The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has apprehended a notorious ‘one-chance’ syndicate operating with a painted commercial bus (KSF 56 XL) to rob unsuspecting passengers of their valuables.

The arrest occurred near a Conoil filling station along Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere, following an incident involving a female passenger, Miss Bibian Emelifonwu, who was victimised while on her way to work yesterday morning.

Emelifonwu recounted that she boarded the bus and sat beside a male passenger carrying a nylon bag in the front seat next to the driver. Under the guise of opening the front door beside her, the man leaned on her and stealthily removed her phone from her bag. After the theft, the gang callously ejected her from the moving vehicle onto the highway.

A vigilant team of LASTMA officers managing traffic in the area witnessed the incident, pursued the fleeing bus, and apprehended the driver, Mr Toyib Ogunjobi. However, his accomplices—the conductor and another passenger—escaped.

During interrogation, Ogunjobi admitted to leading a three-man syndicate, including the vehicle’s owner. He revealed that their strategy involved offering passengers low fares on the Costain-Ojota route, stealing their belongings, and ejecting them while the vehicle was in motion. He confessed that the gang generated between N250,000 and N300,000 daily by selling stolen phones and other valuables.

Seven stolen phones, including Tecno Pop, Samsung AZZ, Intel A623, Tecno Spark, Tecno Pouvoir, and Samsung devices, were recovered from the suspect. Ogunjobi further disclosed that the vehicle’s owner was actively involved in the operation and that similar ‘one-chance’ activities were proliferating across Lagos.

General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the officers for their prompt action, which prevented further harm to commuters. He urged Lagos residents to exercise caution when boarding vehicles and stressed the importance of vigilance, even with private vehicles.

Bakare-Oki reminded the public of the availability of LASTMA’s toll-free hotline, 0800-005-27862, for reporting traffic-related emergencies, vehicle breakdowns, and obstructions. He assured that the apprehended suspect would be handed over to law enforcement agencies for thorough investigation and prosecution. He reiterated LASTMA’s commitment to safeguarding road users and curbing criminal activities on Lagos roads.