Two Wrongs: Mob Burns BRT Bus for Crushing Motorcyclist
Tension erupted at Ogolonto Bus Stop along Ikorodu Road in Lagos State on Friday after an angry mob reportedly set a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus ablaze following a fatal accident involving a commercial motorcyclist.
The mob also attacked the bus driver before security operatives rescued him and ensured he received medical attention.
The Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Amodu Shakiru, confirmed the incident to Saturday PUNCH, saying the agency received a distress call at about 10:21 a.m.
According to him, firefighters arrived at the scene and successfully extinguished the fire that had engulfed the BRT bus.
“The information got to us at about 10:21 hrs, and on arrival at the scene, we met the BRT bus at Ogolonto Bus Stop, along Ikorodu Road, and we were able to douse the fire on the bus.
“It was reported that some aggrieved persons set the bus on fire because of an accident the BRT bus was involved in. The driver was beaten, but he is still alive. He was rescued by security operatives and has received medical attention,” Shakiru said.
He added that he could not provide further details about the accident.
A video circulating on social media showed the BRT bus engulfed in flames as firefighters battled to put out the fire.
An X user, @kinglammyjames, who shared details of the incident, wrote, “Live at OGOLONTO. A bike man was crushed to death by the BRT bus, and in turn, the street boys burned down the BRT bus.”
Another X user, @AkinlabiOlabod1, also reported that residents in the Ogolonto area set the bus ablaze.
The user further claimed that the deceased motorcyclist was a prominent member of the Eiye confraternity in the area. However, the claim could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
The circumstances surrounding the crash, including the identity of the deceased motorcyclist, had yet to be officially confirmed.
Meanwhile, another road accident was reported in the Ogolonto area on Friday.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), in a post on X, said a mini truck loaded with perishable goods had crashed into 2 Toyota Coaster buses at Ogolonto, inward Agric, at about 4:53 p.m.
According to the agency, the crash was reportedly caused by brake failure, but no casualties were recorded.
LASTMA added that the vehicles had been moved to one side of the road while its officials worked to manage traffic and restore the free flow of vehicles in the area.