Armed robbers yesterday in the early hours waylaid passengers around Ubulu-nor along Benin-Asaba Expressway Delta State and stole about N1.2 million from the passengers who were on their way to the Onitsha market.
Reports said that the robbers had blocked part of the expressway around the neither Ubulu-nor community in the early hours when the 18-seater commercial bus with registration number AX 236 AL was said to run into them on its way to Onitsha from Benin City.
Although no life lost, our informed sources said the robbers operated freely for about an hour, armed with sophisticated guns.
LEADERSHIP learnt that most of the passengers were Igbo traders who were on their way to Onitsha market. They were said to have sensed danger when they did not see vehicles going the opposite way and told their driver to stop but he would not listen.
Motorists who ply Benin-Asaba Expressway had in the past complained of police negligence to their duty in favour of extorting motorists.
Police authorities had last December 2011 said there were low incidences of robbery on the Expressway but commuters said their claims? was a ruse adding that Benin-Asaba Expressway portends increase of robbery cases especially at? night fall under the watchful eyes of the police.
When contacted, police spokesman in the state, Charles Muka, said he was yet to get the report. He, however, stated that a Joint Patrol Task Force and the Anti-Robbery squad had been very active over the Yuletide to ensure hitch-free transit for travellers.