Lagos BRT murder: Bamise’s family cries out, seeks compensation

The family of the late 22-year-old Oluwabamise Ayanwole, who was killed after boarding a Lagos State BRT bus in 2022, on Sunday marked her posthumous birthday with renewed claims that the state government had yet to compensate them.

In 2022, Bamise was declared missing after boarding a BRT at Chevron, Lekki, before her body was found on Carter Bridge.

Her death sparked public outrage as netizens and civil society organisations demanded justice for the deceased.

In May 2025, a Lagos High Court sentenced the BRT driver, Andrew Ominikoron, to death by hanging. The prosecution said Ominikoron had forcibly had sexual intercourse with Oluwabamise Ayanwole before murdering her.

Her elder sister, Damilola, who spoke to our correspondent on Monday, alleged that the state government had abandoned their aged parents despite the conviction of the driver.

She explained that the judgment was incomplete without the government providing compensation to the family, noting that the incident occurred on government property.

She said, “Bamise’s posthumous birthday was on Sunday, and after seven months since the driver was convicted, we did not hear from the state government. We only have judgment, and for justice to be served, they must at least compensate my family. Bamise was killed inside the government’s own property, and a government worker also did the evil to her.”

Damilola lamented that the family had been battling trauma and financial hardship three years after the incident.

She recalled that Bamise had big ambitions before her life was cut short, adding that her late sister also vowed to care for their parents.

“My parents deserve compensation after everything they have suffered emotionally. With the kind of dreams she had, she could have become a great fashion designer by now. Maybe she would have been abroad or even married.

“My parents cried almost every day. Two of my elder sisters now battle high blood pressure. I also had to undergo a brain scan after breaking down from stress,” she lamented.

Damilola, however, urged the state government to fulfil the dreams Bamise could no longer achieve.

Damilola, who makes mannequins, said her business collapsed under the weight of the crisis.

“Like myself here, I produce mannequins, those images that boutiques use in showcasing their goods. But when this incident happened, it affected me to a great extent. I couldn’t continue my production. And before I came back late last year, before the judgment, the market space was overtaken by another person. So, I am finding it difficult to stand back, which is really affecting me, my business, and my family as well,” she said.

She also disclosed that despite the pain her family was going through, her sister’s final moments remained a source of strength.

She said, “For her to see death and still give us clues, fighting to her last breath is what is still holding us together. If she could fight, how much more those of us still alive?”

Damilola faulted the lack of CCTV and emergency systems in the BRT buses at the time, adding that if there had been CCTV on the bus, other accomplices her late sister mentioned would have been exposed.

Although the state government had promised improved safety measures, Damilola said such assurances had not translated into any support for the family.

“They never promised to take care of my parents. They only promised justice, and we appreciate that. But justice is not complete without compensation,” she said.

“Her death deserves a continuation of the struggle. She opened our eyes, and we will keep fighting,” she added.

When contacted on Monday, the Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, said the Ministry of Justice would be consulted to determine if the court had mandated compensation.

“The unfortunate incident was a legal matter handled by the Ministry of Justice. I will need to talk to the Ministry and get information about whether there was a pronouncement for compensation, which wasn’t meant.

“However, the state ensured that the criminal was brought to book, and he was given the sentence of death,” he added.

Punch