metro
Viral voice notes revealed missing BRT passenger struggle with her abductors –Brother
The family of a 21-year-old tailor, Bamise Ayanwole, has raised the alarm over her alleged abduction by a driver of the Lagos Bus Services Limited.
The said Bamise’s whereabouts had been unknown since she boarded an LBSL bus, popularly known as BRT, at the Chevron area of Lekki en route to Oshodi on February 25, 2022.
City Round gathered that the Ekiti State indigene boarded the bus at 7:30pm and became suspicious when the yet-to-be-identified driver told her to sit at one the back seats.
A source, who did not want to be named, said Bamise, who became uncomfortable, sent out voice notes and a short clip to express her concern to one of her friends.
“On her way home, the driver picked up two men and one woman. This made her calm down a bit. Then she told us she would alight at Oworonshoki. We called her and noticed something was unusual about the way she was talking. We tried to reach out to her again but her phone was unreachable; then we waited a bit, thinking it was probably (due to a) low battery, only for her parents to contact us on Sunday that Bamise wasn’t home yet and since then we have been at the Oshodi BRT Terminal 3. We were told to sit and wait for the driver to come. The driver did not show up,” the source added.
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In a series of voice notes exchanges between Bamise and a friend, which were shared on social media, she was heard telling the friend in Yoruba that the bus stopped to pick her up but did not pick other passengers.
Sensing danger, she was said to have made a short video showing the silhouette of a driver and what looked like the vehicle number.
The clip, which was obtained by City Round, also showed that the bus was not well-lit.
Her mother was seen in a video trending on social media wailing in front of a bus numbered, 240257, in 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 coming to Oshodi. The vehicle got to its destination but the child did get home. We can’t find her. They must find Bamise for me. I didn’t tell her to go to Lagos to die,” she lamented.
The missing lady’s elder brother, James, told our correspondent on Friday that Bamise was heard struggling with someone on the bus during last phone conversation with her.
James said the family had been having sleepless nights since the 21-year-old went missing.
He said, “The driver took to his heels. As we speak, he is at large. We learnt that he no longer resides where he claimed he resided. It is a case of kidnapping.
“If the driver were available, we may have said it was a case of a missing person. Moreover, she boarded the bus and three people were picked up along the road. When she was called, she didn’t pick up her call. When she picked, she was heard struggling with a man, so this is not a case of a missing person. I believe this (kidnapping) has been ongoing.
“From my little investigation, I discovered that the company does not have proper documentation of their drivers. We learnt that the driver moved from where he claimed to be living over a year ago and his guarantor doesn’t live where he claimed to be living. The company is trying to push us aside and keep it away from the press. Our parents are aware but they aged, so we had to convince them that all is well. But we have been having sleepless nights.”
A woman, Caroline Oni, who identified herself as Bamise’s former mistress, said the family had been informed that LBSL drivers were not officially allowed to pick passengers in the area from 6pm as they were supposed to return the buses empty to the terminal.
Police launch manhunt for driver, arrest guarantor
However, the police said they were investigating a case of a missing person, adding that the suspect’s guarantor had been arrested.
“The case has been transferred to the state CID. We are investigating the case. We have the guarantor of the driver in our custody helping us with our investigation. We are on it. We will continue to update you,” the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said.
When contacted, the Public Affairs Officer of the Lagos Bus Services Limited, Afolabi Olawale, said the company would await the outcome of the police investigation before making its position known.
“Presently, the police and the Department of States Services are on top of it,” Olawale said.
When our correspondent asked him whether he could confirm whether the suspect was an employee of LBSL, he said, “It is only the police that will answer that question.”
Punch
metro
Natasha says she won’t be forced into submission, denies apology
Natasha says she won’t be forced into submission, denies apology
Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has denied reports that she apologised to the Senate over the issue that led to her suspension.
In a statement released on Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan condemned the charges as “false and misleading,” asserting that she maintains her position.
“The reports suggesting that I have apologised to the Senate and retracted my position are completely untrue. I stand firmly by my words and actions and have not issued any apology to the Senate or anyone regarding this matter,” she said.
She chastised individuals disseminating false claims, accusing them of attempting to distort the truth and misinform the public.
