‘Two robbers raped me after stopping our bus at Benin’

As many Nigerians defied the fuel scarcity and embarked on journey to the East and other parts of the country, some people have urged the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to deploy more policemen on the roads.

This, they said, was because of increasing robbery cases along interstate routes. They feared that this Yuletide, might witness a lot of robberies on the highways.

Grace, 23, a victim of robbery, said: “The robbers ordered us to lie-face down. They took our money and other valuables. The driver was beaten and a lady was sexually harassed, while I was raped by two young men.”

Grace was recalling her experience, while in the Young Shall Grow Transit bus. She disclosed that the incident occurred on her way to Aba, Abia State in February.

She said: “The robbers attacked us on Benin-Ore Road. They ordered everyone out of the bus. I don't know why they raped me. Maybe it’s because they couldn’t get any money from me. On that fateful day, I had just only N300."

Grace said that it happened when she took a night bus because she wanted to meet up with an appointment at Aba.

According to Grace, most robbers who operate on highways, attacking interstate buses, do so based on information that the bus has passenger or passengers loaded with money.

According to an interstate driver, Femi, bad roads and uncompleted portions of roads, especially along the Lagos-Ibadan axis are areas where robbers usually attack.

He said: “The road is very bad. The civil engineers who are working on that road have stopped working, while potholes along Samagu axis now usually cause traffic. On that same road, drivers had experienced a lot of robberies during this year. These robbers now operate in the afternoon and at night, especially along Sagamu and Ibadan routes. Policemen should either leave there, so the robbers can take over, or they should do their job and stop extorting money from citizens.”

The Manager of G.U.O Company at Jibowu, Lagos, who identified himself simply as Andy, said: “It is the government that has the sole responsibility of safeguarding the lives of people and their property. But since these people are our customers, what we do is that we make sure that our vehicles are in order. We also make sure that our drivers are in good condition, so that the journey would be safe and smooth.

“We don’t allow our drivers to take alcohol, especially when they are about to embark on a journey. The only problem we have is the bad roads and road blocks erected by uniform men. Some of the road blocks are from Customs officials and the police, who are trying to do their normal check up to ensure that people are not travelling with contraband or weapons.”

Andy said that the road, especially from Benin to Asaba, before River Niger Bridge is very bad, causing gridlock.

He said: “We have recorded one case of robbery, leading to rape. It happened last two months at Benin to Ofada area, Omotosho down to Kajola area, Ore area even around Enugu axis. But no lives were lost so far. Armed robberies happen mostly before the season, but during festive period, it is minimal.

“These robbers know that some of these passengers are dignitaries, who travel with armed escorts. The roads are usually busy and robbers can’t always have that chance to operate. Robbers like operations which they wouldn’t be challenged.”

A security official at Peace Mass Transit, Jibowu, Mr Ayodele Samuel, said that robbery was inevitable as long as transportation was concerned.