Lagos Lawyer Recounts Attack and Robbery by Shuttle Driver in Delta State

A Lagos based lawyer and Notary Public, Ifenyinwa Christopher, has narrated how she was brutally attacked and robbed by a shuttle driver along the Asaba Benin Expressway in Delta State.

Christopher recounted the incident in an exclusive interview, stating that she had travelled to Asaba to attend a burial ceremony scheduled for Saturday.

According to her, the incident occurred on Friday evening after she went out to purchase some items. She said she chartered a shuttle bus around the airport area of the state at about 8 pm, unaware that the driver was armed.

She explained that while the journey was ongoing and they reached the Ogwashi Uku area, the driver suddenly stopped the vehicle, brought out a gun, pointed it at her, and ordered her to surrender all her belongings.

Christopher said the driver physically assaulted her, hitting her repeatedly and forcing her to keep her head down in a dark and deserted area.

She stated that after taking her mobile phone, money, and other valuables, the driver threatened to kill her, boasting that he had killed others in the past. She added that he also bit her eyelids during the attack.

According to the lawyer, she begged the driver to allow her out of the vehicle, but he refused. She then forced the door open and jumped out of the moving vehicle.

She further alleged that upon realising she had jumped out, the driver reversed the vehicle and ran over her twice before driving away.

Christopher said she sustained serious injuries to her back and eyes and managed to crawl into a nearby bush, where she hid until daybreak on Saturday.

She explained that at dawn, she crawled back to the expressway, where she was spotted by villagers and police officers from Akwukwu Igbo, who rescued her and took her to a government hospital in the area.

She added that police officers informed her that they had received several reports of armed robberies involving shuttle drivers along the same route.

The lawyer called on the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Delta State Government to urgently address the worsening security situation along the Asaba Benin Expressway.

She attributed the attack to the lack of traffic lights, police posts, and checkpoints along long stretches of the road, which she said made criminal activities easier.

Christopher also appealed to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, to intervene and ensure that the matter is thoroughly investigated.

When contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said he would look into the incident and provide an update. As of the time of filing this report, no further response had been received.

The Asaba Benin Expressway has in recent times gained notoriety for cases of robbery and kidnapping, raising serious concerns among road users.