En route to Ajah from Law School, a Lagos resident was robbed of her phone in what appeared to be a well orchestrated gang operation. She would go on to lose money and be left helpless by the police and complex court process.

She penned her experience for FIJ.

My name is Pamilerin Shodunke (name changed for victim’s safety). On Wednesday; February 09, 2022 at about 5:10pm, I boarded a white big bus going to Ajah from Law School Bustop; it had a few passengers in it; about 4 at the back, I in front.

On our way, they dropped some passengers off because they told them they were not going to Ajah, so I asked the conductor who I already paid my fare if he was still going to Ajah; he told me not to worry, then I opted to sit in front for comfort’s sake, so I sat close to the door with another passenger, a well-dressed and well-spoken man by my left hand side.

A little into the journey to Ajah, the conductor begged me for #1000 change, I told him I didn’t have but he insisted and begged that I opened my bag and check, so I did just that and handed it over to him. He didn’t collect it on time then he was verbally asking but not reaching for the cash.

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He collected it and then said my door was not locking well; he started banging it, door didn’t close. The man sitting beside me in front was also helping me close the door while the driver kept shouting that I should hold the door with one hand; the door banging efforts of the conductor distracted. me

I held the door with one hand, while I used the other hand to grip something up so I don’t fall off the bus, while the man beside me was helping to close the door; I did not realize that he used that to block and distract me while someone or he himself used his left hand to pick my phone. I didn’t realize that my phone was already missing. I was busy telling the driver to park at the next bus stop so that I could sit at the back.

They stopped at the next bus stop and dropped me off, saying they were no longer going to Ajah, so I was dropped at Lekki bus stop and they returned my transport fare to me, I felt relieved and joined another bus, not knowing that I had been robbed. Other valuables like money and laptop was in the bag but they only took the phone.

When I got home and could not find my phone, I did not think towards those guys; I thought I forgot my phone at work. So I slept thinking my phone was at work. When I got to work the next day, my colleague tried calling my number , it rang but the phone was not in the office. Subsequent attempts to call my phone, my number was no longer existing.

I was advised to immediately block the SIM card, I called MTN, they said they had network issues, I should go to their office. I went to the bank, GTB, because I had my GTB ATM card just in the phone pouch; my bank account had been cleared. All my funds gone!

I visited First Bank where I had another account; they had already gained access and had taken over the #100,000, I asked the bank to immediately freeze my First Bank Account, I had just #50,000 left.

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Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and First Bank had no other help to offer so I could retrieve my funds. However my statement of Accounts revealed that my stolen fund was transferred to this bank account details Israel Ojajuli 3099113166 Polaris Bank. I can’t say for sure that this person was also a victim or the robber.

I reported the incident to Maroko Police Station, New Market Road, Lekki, I was asked to pay #20,000 because I requested for a police report. No extra help or an attempt to investigate the matter was made. The banks are asking for a court order to recall my stolen funds; a court order involves a minimum of 4 weeks court processes with even more costs, eventually, I will be spending more than what I lost.

I also could not retrieve my lost SIM Cards(Airtel and MTN) due to the NIMC website that was hacked. I could only block the SIM cards but the harm was already done on my bank accounts.

This is my story and I hope other Lagos residents learn from my bitter experience.

In June 2021, FIJ ran a report on how a woman was robbed of her phones in similar fashion.