The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has successfully arrested the leader of a ‘one-chance’ syndicate responsible for robbing unsuspecting passengers using a commercial bus. The arrest occurred near a filling station on Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere, after the syndicate targeted a female passenger.
Robbery in Broad Daylight
According to a statement from LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, the victim was on her way to work when she boarded the bus and sat beside a man holding a nylon bag on the front seat. Under the pretext of opening the front door, the man leaned against her and skillfully stole her phone from her bag. After the theft, the criminals callously ejected her from the moving vehicle.
LASTMA’s Swift Response
Fortunately, a vigilant team of LASTMA officers, who were monitoring traffic in the area, witnessed the robbery. The officers quickly pursued the fleeing bus, leading to the arrest of the driver. However, the other members of the syndicate— the conductor and another accomplice—managed to escape.
Syndicate’s Daily Operations
The driver of the vehicle confessed that the syndicate was making between N250,000 and N300,000 daily by selling the stolen phones and other valuables. This revelation highlights the extent of the syndicate’s criminal activities, which have been raising concerns in Lagos despite police efforts to deny high crime rates.
Continued Threat of One-Chance Robberies
Incidents of one-chance robberies, where unsuspecting passengers are robbed after boarding commercial buses, have been on the rise in Lagos. Despite the police’s denials of high crime rates, such incidents continue to pose a significant threat to commuters in the city. LASTMA’s intervention in this case serves as a reminder of the need for heightened vigilance and continued efforts to curb such criminal activities.
