By Christopher Oji
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has warned members of the public to be wary of the vehicles they board this yuletide, as criminals are on the prowl in the state.
The General Manager, LASTMA, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, gave the warning following the arrest of two suspected abductors operating with a private vehicle and rescue of a female victim yesterday.
Also, two one chance robbers using private vehicles were arrested last Sunday at the Lekki area of the state, while they were forcefully taking money from their victims with a Point of Sale (POS) machine.
The Director, Public Affairs Department, LASTMA, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, said: “On Tuesday, November 29, our men on patrol on the Somolu and Yaba axis arrested another two suspected abductors and rescued a female victim inside their car, around the Presbytarian Church, Yaba.
“Our officers on patrol, with the help of passersby, chased and apprehended a Toyota Corolla saloon car (FST 60 RJ) after a lady at the back seat was heard shouting kidnappers! kidnappers!! kidnappers!!! after the bridge coming towards Yaba from Jibowu.
“The driver with the lady at the front seat were immediately apprehended, while the woman who shouted kidnappers quickly got down and explained that immediately she joined the car from Maryland going to Apapa, a lady beside the driver collected her phone with other valuables and she shouted after noticing that they were ‘one chance’ robbers/kidnappers.
“The arrested driver, who gave his name as Mr. Monday Amhe, confessed during interrogation that he and the arrested lady, simply identified as Joy, were ‘one-chance’ kidnappers.
“Mr Amhe confessed further that they operated by picking passengers along Ikorodu road and robbing them of their valuables before discharging them at any location of their choice. The lady, Joy, confessed that it was Monday Amhe, who introduced her to the business. They were handed over to Sabo Divisional Police Station for further investigations.”
He said the GM, LATSMA, however, cautioned members of the public to be extra vigilant when boarding private or commercial buses. Last Sunday, LATSMA also rescued some passengers from the hands of four commercial bus robbers and arrested two of the hoodlums, while two others escaped.