PANIC AS SLAIN LAGOS NURTW CHIEFTAIN’S DEATH TRIGGERS HEAVY SECURITY DEPLOYMENT
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Panic gripped residents of Mushin, Onipanu, Fadeyi, Jibowu and Ojuelegba in Lagos State on Tuesday evening following the death of the Lagos State Council Organising Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Toba Ajiboye, popularly known as Ijaya.
The incident prompted businesses to close early, streets to empty and security operatives to intensify patrols amid fears of possible reprisal attacks by the deceased’s loyalists.
Ajiboye reportedly died at an undisclosed hospital where he had been receiving treatment after gunmen attacked him on Sunday night while he was returning home from his childhood neighbourhood in Fadeyi.
According to reports, the assailants intercepted his vehicle along the Ikorodu Road axis and opened fire, leaving the vehicle riddled with bullet holes.
Following news of his death, the Lagos State Police Command deployed patrol teams to strategic locations across the affected communities to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Police patrol vans were stationed around Ojuelegba, Jibowu and Fadeyi, while businesses on Kayode Street, off Onipanu Bus Stop in Mushin, shut down as early as 8:20 p.m. A nearby filling station also suspended operations.
The situation also disrupted transportation, leaving many commuters stranded at Ojuelegba as commercial bus operators avoided routes through Mushin over security concerns.
A shop owner, who identified herself simply as Ronke, said traders closed their businesses after receiving warnings about possible unrest.
“I was in my shop when one man came to tell me to close early. He said they had killed an NURTW official, Toba Ijaya, and because of that, area boys could take the law into their hands and cause trouble. I started closing around past 7 p.m. Immediately after I heard the information, I saw police vans patrolling the area,” she said.
Another resident, Demola, confirmed the early closure of shops and the presence of security personnel.
“Yes, they mounted that Fadeyi side. Shop owners had to close because anything can happen,” he said.
Although efforts to reach the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful, the command assured residents through a separate statement that security personnel had been deployed across strategic locations while investigations into the killing continued.
“The 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,” the police said.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Lagos State NURTW, Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, described Ajiboye’s death as a painful loss.
In a tribute posted on his Facebook page, Sego described the late union official as a trusted friend, loyal ally and committed member of the union.
“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 wrote.
He extended his condolences to the deceased’s family, friends and members of the union, praying for the repose of his soul and strength for those mourning his death.
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