Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday denied allegations that the state government was planning to sweep the death of Oluwabamise Ayanwole under the carpet.
Ms Ayanwole, 22, went missing on February 26 after boarding a bus rapid transit (BRT) vehicle. She was later found dead.
Speaking with reporters during an event at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan to commemorate International Women’s Day, Mr Sanwo-Olu assured that the circumstances surrounding Ayanwole’s death would be unravelled.
“The development has been condemned at the highest level of the government. I personally stand to condemn it and offer condolences to the family of our citizen, Oluwabamishe,” he said.
“I have read some narratives and write-ups in the social media in the last few hours. Some people are deliberately and extremely being sensational, posting that Lagos State Government wants to cover something; even my person. These people trivialise life, which appears to me like they just want to score a cheap point. These people are of low minds and have no conscience.
“Our Government will certainly not be deterred with such wicked narratives. What we are about is to ensure that we transparently get to the roots of the matter…”
The governor also reacted to some of the concerns raised by the public on safety measures put in place before the incident, especially on absence of short-circuit cameras in BRT buses.
He said there were inbuilt cameras and trackers in buses procured abroad for BRT operations. But those acquired locally to shore up the BRT fleet did not have cameras, the governor said, pointing out that the particular bus in which the slain victim rode was one of the buses locally supplied.
Sanwo-Olu promised that safety measures on government-owned buses would be improved upon in order to prevent recurrence of similar incident. He, however, cautioned members of the public not to board BRT buses after the close of bus services in the evening, noting that buses that have closed for the day would indicate by switching off its inner lights.
When BRT drivers switch off their inner lights, Sanwo-Olu said the buses were expected to be taken back empty to their yards.
