Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, said it received with shock and trepidation the killing of a 22-year-old lady, Miss Oluwabamise Ayanwole.
Bamise, a 22-year-old fashion designer, got missing after boarding a Lagos Bus Rapid Transit vehicle.
According to reports, Bamise got missing while returning to Ota from Ajah on Saturday, February 26 when she boarded a BRT bus with plate number 240257 going to Oshodi at about 7 pm at Chevron Bus-Stop.
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HURIWA said what this incident has shown is the legal liability of the Lagos state government, adding that the bus and the facility where she was kidnapped belong to the state and its Chief Executive Officer, the governor, in the person of Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
HURIWA said for this reason the government of Lagos State and the governor must take direct responsibility for what has happened.
Whereas HURIWA applauded the state government and police command for swiftly arresting the suspected killer of miss Oluwabamise, the group still feel that the incident is totally avoidable if the state had done forensic background check of all the drivers and other staff employed in their transport company.
“The Lagos State government owes the citizens the duty of care and the obligations to ensure that they are safe whilst using the services provided for by the government and paid for by the citizens,” the group said in a statement signed by Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, it national coordinator.
“So, since the Lagos State government employed a ritual killer as a driver, they should be held responsible for the death of this innocent girl.
“Finally, the Lagos State government is advised to pay the sum of N1 billion Naira to the family of the victim to avoid lengthy litigation.
“Lastly the Lagos state government should undertake a comprehensive background assessment of all the drivers to be sure there are no other ritual killers embedded in the Lagos state transport services.”
(DAILYPOST)