Many Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) commuters were stranded at various bus stations in Laos on Tuesday due to the state directive to suspend operation in sympathy over the death of Bamise Ayanwole.
A BRT passenger, Innocent Kanu, said he waited for BRT at Iyana-Ipaja for three hours, saying that he had to enter other commercial bus at exorbitant price.
He said that a daily trip which usually cost N1, 200 from Iyana Ipaja to and from now cost him N3,200 due to the absence of BRT buses.
โI entered N1,000 from Iyana-Ipaja to Oshodi and I took another bus to Ojuelegba for N300 and enter the last bus going to CMS for N300 at Ojuelegba.
Another passenger, Lara Badmus, a former Banker now selling jewelries at Dosumu in Lagos, said she spent N1,500 from Igbogbo in Ikorodu to Dosumu market in Lagos.
A staffer of an insurance company in Costain, Benjamin Ajayi, said getting to work was so hectic and expensive compared to other days because once BRT shuns operations other transporters extort passengers.
Mr Ajayi sympathised with the families of the deceased and prayed for the Lagos State Government to get justice for the dead victim as soon as possible.
A phone repairer at Computer Village in Ikeja, Chidi Tobechukwu, said he spent N700 from Iyana-Ipaja to Ikeja as a result of absence of BRT operations in Lagos.
The Public Affairs Officer of Primero, Mutiu Yekeen, told newsmen that the directive to stop operations came from Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu.
Mr Yekeen said that the protest to mourn the death of Ms Ayanwole led to the governorโs directive for all BRT buses.
Miss Ayanwole, 22, who got missing after boarding a Lagos Bus Rapid Transit vehicle and corpse was reportedly found with some body parts missing.
One of Miss Ayanwoleโs relatives made the claim on Monday, saying that they are awaiting the outcome of an autopsy.
It was also reports that many students of public schools who usually enjoy free BRT bus rides were stranded at various BRT stations in Lagos.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command has denied reports that 22-year-old Miss Oluwabamise Ayanwole was mutilated.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police Abiodun Alabi made this known while briefing newsmen on Tuesday.
He said an autopsy will be conducted on the deceased to ascertain if she was raped.
Alabi said, โNo part of her body was mutilated and we cannot ascertain if she was raped. An autopsy will reveal that after post mortem examination.โ
He further said the driver of the BRT was arrested with the person presumed to be harbouring him.
โHe ran to that personโs house. The person was not part of the dastardly act. We have interrogated him and he said the man was not on that bus that day.โ he added.
