UPDATE: BRT buses withdraw from Lagos roads

Following soldiers’ attacks on some of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses, the Lagos State Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) have pulled the buses off the roads.The action was taken by LAMATA after eight among hundreds of the BRT buses were burnt by a group of soldiers after a soldier was allegedly killed by a BRT […]

Following soldiers’ attacks on some of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses, the Lagos State Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) have pulled the buses off the roads.
The action was taken by LAMATA after eight among hundreds of the BRT buses were burnt by a group of soldiers after a soldier was allegedly killed by a BRT bus on Lagos-Ikorodu road earlier today.
Our correspondent attempt to get reaction of LAMATA’s Managing Director, Dr. Dayo Mobereola on the issue was unsuccessful as he was said not to be around. An official of the agency who said he is not competent to speak with the press noted that the withdrawal was to prevent further loss after some of the buses were burnt by the angry soldiers.
Monitoring of the BRT route on Lagos-Ikorodu road after the angry soldiers have returned to their barrack shows that the buses, including the state government owned LAGBus have been withdrawn from the road as at time of filling this report.
Visit to the BRT garage beside the flyover at Ketu, near Ojota, confirmed the fear that BRT might have withdrawn from Lagos roads as the garage is filled to the entrance gate.
Meanwhile, the withdrawal of the buses has created problems for thousands of passengers who had queued up along the bus routes. Students, workers and traders who are returning home after the days work were seen waiting endlessly for these buses.

Earlier…
Thousands of Lagosians today got stranded following the sudden shortage of mass transit BRT buses after a group of  soldiers went on  rampage along the ever busy Ikorodu Road, vandalising and burning BRT buses. 

The soldiers decided to take the law into their hands after a BRT bus allegedly crushed one of their own at Palmgrove Bus Stop. As a result, there was traffic hold up for hours and commuters were stranded, waiting endlessly for non-available buses. 

Investigations by Daily Trust revealed that the ugly incident occurred a little after 9.00am at Palmgrove bus stop inward Anthony village. A BRT bus was said to have run over a soldier who was riding a motorbike with his colleague on the back seat and immediately crushed him to death.

It was learnt that the second soldier left the scene only to go and mobilise some soldiers from nearby Army Barrack  and they immediately swung into action, taking laws into their hands by vandalising BRT buses and beating anyone they found around. 

Eye witness said as soon as the soldiers got to the scene of the accident, there was pandemonium; residents and commuters ran away for safety. The soldiers blocked the highway on both sides causing extreme traffic gridlock, while some people leaving their cars and taking to their heels. They  got hold on BRT buses, vandalised them and set them ablaze.

Policemen and LASTMA men around could do nothing as they also ran for cover. They could not confront the irate soldiers who were well armed and ready to kill. LASTMA men have to remove their uniforms and disguised themselves so as not to be attacked by soldiers.

Drivers and passengers on BRT buses that later arrived the scene after  the angry  soldiers had unleashed mayhem were driven out of the bus before the soldiers embark on destruction of the buses. Passengers  have to abandoned their bus and ran for their lives. 

The area was deserted throughout the time the angry soldiers occupied the section of the highway. While they took over the place,  traffic was at a standstill while commercial buses coming from Ojota refused to pick passengers to Yaba which was their route.  They deliberately  avoided Ikorodu road to avoid been attack by the soldiers.  Eye witnesses confirmed that the angry soldiers  beats up whoever they see on sight. They also  beat  anyone who moved closer to take their pictures.

However, a LASTMA official who claimed to be around when the accident that killed a soldier happened explained that there was a broken down vehicle on BRT lane between Palmgrove and Anthony bus stop along the route. 

The LASTMA personnel who craved for anonymity said two soldiers were riding on a motorcycle at high speed and they rammed on to the stationary BRT bus while the rider died instantly adding that his passenger went to mobilise other soldiers that  took to the street and pounced on the people.

Responding to the incident, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr.  Lateef Ibirogba said  it was sad that the soldiers invaded the expressway and unleash mayhem on the people. 

According to him, the state government has reached out to the military authority and had reported the matter. He said the authority had assured that the situation will be put under control.

He said, “I can only advise the public to avoid Ikorodu Road for now. The military authority has assured us that in no time, everything will be under control. The public should bear with us as we did not plan for this.”

However, it was gathered that the Commanding Officer of the area later visited the scene and was able to placate the soldiers to withdraw from the road. 

Another eye witness, Mrs. Wunmi Bakare  said she saw eight BRT buses that was set ablaze  by the angry soldiers. She described the situation as shameful  and adding to the sufferings of ordinary Lagosians who used to suffer to get buses to and from work on daily basis. 

As at the time of filling this report, there were no BRT buses on Ikorodu Road as they have gone to park the vehicles to avoid being burnt by the soldiers.

BRT buses withdraw from Lagos roads

From Femi Akinola, Lagos

Following soldiers’ attacks on some of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses, the Lagos State Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) have pulled the buses off the roads.

The action was taken by LAMATA after eight among hundreds of the BRT buses were burnt by a group of soldiers after a soldier was allegedly killed by a BRT bus on Lagos-Ikorodu road earlier today.

Our correspondent attempt to get reaction of LAMATA’s Managing Director, Dr. Dayo Mobereola on the issue was unsuccessful as he was said not to be around. An official of the agency who said he is not competent to speak with the press noted that the withdrawal was to prevent further loss after some of the buses were burnt by the angry soldiers.

Monitoring of the BRT route on Lagos-Ikorodu road after the angry soldiers have returned to their barrack shows that the buses, including the state government owned LAGBus have been withdrawn from the road as at time of filling this report.

Visit to the BRT garage beside the flyover at Ketu, near Ojota, confirmed the fear that BRT might have withdrawn from Lagos roads as the garage is filled to the entrance gate.

Meanwhile, the withdrawal of the buses has created problems for thousands of passengers who had queued up along the bus routes. Students, workers and traders who are returning home after the days work were seen waiting endlessly for these buses.