By John Ikani
The body of the 22-year-old, Bamise Ayanwole, who went missing after boarding a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Lagos State, has been found dead.
Confirming Ayanwole’s death in an emotional-laden voice to newsmen, one of her relatives said: “We are at the morgue. We have confirmed the corpse.”
The deceased boarded the state-owned transport service at Chevron Bus Stop, Lekki, enroute Oshodi around 7pm but never got to her destination.
Her disappearance raised concerns especially as her friend made public their communication when Anyawole entered the bus and expressed fears over the conduct of the driver.
It was learnt that her corpse was dropped on Lagos Island by a BRT vehicle and a jeep.
Upon sighting the corpse by the roadside, an unknown man reportedly informed officials of Ebute Ero Police Station on Saturday evening.
The corpse was later taken to the Mainland Hospital mortuary.
“An autopsy will be carried out to confirm if any part of her body is missing,” the relative disclosed.
How Ayanwole was killed
The deceased boarded the state-owned transport service at Chevron Bus Stop, Lekki, enroute Oshodi around 7pm but never got to her destination.
It was gathered that the victim worked as a Fashion Designer at Chevron Estate, Ajah and spent weekends at Ota, Ogun State, with her sister.
Sensing danger as the bus did not pick any other passenger at subsequent bus stops, Ayanwole had engaged a friend using voice notes on her phone.
The voice notes showed that the bus driver said he liked Ayanwole and asked for her name and other details.
She told her friend to pray for her as she became suspicious of the bus driver and in response, the friend told her to alight at Oworonsoki bus stop — before Oshodi bus stop.
Ayanwole had also sent a video to her friend showing how dark it was in the bus and said, “There are three men and one woman in the bus. The woman is sitting at the back. That’s the number of the bus in case. Please pray for me.’’
That was the last that was heard from Ayanwole, according to her mother.
More details about Ayanwole’s death and Police investigation
According to a Twitter user, Akinwunmi King, Ayanwole brother was at Ebute Ero Police Station where he was shown a picture of the body and he confirmed it was his sister’s.
He also shared screenshot of messages he received, which indicated that Bamise’s private parts were harvested inside the BRT bus before she was tossed out.
The sender claimed her body was seen in their area, Ebute Ero, Lagos Island, near the Oba Palace, adding that some witnesses saw when she was thrown off the bus naked.
“They saw the bus drove away and a jeep follow the bus, according to people she was shouting for help before she gave up. People around report(ed) the case to Ebute Ero Police station,” the message said.
In his further update, King wrote: “Ayanwole brother was at Ebute Ero Police Station this morning to confirm and when he was shown the picture of the body, he affirmed that it was his sister’s. He’s on his way to the mortuary to identify the body.
“The driver is nowhere to be found. The police went to the address he gave, the occupants of the house said he left the house about a year ago.”
Confirming news of her death, police spokesman, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said her body was found on Carter Bridge by Ogogoro Community, Lagos Island.
“The corpse has been deposited at the morgue of the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, for autopsy.
“The bereaved family has been contacted and family members have identified the corpse as that of Oluwabamise Ayanwole, the lady earlier declared missing.
“The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, is saddened by this incident and, therefore, expresses, on behalf of the management, officers and men of the command, his heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family.
“Notwithstanding the death of Ayanwole, the detectives handling the case would not rest on their oars until her killers are found.
“We, therefore, assure the concerned public and the bereaved family that we are closing on on the culprits and we are sure that soon the suspects would be arrested and made to face justice for this murderous act.
“While soliciting the cooperation of all and sundry, we once again appeal to anyone with additional information that could help the police in arresting the suspects to kindly oblige us. Such information, we assure, will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
“The command is ever determined and committed to protection of lives and properties of residents in the state; and has strengthened its security apparatus to prevent a recurrence of this ugly, disturbing incident.”
