.

“This is the vehicle that Bamise boarded. It has been parked. They say they cannot find the driver. Bamise boarded the vehicle at Ajah and said she was going to Oshodi. “The vehicle got to its destination but the child did not get home. We can’t find her. They must find Bamise for me. I didn’t tell her to go to Lagos to die.”

‘How her friend alerted us about her plight’

Asked how the family learnt about Bamise’s plight, Elizabeth said: “It was her friend who was chatting with her that alerted us.

“She called one of my brothers to ask for her whereabouts, but he said he had not seen her.

“I was even in church when they told me that they could not reach her.

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“My sister is someone I can vouch for because she is focused and determined. I’ve been crying because I am devastated.

“Since the day she went missing, we’ve been going around different stations. We tracked the driver and the phone number of my sister.

“When we tracked it independently of the police, we tracked it down to Oshodi terminal station. When we got there, they didn’t answer us properly.

“We were told the driver was supposed to resume by 2 pm, but we didn’t know he was around and we were there till 3/4pm.

“We later learnt the following day that the driver was around but took to his heels when he learnt that there was trouble.

“We went to Maroko and Ajah police stations to lodge complaints and we’ve been shuffling through these stations.

“We had to look for his guarantors. After locating one of his guarantors, we were told by the elder brother of the guarantor that his junior brother was not aware he was being used as a guarantor.

“The other guarantor stays at Ekoro axis, while the other stays at Ikoyi axis. They’ve been arrested.

“We’ve spoken with the Commissioner of Police. He had a phone call meeting with the terminal operators and the family to ask for questions that would aid investigation.

“We’ve sent SOS to the governor for about four days but there is no response. We’ve even gone on social media but the government has not given an audience.

“All I want is for my sister to be found. We were told to write a letter to the terminal but they refused us access.

“The police are not taking this issue for granted; they are putting themselves in our shoes because they are handling the case properly”

Last location tracked

According to Elizabeth, the family made an attempt to track the driver’s location and it showed through his phone that he was two streets away from where her missing sister is.

“The last location of the phone tracked is in Ogun State, but the driver is currently on the run.

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“We were told that the bus that is directly involved in this whole issue is still operating. This is insensitive.

“Everyone has been disturbed since Saturday that she went missing. The whole family is devastated. We need God’s intervention. I have been fasting and praying.”

Oluwabamise Ayanwola

Matter under investigation

When The Nation visited the Oshodi terminal on Saturday, normal operations were ongoing with various buses loading commuters for various destinations.

A staff at the terminal, who did not want to be named, said the Oshodi bus terminal is where BRT buses usually load to various destinations and that the family had been directed to Lagos Bus Services Limited where the case would be handled.

He however noted that the terminal operators had escalated the matter because the issue became a stain on the terminal.

“When the family came, they were angry and wanted to create a scene. I now advised them to go to LBS where the matter would be handled, so they are on it.

“The police are investigating too”.

The Nation learnt that Bamise’s family had held a meeting with the Lagos Bus Service Ltd. (LBSL), operators of BRT, on Wednesday, March 2, and the latter assured that efforts were being made to track down the driver.

Police spokesman in Lagos, Adekunle Ajisebutu, who confirmed the incident, said it was under investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, has directed that no stone should be left unturned to locate her whereabouts. Search parties have also been organised,” Ajisebutu said.

The Nation

Related Topics:BRT emerge facts missing woman

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Kaduna Troops Rescue Two-Year-Old Boy From Kidnappers, Search for Mother Continues

Published

7 hours ago

September 17, 2026

Hamdalat Bisiriyu

Kaduna Troops Rescue Two-Year-Old Boy From Kidnappers, Search for Mother Continues

A two-year-old boy is back with his family after troops rescued him from suspected kidnappers in Kaduna State.

Jafaru Baba was abducted with his mother from Ungwan Nungu village in Sanga Local Government Area. Troops later recovered the child after tracking the kidnappers to an area around Tayu Village.

The rescue followed intelligence received by security forces about the movement of the abductors and their victims.

According to security sources cited by security analyst Zagazola Makama, troops launched the operation at about 4pm on Wednesday, September 16.

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They searched Tayu High Grounds, Tayu Village and surrounding parts of Sanga LGA. The operation later brought the troops into contact with the suspected kidnappers.

A gunfight followed, forcing the abductors to retreat into the bush. In the process, they left the toddler behind.

The troops quickly secured Jafaru and later handed him over to his father.

Security sources said the troops fired 17 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition during the confrontation.

Meanwhile, the search has not ended. Security personnel are still combing the area for the child’s mother, who remains in the kidnappers’ custody.

They are also pursuing the suspects who fled after the encounter, as efforts continue to rescue the woman and bring those responsible for the abduction into custody.

Kaduna Troops Rescue Two-Year-Old Boy From Kidnappers, Search for Mother Continues

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Niger Mosque Abductions: Terrorists Execute 30 of 500 Captive Muslim Worshippers

Published

16 hours ago

September 16, 2026

Trends Admin

Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu

Niger Mosque Abductions: Terrorists Execute 30 of 500 Captive Muslim Worshippers

MINNA, NIGERIA – The mass abduction of worshippers from mosques in Niger State has escalated dramatically, with armed terrorists reportedly executing some of the hundreds of captives seized during Friday prayers. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, travelled to Niger State on Saturday to assess the security situation and ordered reinforced rescue operations.

