Bamise Won’t Die in Vain. I Believe!

The mindless killing of Miss Bamise Ayanwole on a major means of public transportation in Lagos State, is a cause for concern. I can’t recall, even as an adult, if any cagey murder had been cracked by any of Nigeria’s security agencies, lately.

Even when suspects initially confessed to certain crimes, the narrative often changed, no doubt with the help of the security agencies investigating the cases. It appears more like a Nigerian thing.

But, Bamise’s killing cannot go the way of the others. First, that an innocent, hardworking, law-abiding resident of the state, left for work and was hacked to death on her way back home by some pathetic, psychotic individual under whatever guise, is not acceptable.

The right to life is given – naturally and constitutionally – and whoever tampers with that right must pay in equal proportion.

With a responsive and responsible government in place, citizens can afford to take their security for granted. Who leaves their house everyday worried they might not return, because their city is not safe?

That’s utterly unacceptable. And for that reason, Bamise’s killing must be thoroughly investigated and the criminal, who is not hard to find in this case, must pay for his premeditated sin.

Now, this is even more instructive. Aren’t we talking about death on a BRT? It would completely erode every form of confidence in everything that has the signature of government on it if this murder is bungled.

This is more so that an efficient public transportation system is a critical need of a mega city like Lagos, an idea the state government had over the years invested hugely into, just so Lagos boasts its natural mega city status and pride of place.

However, it is encouraging that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has begun to live up to expectations as far as this matter is concerned. In fact, he’s truly left no stone unturned.

His immediate response and reaction to the development are noteworthy. His assurances too can be taken to the bank. Sanwo-Olu isn’t stupid. He has done the analysis and knows the implications if this is bungled.

Let’s even do some musings. How more important is a culpable BRT driver to the governor than the image of the state he labours every day to keep safe and sane? This is why insinuations from certain quarters that, there were attempts to cover up the murder are rather sad.

But when you look at those propounding such unfounded theories of lies, which existed only in their warped imaginations, you’d walk away curious about their mental stability.

It is not only too early to start insinuating coverup, when it was this same government that ensured the driver in question was apprehended in less than 48 hours, after the body of Bamise was recovered; it is even the more premature to be considering a protest and by such indiscretion, throw the state into another crisis, which from all indications, you can’t handle let alone manage.

I would rather take the governor for his words. I would see Bamise in the mould of one of his kids. I would think that the image and security of Lagos is everything to him. I would think the safety and security of everyone living in Lagos supersede all other considerations. I would think, from my reading of him, that the governor is a fair-minded individual and would not allow for this to be bungled.

After all, the investigations into Bamise’s murder has started well. The governor has allegedly deployed some of the best hands in the security quarters to the assignment. He has given them a clear mandate and all he craves is justice for Bamise, just like you and I. Unravelling Bamise’s murder, in case you do not know, is very important to the governor and the state, because Eko o gbo’do baje.

The jury is still out though, and all eyes are on the security agencies as they continue with their investigations. Importantly, however, let’s all allow them do their job, while the publicity-seeking lawyers, activists, protesters and public commentators stay away for now and embrace circumspection. Everyone is pained by Bamise’s gruesome murder and for sure, she would not die in vain. I believe!

Olawale Olaleye