For many Lagos residents, boarding a commercial bus or tricycle is an everyday routine. But behind the rush, noise and crowded spaces are increasingly sophisticated tricks allegedly being used by criminals to dispossess unsuspecting commuters of their phones, money and other valuables.
Newsonspot reports that from creating deliberate confusion inside crowded buses to exploiting passengers’ attention, the tactics vary. In one disturbing case, a commuter said he fell asleep shortly after accepting sachet water from a fellow passenger, only to wake up and discover that his valuables had disappeared.
Kazeem Ayinde, a private company employee, was returning home after a hectic day at work when he boarded a commercial vehicle from the CMS loading garage to Iyana-Ipaja.
He paid N2,000 for the journey and settled into his seat, listening to classical music through his AirPods while surfing the internet.
As the vehicle approached the busy Third Mainland Bridge, a passenger sitting beside him by the window brought out three sachets of water, explaining that he had bought them earlier to quench his thirst.
He offered one to Ayinde, who accepted, tore it open and drank from it.
According to Ayinde, less than five minutes later, he dozed off and did not realise when the vehicle eventually arrived at Iyana-Ipaja.
The other passengers had already alighted when the driver and conductor discovered that he was still asleep. They reportedly had to make several attempts to wake him.
When Ayinde eventually regained consciousness, he discovered that his phone, wallet and AirPods were missing.
“I was dumbfounded, thinking the driver and conductor had played a fast one on me. However, they asked if I could recollect anything before I slept and that was when I remembered someone offered me water to drink.
“They laughed and said the person must have spiked the water and carefully stolen the missing items while I slept. They warned me not to ever accept anything from strangers either in the vehicle or anywhere else.
“I felt terribly pained and the conductor had to return my fare out of pity so I can find my way home,” he narrated to NewsClick Nigeria.
While Ayinde suspected that the water may have been tampered with, the circumstances could not independently establish what caused him to fall asleep or who took his belongings.
His experience, however, highlights the vulnerability of commuters who may become distracted or let their guard down while travelling.
When Confusion Becomes a Weapon
Another common tactic described by commuters involves deliberately creating confusion or commotion to distract a potential victim while an accomplice goes through the person’s belongings.
Mrs Ismaila Muji said she experienced such a situation while travelling in a commercial minibus, popularly known as a “Korope”, along the Ikeja-Oshodi road.
She said she boarded the bus at Ikeja Along and sat close to the window, with her phone inside a handbag placed on her lap.
The bus was crowded because of traffic, with passengers struggling for space.
According to Muji, a man sitting beside her suddenly began complaining loudly that someone had stepped on his leg while another passenger behind her repeatedly asked people to shift.
The commotion drew her attention away from her handbag.
“The whole situation became confusing, and my attention went to the people arguing. I noticed the man beside me leaning towards me, but I thought he was only trying to make space.
“I didn’t know he was already getting close to my bag. I only noticed my phone had disappeared after I got down at Oshodi and wanted to make a call.
“I searched my bag several times because I thought maybe I misplaced it. That was when I noticed that my bag zip had been opened,” she said.
Muji said she later suspected that the argument and movement inside the bus may have been deliberately created to distract her while another person gained access to her bag.
The Keke “Tarpaulin” Trick
For Adeola Olatunji, the incident happened inside a tricycle, popularly known as “Keke” or “Maruwa”, while travelling from Ayobo towards Iyana-Ipaja.
Olatunji said she was heading to the market early one Thursday morning to restock her goods when she boarded the tricycle.
A man was already sitting behind the driver when another passenger stopped the Keke and wanted to join them.
She said the man wanted her to sit between the two male passengers, but she refused because she was uncomfortable.
The driver reportedly tried to persuade her before the man eventually sat in the middle.
As the journey continued, the driver suddenly asked Olatunji to help fold up a tarpaulin covering part of the tricycle.
She said the driver repeatedly urged her to use both hands while folding it.
At that point, she remembered that she had a large amount of money in her bag.
“I immediately grabbed my bag, but the man beside me had already dipped his hand inside it. I screamed, and the Keke stopped. They then pushed me out,” she narrated.
