There is palpable tension and fear of an imminent outbreak of violence and clash among members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)in Lagos, as its Organising Secretary, Toba Ajiboye, popularly known as Ijaya, has reportedly died after he was shot by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in Lagos.
Ajiboye was said to
have come under attack on Sunday night while returning home from his childhood
neighbourhood in Fadeyi.
According to reports,
the assailants intercepted his vehicle around the Ikorodu Road axis and opened
fire, leaving the car riddled with bullet holes.
Photos and videos
circulating on social media after the incident showed his white vehicle with
multiple bullet holes on the windscreen and other parts
of the body.
Initial reports
indicated that Ajiboye and other occupants of the vehicle survived the attack
after sustaining gunshot wounds. However, subsequent reports
claimed that the union
official later died from his injuries.
According to information reaching Lagos Today Extra!, the NURTW scribe
was pronounced dead by medical experts at the St. Nichola Hospital in Lagos
Island Local Government where he was rushed to after the attack.
Confusion however, broke out on Tuesday, around St.
Nichola Hospital between the Police and ardent supporters of the victim, after
transporters prevented security operatives from accessing the medical facility
to recover Ajiboye’s body after he was pronounced dead.
Reacting to the
incident, Lagos NURTW Chairman, Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as
Sego, expressed grief over Ajiboye’s death, describing him
as a loyal ally and
trusted friend.
In a tribute posted on
his Facebook page on Tuesday, Sego said he was devastated by the loss, noting
that Ajiboye’s commitment and dedication to the union
and their political
structure would be greatly missed.
“The news of the sudden
passing of Comrade Toba Ajiboye has left me deeply saddened and heartbroken. It
is difficult to come to terms with the loss of
such a loyal,
dependable, and committed ally,” he wrote.
Sego described the late
union leader as “more than an ally,” saying he remained a pillar of TeamSego
and SegoNation.
“Comrade Toba Ajiboye,
the Organising Secretary of the NURTW Lagos State Council, was more than an
ally; he was a trusted friend, a man of steadfast loyalty
and unwavering
commitment, and a true pillar of TeamSego and SegoNation. His friendship,
unwavering support, and selfless dedication to the union over
the years will forever
remain etched in my heart,” he said.
The NURTW chieftain
also extended his condolences to the deceased’s family, friends and members of
the NURTW.
“My heartfelt
condolences go to his family, friends, and the entire NURTW family. May
Almighty God forgive his shortcomings, grant him eternal rest, and
give us all the
strength and fortitude to bear this painful and irreparable loss,” he added.
Paying his final
respects, Sego said, “Farewell, my dear friend. Your loyalty, friendship, and
unwavering support will forever remain in my heart. You
will be deeply missed,
and I will never forget the bond we shared.”
The
state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident.
She
said, “The incident happened on Sunday, and one person died. He is a member of
the transport union in Lagos. Investigation has commenced, while efforts are
ongoing to apprehend the killers.”
Meanwhile,
a source familiar with the incident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for
security reasons, said Ajiboye had visited the community to meet his childhood
friends as he usually did.
“He
had visited the area on Sunday as he regularly did because that was where he
grew up. He was leaving that evening when some gunmen shot at his vehicle.
“He
was rushed to the hospital, and we believed he was responding to treatment
until we were informed this morning that he didn’t make it,” the source said.
A
member of the union, who identified himself simply as Taofeek, said three other
occupants of the vehicle were also hit by bullets during the attack.
“There
were about three other people in the vehicle. They also sustained gunshot
wounds. Their condition is very serious as we speak. The doctors are battling
to save them. We pray that they survive,” he said.
The
killing has sparked anxiety among residents, who appealed for increased
security to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
However,
reacting to the development, Adebisi said, “There is no panic in the area. The
policemen are on the ground, and more personnel have been added to the team of
policemen in the area.”
According to Adebisi, “Investigation is ongoing to get the perpetrators, the Command has also deployed to strategic locations to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order”.
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