Osun Police Confirm Shooting of Bus Driver, Rape of Female Passenger by Armed Robbers
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the shooting of a commercial bus driver and the rape of a female passenger during an armed robbery along the Ife-Osu highway. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning, involved an attack on two vehicles by armed robbers.
The acting Police Public Relations Officer for Osun State, Emmanuel Giwa-Alade, stated, “The incident happened. I got a briefing about it not long ago, and we were able to apprehend one suspect. He is helping our investigation.”
According to Giwa-Alade, the robbers shot the bus driver, who survived the attack, and raped a female passenger. He added that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the crime and is currently assisting with the investigation.
A passenger, who requested anonymity for security reasons, recounted the ordeal, explaining that the robbers, numbering about eight, stopped a commercial bus coming from Lagos and a private car. “We were out of Ife but yet to reach Osu community when our vehicles were stopped by the robbers. They were about eight in number and they carried guns,” the passenger said.
The passenger detailed that the bus driver was shot and injured, while a woman in the car was raped. The robbers took money, ATM cards, and forced the passengers to transfer various amounts into their accounts. “They later handed our cards to one of the gang members,” he added.
Some passengers fled into the bush during the commotion. “They told us they informed some people they saw as they were wandering in the area that robbers were operating nearby, and security men were mobilised to the area,” the passenger said.
Shortly after the robbers fled, security forces, including police officers, vigilantes, and members of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service, arrived and began combing the area. “They arrested one of the robbers. The security men took the suspect arrested away,” the witness concluded.
The Osun State Police Command has assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the incident