The Sudden Push That Cost a Commuter Her Phone
Adenekan Busola said her own experience occurred along the Maryland-Ojota route during evening rush hour.
She had boarded a crowded bus at Maryland Bus Stop when passengers began struggling to adjust themselves as more people entered.
Shortly after the bus started moving, she said someone suddenly pushed her from behind.
Another person immediately apologised, making her assume it was simply the normal movement associated with a crowded commercial bus.
It was only later that she realised her phone was missing.
“After some minutes, I wanted to check my phone, so I opened my handbag. That was when I realised my phone had gone missing,” she said.
According to Busola, the most disturbing part was that it was difficult to identify the person responsible because everyone appeared to be an ordinary passenger.
She advised commuters to keep their bags in front of them, avoid unnecessarily displaying their phones and remain particularly alert whenever someone suddenly creates confusion or unusual movement around them.
The Disappearing Envelope
Mr Alabi also recalled how he lost an envelope containing money while travelling in a tricycle from Ojodu Berger to Omole Estate.
He said he had placed the envelope in his pocket when a man in his 40s appeared to notice it.
According to Alabi, the man later moved closer to him before suddenly leaning out of the Keke and shouting someone’s name as though he had spotted an acquaintance.
At the time, Alabi said he did not realise that the man’s movement could have been intended to distract him.
It was only after he got home that he discovered the money was gone.
“That was how I lost my savings. I cried alone because I could not even explain to anyone at home how I had obtained the money in the first place,” he narrated.
Pickpockets have been using the same old trick for years
Not all the experiences are recent.
Aduragbemi recalled how her elder sister lost her phone during the ASUU strike around 2015/2016 while they were trying to board a bus after school.
She said people were pushing themselves as they attempted to enter the vehicle, creating the perfect opportunity for pickpockets.
“Some guys like that were around. They were pushing my big sister, unknowingly to her, they removed her phone and passed it to themselves,” she recalled.
By the time her sister got into the bus and wanted to bring out money for transport, she discovered that the phone was already missing.
Someone later claimed to have seen a person attempting to put a hand into her pocket.
The incident, she said, demonstrated how quickly valuables can disappear in a crowded environment.
Lagos Crime Challenge
These experiences come amid continuing concerns about crime and security in Lagos, one of Nigeria’s most densely populated states.
The 2026 Nigeria Risk Index reportedly described Lagos as having a complex security profile. Although the state records relatively low deaths linked to violent conflict, its large population contributes to a high number of reported crime victims.
Recent operations by the Lagos State Task Force have also focused on suspected street urchins and “area boys” in parts of the state, including Ikeja, Lagos Island and Lekki.
In January 2026, more than 56 suspects were reportedly arrested during midnight operations aimed at tackling disorder and criminal activities on the mainland.
An article published by Nigeria Housing Market in January 2026 also highlighted population density as an important factor in understanding crime patterns in Lagos.
The author, Akinpelu Babatunde, noted that the state’s huge population, despite its relatively small landmass, creates intense competition for resources and contributes to several social challenges.
Police seek stronger cooperation from residents
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, has urged residents to work more closely with the police to tackle crime and other security challenges across the state.
Tijani made the call during a town hall meeting with personnel of Area N Police Command and other stakeholders.
He particularly stressed the importance of community participation in addressing security challenges in Ikorodu and other parts of Lagos.
According to him, effective policing cannot be achieved without the cooperation, support and timely information provided by residents.
“We encourage stakeholders, particularly community leaders, parents, youths and other residents, to work closely with the police to address emerging security challenges before they escalate.
“Security is a collective responsibility and requires all stakeholders to play their respective roles in creating a peaceful and safe environment,” he said.
The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the police.
He also called on police personnel to remain professional, respect residents’ rights and respond promptly to concerns raised by communities.
For millions of Lagos commuters who depend daily on buses, Keke and other forms of public transportation, the experiences of these residents serve as a reminder that vigilance remains crucial.
In crowded vehicles and busy bus stops, a distraction lasting only a few seconds could be enough for a thief to strike.
