Metro

Bamise: Outrage As New Victim Says Arrested Lagos BRT Driver Raped Her Inside Bus

Published

4 years ago

March 11, 2022

Many Nigerians have expressed anger after a grisly revelation that Nice (Andrew) Omininikoron, the driver of the Bus Rapid Transit vehicle arrested in connection with the brutal murder of a passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwola, had in the past allegedly raped another lady.

Nigerians registered their displeasure on various social media platforms and called for an urgent prosecution of the driver, in the interest of justice.

They also urged other female passengers to speak up on their encounters with the BRT drivers in Lagos State.

There have been calls for justice for Bamise, whose corpse was recovered at Ebute Ero, after she was last seen on the BRT bus driven by Omininikoron.

Narrating her ordeal to The PUNCH on Thursday, the lady accused the 47-year-old of raping her in the BRT bus.

The female victim accused Omininikoron of raping her on November 25, 2021, sharing a similar narrative with Bamise’s saga.

The former salesgirl at a shop in Ajah said after she closed from work around 8 pm, she boarded the BRT bus driven by the suspect.

The driver was to convey her from the Alesh Bus Stop in Ajah, to Jakande, along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, when things took another dimension.

The victim said she could not call for help because Omininikoron parked the bus at a desolate location, adding that he refused to let her go after allegedly raping her.

She also claimed that Nice threatened to stab her.

A statement of account provided by the victim confirmed Omininikoron sent N3,000 to her on November 25, 2021.

A video clip of her torn clothes was also seen by our correspondent.

THE REACTIONS:

Anabel Phill: Thank you for sharing your bitter experience with the BRT driver Omininikoron. You have given voice to his last victim who unfortunately did not survive his attack and many other victims out there who can’t speak out. I pray justice is served.

Abiodun Komolafe: This man should be made a scapegoat to serve as deterrence to others. I’m very sure he is not the only one. People are just too wicked. Imagine the BRT is not safe again.

Adeleke Adentan: The driver’s cup is just full. This was not the first time he and his gang had been doing this and finally, they presumably are working for some big people. Just check out his confidence, someone that is supposed to have been beaten to stupor. I am very angry in my soul whenever I hear this driver talking. He knows the other men, no doubt.

Desire Onyido: It is obvious he has been doing this for a long time. People will just go missing and family will cry and suffer in silence. If Bamise hadn’t left any clue, she would have been declared missing and just like that…!

Maarufat Busari: Another lady also had a closer experience with him at the Oshodi BRT bus stop, she only didn’t become a victim because she was waiting for her husband to pick her up, and didn’t board his bus, as he was luring her to, because it was late at night.

Itunu Adedokun: Your sins have found you out, every day for the thief, one day for the owner. You can’t escape judgement, I hope your punishment serves as a deterrence to others.

Ajibola Williams: I really can’t blame you for not coming out on time, the shame and the injustice in our society are beyond measure. May God grant you comfort, I wish you had that courage all this while to expose this evil man, maybe the victim wouldn’t have died of the same tragedy.

Nina Elumelu: His time is up in the spirit and in the physical; even if he is bailed or freed, he remains a haunted man till his last days. As for the benefactors and paymasters of this driver’s bountiful crimes, it is a loss all the way for you people.

Your evil ambitions shall be cut super-short. Are there no women and very old elders in Bamise’s community? You people don’t know what to do to stir heaven and earth for justice and vengeance? How long before we can all say is enough?

Johnson Tunde: So he has been doing this for a longer time, it was Bamise’s spirit that caught up with him. He should be taken to a psychiatrist to check on him to know the punishment he deserves.

Metro

Imo Court Sentences 34-year-old Man To Death By Hanging For Kidnapping, Armed Robbery

Published

3 days ago

May 11, 2026

Editor

A State High Court sitting in Owerri, the Imo State Capital, has sentenced a 34-year-old man, Johnbosco Chidera Ashiegbu to death by hanging after finding him guilty of serial armed robbery and kidnapping.

Johnbosco, a native of Amaiyi Akabo in Ikeduru LGA of the State, was said to have been arrested in 2024 along Okigwe road, Owerri, in a stolen vehicles and after interrogation, he confessed to have been in the business of armed robbery and hostage taking, operating within Imo and Abia States with his gang.

Ruling on the matter, the presiding Judge, Hon. Justice C.N Akowundu said the defendant was guilty of all the eight count charges against him as the prosecuting counsel proved beyond reasonable doubt all the charges leveled against the accused person.

