RAMPAG ING robbers yesterday, at Ojota area of Lagos, killed at least eight passengers of a luxury bus and set the driver and the bus ablaze. Several other passengers were severely injured while goods, most of which were fabrics worth several millions of naira, being brought for sale in Lagos markets, were destroyed.
It could not be ascertained where the luxury bus said to have arrived Lagos at about 4a.m. was coming from. The robbers who were heavily armed chased the bus over a long distance, firing warning shots in an attempt to force the driver to a stop. One of the bullets hit the driver on the forehead, following which he lost control. The bus then came to a halt on the bridge linking Ojota and Maryland on the Ikorodu expressway.
Sources said the bandits numbering over 10, thereafter entered the bus and shot dead the two police escorts and another male passenger. About four other passengers said to have been hit by the robbers� bullets during the chase also died on the spot.
The robbers then proceeded to dispossess the passengers, one after the other, of cash, GSM handsets and other valuables before setting the luxury bus ablaze with the driver inside. The luxury bus and another bus were burnt beyond recognition.
Contacted, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Olubode Ojajuni, said the police were investigating the matter.