The management of the Lagos Bus Services Limited, the operator of a bus rapid transit where the slain tailor, Oluwabamise Ayanwola got missing, says it has begun a review of its safety and security procedures.
The operator also promised to implement recommendations made by the authorities to ensure safe operations.
The LBSL Managing Director, Idowu Oguntona, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said members of the public would be sensitised to safety features in BRT buses in the coming weeks.
The statement read in part, “The management of Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL) is deeply saddened by the devastating tragedy which resulted in the demise of Miss. Oluwabamishe Ayanwola, the 22-year-old lady who went missing in transit while on board our bus on 26th February 2022 and was unfortunately found dead by the Lagos Police Command.
“The Management and staff of LBSL acknowledge the emotional trauma of the Ayanwola family at this time and identify with them as mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters ourselves. We condemn this inhuman act in its entirety.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), Mr. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his press release promised that the Lagos State Government will leave no stone unturned in the investigations and everyone found culpable in the kidnap and death of Miss. Oluwabamishe Ayanwola will be made to face justice accordingly.”
The franchise promised to support the deceased’s family and the appropriate authorities to ensure prompt conclusion of investigations and “bring the perpetrator(s) of this evil act to justice.”
It added, “Our customers are at the heart of what we do, therefore at LBSL, we are not unaware of the concerns of Lagosians at this time. In our 3 years of operations, we have maintained an excellent safety record, and this isolated incident notwithstanding, we wish tppo reassure our stakeholders/commuters, that we have already began a review of our safety and security procedures.
“We remain committed to putting in place, any recommendations by the authorities to ensure that our buses remain safe to travel in. Over the course of the next few weeks, we shall engage the public, reminding them of all the safety features in our buses and how to use them.”
Ayanwola was returning to Ota, Ogun State from Ajah and boarded the BRT bus en route to Oshodi around 7pm at Chevron bus stop.
Sensing danger as the bus did not pick any other passenger at subsequent bus stops, she engaged a friend using voice notes on her phone.
Her body was later found on the bridge around Ebute-Ero, Lagos Island, and the fleeing driver arrested.
