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Murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwole

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Oluwabamise “Bamise” Ayanwole
Born
Oluwabamise Toyosi Ayanwole

2000
StatusFound deceased
Died2022(2022-00-00) (aged 21–22)
Lagos, Nigeria
Body discoveredMarch 7, 2022
OccupationFashion designer
Parent(s)Joseph Ayanwole
Comfort Ayanwole

Bamise (Oluwabamise) Toyosi Ayanwole was a young Nigerian woman who was abducted after boarding a BRT in Lagos, Nigeria and found dead 9 days later.[1]

Background

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Bamise was 22 years old and the last child of her parents, Joseph and Comfort Ayanwole. She had nine older siblings. She worked as a fashion designer.[2]

Abduction

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On February 26, 2022, After leaving work at Ajah area of Lagos State, Bamise boarded a Bus rapid transit system at Chevron, Lekki heading to Oshodi on the Lagos mainland around 7:30 pm with the intention of going to visit her elder brother's family to spend the weekend.[3] After boarding the bus, the driver flirted with her and told her to sit at the back. At the time, she was the only passenger in the bus and she observed that the interior was dark. She also noticed that at least two other male passengers entered the bus afterwards.[4] The driver did not pick more passengers. There were no CCTV Cameras in the bus. She immediately sent voice notes to her friend via WhatsApp revealing her concerns.[5] She also sent some video recordings of the bus interior with the bus plate number identifier to her friend who advised her to alight as soon as possible at the next bus stop.[6][7] Afterwards further attempts by her friends and relatives to contact her via phone calls were unsuccessful. Prior to this, one of her last recorded conversations with her friend was “.....Please, pray for me.” After several failed attempts to communicate via her phone, the last known sound heard after a caller picked her phone revealed her struggling with an unidentified man. The following day, she was reported missing.[8] On March 7, 2022, her lifeless body was discovered naked near the Carter Bridge on Lagos Island.[9] An eye witness stated that Bamise was still alive after she was thrown out of the BRT bus but she couldn't be treated or rushed to the hospital before she died.[10][11] There are conflicting reports as to whether her corpse was found whole or mutilated.

Arrest, investigations and aftermath

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The driver of the BRT was identified as Andrew Nice Omininikoron. He kept mute after the incident. After Bamise's disappearance was made public, he fled and went into hiding in the neighboring Ogun State.[12] He was tracked down and arrested by the Department of State Security Operatives and handed over to the police for questioning and custody. He initially confessed to raping Bamise and abandoning her but he later changed his story, denying any involvement in her murder.[13][14][15] He later claimed that his bus was hijacked by armed robbers (referring to the men who entered the bus) who also kidnapped Bamise at gunpoint. His claims have been challenged by Bamise's relatives, friends and some Nigerians who suspect foul play.[16][17][18] Accusations of rape and sexual assault have been brought to light by at least two other female victims in similar circumstances.[19][20] He was arrested and to await trial.[21][22] His suspected accomplices are also yet to be identified[23][24] Public protests led to the suspension of BRT Transport operations in Lagos State for some days[25][26] The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu vowed to bring the culprits involved in Bamise's murder to book[27] while the Lagos First Lady condemned the incident and voiced her support for installation of CCTV cameras in all BRT buses in the state.[28][29][30] There has been public outrage regarding the circumstances leading to Bamise's death and demand for justice on her behalf. Many Nigerians have also voiced concerns about BRT passenger safety[31] and criticized inefficiencies in the Nigerian police system noting that quick intervention might have led to rescue her alive before the murder materialized.[8][32]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Lady who went missing after boarding BRT bus is 'found dead with body parts missing'". Linda Ikeji. 7 March 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  2. ^ Ebere Orakpo; Ebun Sessou; Gabriel Olawale. "BRT: It's hard to believe my daughter is dead —Bamise's father". The Vanguard. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  3. ^ "What arrested BRT driver told Bamise before her death –Brother of slain 22-year-old". Punch. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  4. ^ "In Search of Justice for Murdered Bamise". Thisdaylive.
  5. ^ Alexander Okere (March 5, 2022). "Viral voice notes revealed missing BRT passenger struggle with her abductors –Brother". The Punch. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  6. ^ "Slain BRT victim, Bamise's Mum inconsolable, Dad hard to pacify — Brother-in-law".
  7. ^ Godfrey George (March 12, 2022). "Lady that went missing after boarding BRT bus found dead". The Guardian. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "How Lagos Policemen Treated 22-year-old Bamise Ayanwole's Missing Case With Levity – Family". Sahara Reporters. March 8, 2022.
  9. ^ Sadiq Oyeleke (March 7, 2022). "Bamise: Dead Lagos BRT passenger found naked with body parts missing -Relative". The Punch. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  10. ^ "Eyewitness who saw Bamise after she was tossed from BRT bus claims she was still alive but they were discouraged from taking her to the hospital". Linda Ikeji. 7 March 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  11. ^ Odita Sunday (March 9, 2022). "Bamise could have been saved, say security analysts". The Guardian. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  12. ^ Oluwakemi Adelagun (March 8, 2022). "PHOTO STORY: Mother of murdered BRT passenger speaks as sympathisers protest". Premium Times. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  13. ^ "BRT driver changes narrative, confesses to raping Bamise". Sunrise News. March 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  14. ^ "How security operatives arrested BRT driver, by Lagos CP". The Nation.
  15. ^ Bertram Nwannekanma; Eniola Daniel; Waliat Musa (March 9, 2022). "Ayanwole: Family relives deceased's ordeal as LBSL withdraws BRT services". Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  16. ^ "BRT murder: Family challenges police claim on body". The nation.
  17. ^ "Justice must be done on Bamise Ayanwole's case – Speaker Obasa, Lawmakers". March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  18. ^ "Lagos Government Has Compromised Bamise Ayanwole's Murder Probe, Inspector-General Of Police Should Take Over Case – Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  19. ^ "Bamise: Another lady reveals how arrested BRT driver wanted to rape her inside bus". The Punch.
  20. ^ "VIDEO: How arrested BRT driver, raped me inside bus, sent N3000 for painkillers -Lady". The Punch.
  21. ^ "Bamise's Murder: Court Orders Remand Of BRT Driver For 30 Days". Channels Television. March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  22. ^ "Lagos Police Command arrests Fleeing BRT Driver Over Oluwabamise Ayanwole's Death". TVC News.
  23. ^ Oluwakemi Adelagun. "UPDATED: Police arrest driver of BRT bus boarded by lady before death". Premium Times. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  24. ^ "Lagos Governor's Wife Condemns Bamise's Death, Says BRT Vehicles To Have CCTV Cameras". Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  25. ^ "Bamise Ayanwole: Commuters stranded as Lagos govt suspends BRT operations". Premium Times. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  26. ^ "Bamise: Sanwo-Olu slams critics, BRT suspends operations, family demands justice". The Punch. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  27. ^ Bola Badmus (March 8, 2022). "We'll Leave No Stones Unturned In Bringing Justice To BRT Victim, Sanwo-Olu Vows". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  28. ^ "Bamise's Murder: Police Deploy Operatives To Ojota Ahead Of Planned Protest". Channels Television.
  29. ^ "Citizen Oluwabamise Ayanwole and plight of women". Sun News. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  30. ^ "Bamise Ayanwole's Murder: Lagos BRT Vehicles Suspend Operation". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  31. ^ "Why you should not end BRT in Lagos – commuters tell Sanwo-Olu". March 13, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  32. ^ "Slain BRT passenger: Security operatives storm Ojota ahead of planned protest". Punch. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
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