The senator, who was suspended following a disagreement with Senate leadership, stated that she is still devoted to defending her constituents’ rights and that some people are attempting to mislead public opinion with false remarks.
“I urge the public to disregard these rumours and publications, as they do not represent my position. My commitment remains to truth, justice, and the people I represent.”
Natasha also expressed concern over what she called a planned effort to silence her voice in the National Assembly.
She stated, “This is not just about me; it is about the integrity of our democracy. I will not be intimidated or forced into submission through false narratives.
Natasha urged Nigerians to be careful of misinformation, adding that any official statement from her would come only from her verified channels.
“I appreciate the support and solidarity of my people. Rest assured, I will continue to fight for what is right and just.”
Following her suspension from the Senate, some have advocated for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall.
The recall effort came after she was suspended from the Senate following a heated debate with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements.
She also accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and has subsequently taken her case to local and international media outlets, as well as the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Natasha says she won’t be forced into submission, denies apology
metro
UNIOSUN mourns as 5 students die in auto crash
UNIOSUN mourns as 5 students die in auto crash
A tragic auto accident on the Ikire-Ibadan expressway has claimed the lives of five students from Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo.
The fatal crash, which occurred on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Balogun Area of Ikire, involved a luxurious bus traveling from Ibadan and an 18-passenger bus from Osogbo. Reports indicate that both vehicles collided head-on, resulting in multiple casualties.
In addition to the UNIOSUN students, five other individuals also lost their lives in the horrific accident, bringing the total death toll to ten.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the cause of the crash, but emergency responders were on the scene to provide assistance.
A statement released by the Institution’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, stated that reports from the Nigerian Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), that the accident was caused by the head-on collision of the two buses, leading to a severe impact that claimed the lives of several passengers.
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“Our University Management, upon receiving this distressing news, swiftly dispatched a team to the scene to identify and support any of our students involved in the accident.
“Regrettably, we confirm the loss of the following students; Olagbemide Dotun, a 200-level student of Software Engineering, Suleiman Farouq, a 400-level student of Law, Ogundare Pelumi, a 300-level student of Public Health, Ogundare Elijah, a 100-level student of Mechanical Engineering and Olawuyi Mary, a 200-level student of Nursing.
“However, one of our students, Olagbemide Damilola, a 200-level student of Medicine and Surgery, survived the accident and is currently receiving medical attention.
“Osun State University is working closely with the relevant authorities to gather more details on the circumstances surrounding the accident. We are also providing necessary moral and logistical support to the bereaved families, including funeral arrangements for the deceased students.
“This tragic loss has deeply shaken our University community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the deceased. We urge our students, staff, and the entire university community to remain calm and supportive during this difficult time”, he said.
UNIOSUN mourns as 5 students die in auto crash
metro
Rivers HoS resigns, new SSG named
Rivers HoS resigns, new SSG named
Rivers Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has announced the resignation of the Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, describing the development as sad.
The Administrator appreciated the immense contributions of Nwaeke in the short period he served the administration and wished him well in his future endeavors.
Ibas said in the interim, Dr Iyingi Brown, Permanent Secretary Welfare, Office of the Head of Service had been appointed in acting capacity until the emergence of a new Head of Service.
While congratulating her on her appointment, Ibas assured the people of Rivers of his commitment to neutrality, peace and stability.
Ibas also announced the appointment of Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG).
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He said his appointment followed careful consideration of his credentials, extensive experience, and performance during rigorous selection process.
“Prof. Worika’s distinguished career spans academia, international legal practice, and high-level policy advisory roles, making him uniquely qualified to support the Administrator in the onerous task of achieving Mr President’s mandate. His appointment takes immediate effect,” Ibas said.
He added that Worika’s appointment reflected his commitment to harnessing the great human capital of the Rivers’ people to work with him to achieve the much-needed peace, stability and security.
Worika, who hails from Okirika, Rivers State, is a globally recognised scholar, legal expert and administrator with a track record in public service and institutional leadership.
He holds a Ph.D. in International Environmental and Comparative Petroleum Law & Policy from the University of Dundee, United Kingdom, and has performed roles across academia, international organizations, and government advisory capacities.
He is the Director of the Centre for Advanced Law Research at Rivers State University and served as Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Port Harcourt.
Rivers HoS resigns, new SSG named
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