The attacks occurred on Friday, 21 August 2026, at approximately 2pm. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that armed men simultaneously attacked mosques in four communities – Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana – in the Borgu Local Government Area, while Muslims were observing Friday prayers. Witnesses described scenes of chaos. A Dekara resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the terrorists surrounded the mosque shortly after prayers began. “As soon as the imam said ‘Assalamualaikum’, the bandits surrounded the mosque and took people away.” Local residents estimate that more than 60 people were abducted from Dekara Central Mosque alone. In Gbezhin community, no fewer than 100 people remained unaccounted for as of Sunday evening. The terrorists later released a video claiming to hold approximately 500 captives, including women and children, with the sound of children crying audible in the footage.

On Saturday, the terrorists issued a warning to surrounding communities, ordering residents to vacate their homes within 30 minutes and threatening: “We will kill anyone we meet when we return.” Those threats appear to have been carried out. A Dekara resident told Daily Trust: “We received information that some of the abducted worshippers have been killed, but we do not know the exact number. Soldiers and vigilantes have moved to recover the bodies, but all routes accessible to security personnel have been planted with improvised explosive devices.” The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), through its chairman, Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, confirmed that approximately 30 worshippers who attempted to flee were shot dead by the gunmen. This figure corresponds with reporting by NPO Reports.

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The continuing violence and execution threats have triggered mass displacement. Resident Usman Musa told journalists that more than 200 residents from Gbezin had fled to neighbouring Benin Republic for safety. Another resident added that approximately 230 residents from Gidan-Zana and Sabon-Gida were taking refuge in Gawungi, inside Benin, while others had fled to Kwara State to stay with relatives.

Among those abducted are several prominent community figures. According to Ismaila Yahaya, the 90-year-old village head of Ka’ada was among those taken. He is the biological father of the District Head of Dekara and had only recently been released from a previous kidnapping. The violence in Borgu Emirate has not been confined to the mosque attacks. The Niger State Government confirmed that Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf, the village head of Galla, was killed by armed men at his residence. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed condolences, describing the killing as evidence of the bandits’ “extreme arrogance”.

Amid the escalating crisis, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu visited Niger State on Saturday, 29 August, meeting with Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba at the Government House in Minna. He conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and pledged that “the safe rescue of the kidnapped victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice remains the focus of current operations”. Disu has ordered the deployment of elite reinforcements to Niger State, including counter-terrorism units, tactical squads and the police air wing. Assistant Inspector-General of Police Victor Olaiya of Zone 7 has been dispatched to coordinate rescue efforts. Addressing officers at the Niger State Police Command, the Inspector-General said: “Nigerians are watching to see the police do what is right. I am not here for ceremony, but to bring a strong message of support to officers and soldiers working under difficult conditions.”

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) described the attacks as “heinous and barbaric”, calling on the Federal Government to “move beyond sporadic rescue operations” and establish a permanent, intelligence-driven and community-centred security architecture. The Christian Association of Nigeria’s Niger State chapter urged the government to provide adequate security at places of worship nationwide, stressing that “an attack on any place of worship is an attack on the sanctity of worship and a threat to the wider community”. Amnesty International also urged Nigerian authorities to secure the safe release of the abducted worshippers, noting that at least 1,100 people were abducted in the country between January and April 2026, with the actual figure likely to be far higher.

As of press time, the Niger State Government said it had not received any contact or demands from the kidnappers. Information Commissioner Obed Nuhu, speaking in a television interview, said the attacks were suspected to have been carried out by Lakurawa and Boko Haram elements, though the exact number of victims remained unverified.

Niger Mosque Abductions: Terrorists Execute 30 of 500 Captive Muslim Worshippers

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Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects

Published

17 hours ago

September 16, 2026

Hamdalat Bisiriyu

Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects

The Kano State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of an alleged interstate car theft syndicate and recovered 12 vehicles linked to the group.

Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori disclosed this on Wednesday during a briefing at the Tarauni Area Command.

According to him, five suspects were first arrested in Adamawa on September 7, leading to the recovery of a Mercedes-Benz GLK 350. Further investigation resulted in the recovery of 10 additional vehicles from Kano and neighbouring states.

Five more suspects were arrested on September 12 at Kwankwasiyya City Quarters, Tarauni, where police allegedly recovered a stolen Toyota Hilux.

Bakori said preliminary findings showed that the suspects allegedly operated across Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and other states. He said the group allegedly stole vehicles, hid them at different locations and moved them across state borders for resale.

The commissioner noted that 11 of the 12 recovered vehicles were unregistered, making it difficult to trace their owners.

He urged vehicle owners to register their vehicles and display valid number plates, while warning that unregistered vehicles could make criminal investigations more difficult.

Bakori said investigations were ongoing and efforts were underway to arrest other suspected members of the syndicate.