Crime

See the Numbers of Passengers Raped, Driver Shot, Others Assaulted in Osun Highway Robbery

Published by admin on September 5th, 2024.

See the Numbers of Passengers Raped, Driver Shot, Others Assaulted in Osun Highway Robbery

Gunmen

Armed robbers have attacked two vehicles traveling on the Ife/Osu highway in Osun State, resulting in the shooting of a driver and the sexual assault of a female passenger.

According to an anonymous passenger who spoke to PUNCH Metro on Thursday, the incident occurred early Wednesday morning between the Ife and Osu communities.

The robbers, estimated to number around eight and armed with guns, intercepted a commercial bus and a private car coming from Lagos. They ordered all passengers to exit the vehicles and proceeded to steal money and ATM cards from them.

The source reported, “We were still between Ife and Osu when the robbers stopped us. They were heavily armed. The driver of our bus was shot but survived, though he was injured. They also raped a woman from the private car. We were forced to transfer money to their accounts, and then they returned our ATM cards to one of their members. Some passengers managed to escape into the bush and later alerted nearby residents about the robbery, prompting a security response.”

Shortly after the robbers fled, security personnel, including police officers, vigilante members, and Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service members, arrived at the scene and began searching the area. They succeeded in arresting one suspect, who is now assisting with the investigation.

Osun Acting Police Public Relations Officer Emmanuel Giwa-Alade confirmed the incident and the arrest. “We have apprehended one suspect in connection with this crime, and he is currently aiding our investigation,” Giwa-Alade stated.