A commercial bus driver was lynched to death by a mob for allegedly stabbing a passenger to death over N50 disagreement on Tuesday.
The unidentified driver allegedly hit the passenger with a spanner before stabbing with a knife on his stomach.
The unfortunate incident happened at Five Star bus stop, along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos.
The Nation reports that said passenger alighted from the bus and requested his N50 change but the conductor said he did not have change.
It was gathered that the driver made to move the bus when the passenger dragged the conductor from the bus which led to a heated argument.
However, another eyewitness reportedly said that the driver had picked passengers from Ikotun en-route Oshodi but refused to proceed when he got to Aswani.
He was said to have told the passengers he could not continue the journey and offered to refund N50 from the amount collected.
This led to an argument between the driver and the passengers.
It was gathered that as soon as the driver stabbed one of the passengers, he sped off but was caught up at Five Star by a mob that chased the bus on a motorcycle.
“The conductor fled because he ran across the expressway to the other side and mingled with the crowd,” said a witness.
Confirming the incident, police spokesman Chike Oti, said several people have been arrested and investigations were ongoing.
Oti confirmed that police patrol vehicle was vandalized and three cops sustained injuries while trying to rescue the victims.
“The police rescued the conductor from near death. From his account, trouble started after the driver told passengers he could not proceed to Oshodi. He said the driver appealed to the passengers and offered to refund some of their fare but some of the passengers turned down the offer.
“An argument soon led to a fight and in the process, hoodlums hijacked the situation. They set the driver and conductor ablaze. The driver was badly burnt as of the time they were rescued. He was rushed to LUTH where he was confirmed dead.
“We have made a number of arrests and investigation is ongoing. It is true that the police suffered a lot while trying to rescue the victims. About three policemen sustained injuries and their vehicle windscreen was shattered.
“We do not have any report that someone was stabbed to death or even stabbed. Although the conductor said his driver used a knife to defend himself at a point, no one has come forward to report a death or injury arising from stabbing in that axis.
“The command frowns at jungle justice. Lagosians have been warned to desist from such practices.
“Why should anyone set another human being ablaze and then prevent officials of government from rescuing the victims?
“The hoodlums practically prevented the police and fire service from proceeding to the location in order to douse the flame,” Oti said.