He recalled that in 2024, Ashiegbu and his gang who are currently at large, trailed one Mr. Rex Edwin Achiefula to his house at Aba while driving along with his wife and whisked the couple away, robbing them of their car and the sum of US2800 dollars.

While the wife was freed along the road, the husband was blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination where he was held hostage for close to six days.

Meanwhile, the defendant and his gang members that same day, about same time, before the abduction of Mr Rex had already abducted one Emmanuel Okezie who was also driving along the same route with Mr. Rex.

Their victims were later released after the payment of a ransom of 3.7million naira and 15 million naira, respectively.

Justice Akobundu, in the judgement, further remarked that Ashiegbu drives in fleet of cars and routinely changes ownership of all vehicles he stole to his name, including the ones he gifted his elder brother and sister during her birthday celebration.

Meanwhile, the defense counsel pleaded for leniency that the accused had not been convicted of any offense in the past and is the breadwinner of his family married with children who depend on him.

Waving out the request from the defendant counsel, the Judge said that the defendant himself did not show any sign of remorse throughout the trial.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Ikenna Obi, a Senior State Counsel in Ministry of Justice, urged the court to give its pronouncement in line with the dictates of the law.

He noted that the defendant had not shown any atom of repentance even as he had been found guilty of all the charges before the Court.

The Judge, in his final judgement, said the accused was guilty of all charges levelled against him and therefore sentenced to death by hanging.

Metro

12 Suspected Cultists Arrested In Edo

Published

3 days ago

May 11, 2026

Editor

Twelve suspected cultists have been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police Command in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC).

The suspects were arrested at Amazing Grace Estate, Elele Community, Uzairue, Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

The Edo State Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, in a statement on Monday, said the arrest was carried out on May 7 following operatives’ swift response to credible intelligence.

She stated that during preliminary investigations, seven of the suspects confessed to be cultists, with some identified as members of the Aye and Vikings confraternity.

Ikoedem said the operatives recovered a gray Mercedes Benz Jeep with registration number GWA 471 DS allegedly belonging to one Balogun Isreal, who is currently at large.

The Statement read in part, “Operatives of the Edo State Police Command in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) have arrested 12 suspected cultists at Amazing Grace Estate, Elele Community, Uzairue, Auchi in Edo North following operatives’ swift response to credible intelligence.

“The suspects, Abiola Anabgaifo, 33yrs; Idogo Joshua, 28yrs; Oseni Sani, 22yrs; Aminu Abubakar, 19yrs; Iyamah Precious, 29yrs; Usman Rapheal, 29yrs; Ogene Jude, 31yrs; Ibrahim Akeem, 27yrs; Tunde Bright, 20yrs; Jude Edeh, 21yrs; Godwin Edeh, 19yrs; and Aigbona Clifford, 20yrs, being were arrested on 7th May, 2026 at about 6:00pm after they allegedly mobilized from Okpella to launch attacks on perceived rivals.

“Preliminary investigations, seven of the suspects confessed to being cultists, with some identified as members of the Aye and Vikings confraternity.”

Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response and professionalism of these Officers, stressing that the Command will sustain its crackdown on cultism and violent crimes across the State.

He noted that all suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Cultism unit and will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.

The Command warns all criminal elements to either repent or leave Edo State, as the Command remains fully prepared to deal decisively with anyone threatening the peace and security of residents.

Metro

My Husband Beat Me, Abused Me Verbally — Wife

Published

5 days ago

May 9, 2026

Editor

…I never did such things — Husband

A businesswoman, Patricia Philip, has prayed a Customary Court in Garki, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to dissolve the marriage between her and her husband, Ossai Philip, over alleged molestation.

The petitioner said this in a divorce petition she filed against her husband in court.

“My husband is constantly fighting and molesting me without justification. He beats me often and also uses abusive words on me.

“He reacts aggressively to literally every little provocation,” she said.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), The petitioner said that all the ill treatment had caused her emotional distress and that she feared for her safety.

She told the court that she could no longer cope with her husband’s alleged violent behaviour, which she said, had destroyed her trust and confidence in him.

She also told the court that she feared that continued cohabitation with the respondent may endanger her life and well being.

The respondent, Philip, who is a businessman, denied the allegations.

The presiding judge, Festus Enomhonse, however, adjourned the case.