Lagos Female Bus Driver Seeks Justice After Brutal Assault by Suspected Thief She Apprehended [VIDEO]

 

LAGOS, NIGERIA – A female commercial bus driver has taken to social media to demand justice after she was violently assaulted and publicly humiliated by a group of “area boys” in Lagos, following her brave attempt to apprehend a suspected battery thief.

The incident, which has sparked outrage among viewers of the viral video she posted, took place near the Oriental Hotel, a well-known landmark on Lagos Island. According to her account, the driver, whose name has not yet been released, narrated how she picked up a passenger who claimed he was heading to the Nigerian Law School. However, mid-journey, her attention was drawn to suspicious activity through her rear-view mirror.

“I picked this guy from under bridge around Oriental Hotel and he said he was going to Law School,” she said in the emotional video. “Only for me to see him through my rear-view mirror stealing my battery.”

Sensing foul play, she confronted the man immediately. Her courage to speak out and resist what appeared to be a calculated theft would unfortunately lead to a shocking turn of events.

“I told him if this is how he has been stealing batteries from other vehicles, I won’t let him steal mine,” she continued. “Then he started beating me and tore my clothes.”

The situation escalated rapidly as she was allegedly attacked not only by the suspected thief but also by other area boys who descended on her, stripping her partially naked and physically assaulting her in full public view. The event, captured onlookers’ phones and described by eyewitnesses, highlights the dangers women face in male-dominated professions and the deep societal rot tied to gender-based violence and impunity.

In her passionate appeal for justice, the visibly distressed woman called on human rights organizations and concerned Nigerians to intervene on her behalf.

“Please, anyone watching this video should come to my aid. Call human rights agencies,” she pleaded. “He tore my clothes and beat me in public. Nigerians! Is this supposed to happen to a woman for doing a man’s job? Is it because I am a woman?”

The video has since sparked heated debate on social media, with many users expressing solidarity and calling for swift intervention from the police and the Lagos State Government. Several advocacy groups, including women’s rights organizations, have also begun sharing the footage, tagging government officials and the National Human Rights Commission.

“This is not just about battery theft,” said a Twitter user with the handle @JusticeForDrivers. “This is about silencing a woman for stepping into a space traditionally dominated by men. It’s unacceptable.”

So far, the Lagos State Police Command has not released a formal statement regarding the incident, though public pressure is mounting for an investigation and the swift arrest of the perpetrators.

The incident sheds light on the larger issue of gender discrimination in Nigeria’s transport sector, where female drivers often face verbal abuse, physical intimidation, and systemic barriers. It also brings attention to the recurring menace of area boys – street gangs that operate with impunity in many parts of Lagos – often harassing commercial drivers, extorting money, and sometimes engaging in outright criminal activities.

Human rights advocates are urging the Lagos State Government and law enforcement authorities to treat the case with the seriousness it deserves.

“This woman did what many wouldn’t dare – she confronted a criminal,” said Ngozi Oduwole, a Lagos-based legal activist. “For that, she was brutalized. We must not let this go unanswered.”

As the video continues to circulate, many hope that justice will not only be served swiftly, but that her bravery in standing up against crime and oppression will spark broader conversations around gender equity and safety in Nigeria’s public spaces.