Bamise could have been saved, say security analysts

Failure of the Nigeria police system may have contributed to the unwarranted death of 22-year-old Miss Oluwabamise Ayanwole, who got missing after boarding a Lagos Bus Rapid Transit vehicle (BRT) bus.

A source had branded Bamise’s killing as “one of the most widespread institutional failings in modern history.” The late Bamise’s body was found lying on the Carter Bridge, by Ogogoro Community in Lagos Island on March 7, close to 72 hours after she had let out intelligence regarding the danger she was in.

But for system failure and tardiness in police response to emergencies, security analysts believe Bamise could have been saved.

It is believed that security agencies could have intervened between the time she alerted her friend and when family members stormed the BRT terminal, and when her abductors killed her.

According to security analyst, Christopher Oji, “security agencies and mobile phone service providers have disappointed not only the lady, but Nigerians. What is the essence of registering our SIM cards and the much celebrated NIN. Service providers cannot deny the fact that they saw what transpired as the deceased was sending distress call to her friend and family members.

“They could have informed security agencies and raised the alarm and warn the assailants that they were being trailed and should leave their victim alone. If it were in a sane and organised society, that lady would have been saved.

“Let our government do something about synergy between the service providers and security agencies. Let them work out modalities on how to fight crime through communication. The same fate is what befalls victims of advance fee fraudsters and kidnappers. The providers will know about everything about locations of the criminals, but won’t cooperate with security agencies. The government should do something urgent about it.”

Risk management analyst and president of private security practitioners, Wilson Esangbedo said Nigerians’ level of security education is very poor.

“Most Nigerians don’t have police phone numbers. Even when we do, police response is poor. Our system does not operate effectively. At times it’s effective and at other times, it is not. She was just unlucky that those she called had no idea what to do.

“A simple call to police control should have saved her from death. Response can be fast. The problem is getting to the response agencies. Our system of policing is still not as effective as it should be as security education of the civilian population is still very poor. Instead of calling the police, the family members stormed the BRT terminal but by then she was already dead.”

Security analyst, Chidi Omeje said the late Bamise did all in her powers to be alive but the response to her distress call was characteristically slow.

“I believe she would have been saved but for the usual absent-mindedness of our security and response agencies in emergencies. Nigeria has once again failed another soul. May her soul rest in peace. Amen.”

Convener of Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), Emmanuel Onwubiko noted that the police could have done more if they were alerted.

There ought to be massive enlightenment campaign by police to make people trust them. There is serious trust deficit of the police in the society and this gulf between the citizens and the police keeps widening and expanding exponentially because nothing is done by the police to bridge the gap between the police and the people.

Nigeria needs to take action to get the police unbundled and get the official mind-set of the police to undergo comprehensive reorientation to begin to see the citizens as the owners of the sovereignty of Nigeria and therefore the masters of the police and not the other way round.”

Former Chief Security officer of Sterling bank, simply told The Guardian, “the society failed her.”