Deaf and dumb bus driver arrested while plying the BRT lane in Lagos

A 33-year-old deaf and dumb commercial driver, Sunday Ogunola was arrested by officials of the Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit with passengers in his bus who were unaware that he was deaf and dumb.

Informatio gathered was that Ogunola, who was driving a Volkswagen Faragon bus popularly called “danfo” painted in Lagos state’s colour with registration, XW 724 EKY, was apprehended for violating a restricting law that prevents both private and commercial vehicles from plying the reserved BRT lane.

The culprit, who is also married to a deaf and dumb expectant mother of two claimed he had been driving since 1999.


 
It was while questioning him, that it was discovered that he was handicapped and could only communicate through writing.

He said he normally plies the Ajah-Lekki-CMS-Eko Hotel route and that he had once been arrested on BRT lane in the past and was let off the hook after he pleaded.

Taskforce Chairman, Bayo Sulaiman said he was shocked that the driver could not hear or speak when asked questions, saying that he constituted serious danger to life and the safety of passengers.

He lamented that despite his predicament, he drove on the BRT lane, which was why he was arrested initially, adding that he has been driving for a long time.

“When we asked him questions, he couldn’t reply us. He cannot even hear or speak, but he can write. We don’t expect him to be driving other people. He cannot even come up with a valid driver’s licence.

“He is liable for his action. He was arrested with passengers in his bus on BRT lane. We are going to look for the owner of the vehicle and charge him to court. We are holding him back here so that we can get the owner of the bus,” Sulaiman said.

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