The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has arrested a notorious “One-Chance” syndicate that used a painted commercial bus (KSF 56 XL) to rob passengers of their belongings.

The arrest occurred near a Conoil filling station on Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere, after a female passenger, Miss Bibian Emelifonwu, fell victim to the group on her way to work.

Miss Emelifonwu recounted that she boarded the bus and sat next to a man in the front seat. Under the guise of adjusting the door, the man leaned towards her and stole her phone from her bag. After committing the theft, the group cruelly pushed her out of the moving vehicle. Fortunately, LASTMA officers who witnessed the incident gave chase, intercepting the bus and arresting the driver, identified as Toyib Ogunjobi.

However, his accomplices, including the conductor and another passenger, escaped.

During interrogation, Ogunjobi confessed to leading a three-man team, including the bus owner. He admitted they targeted passengers with low fares on the Costain-Ojota route, r%bbed them, and forcefully ejected them from the vehicle.

Ogunjobi said they earned ₦250,000 to ₦300,000 daily by selling stolen items. Seven phones were recovered from him during his arrest.