The Organising Secretary of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Toba Ajiboye, has reportedly died after he was attacked by suspected gunmen in Lagos.
Ajiboye was said to have come under attack on Sunday night while returning from Fadeyi, his childhood neighbourhood, in what security sources and witnesses believe was a targeted attack.
According to reports, the attackers intercepted his vehicle along the Ikorodu Road axis before opening fire on the occupants. The vehicle was reportedly sprayed with bullets, leaving its windscreen and several other parts badly damaged.
Photos and videos that later surfaced on social media showed Ajiboye’s white vehicle riddled with bullet holes, highlighting the intensity of the attack.
Initial reports suggested that Ajiboye and other occupants of the vehicle survived the shooting despite sustaining gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
However, fresh reports on Monday indicated that the NURTW official later died from injuries sustained during the attack.
As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement confirming the incident or provide details of any arrests linked to the attack.
It also remained unclear whether the gunmen took away any valuables or whether the attack was connected to Ajiboye’s position in the transport union.
The identities of the attackers and their motive had not been established.
The killing has sent shockwaves through members of the transport union and residents familiar with Ajiboye, who was regarded as one of the prominent officials of the Lagos chapter of the NURTW.
Friends, colleagues and supporters took to social media to express grief over his reported death, describing him as a committed union leader whose loss would be deeply felt.
Many also called on security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation and ensure that those behind the attack are identified and prosecuted.
The NURTW is one of Nigeria’s largest transport unions, with members operating commercial buses, taxis and other forms of public transport across the country.
In Lagos, the union plays a major role in coordinating activities at motor parks and bus terminals and has significant influence within the state’s transport sector.
Over the years, disputes involving transport unions have occasionally resulted in violent clashes, although investigators have not linked Ajiboye’s killing to any union-related disagreement.
The latest incident has also renewed concerns over violent crimes in parts of Lagos, especially attacks involving firearms.
Residents of the Ikorodu Road corridor said they were alarmed by reports of the shooting, describing the area as one of the busiest routes in the state.
Some residents urged the police to strengthen patrols and improve surveillance along major highways to discourage criminal activities.
The incident has also raised fresh concerns about the increasing use of firearms by criminal gangs and the need for intelligence-driven policing to prevent such attacks.
Although investigations are still expected to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the killing, security analysts believe the swift identification and arrest of those responsible will be important in preventing further violence.
The death of Ajiboye is likely to leave a vacuum within the Lagos chapter of the NURTW, where he served as Organising Secretary and was involved in coordinating union activities across the state.
His reported assassination adds to the list of violent attacks involving public figures in recent years, underscoring the need for stronger security measures and effective law enforcement.
As investigations continue, family members, colleagues and members of the transport union are expected to await official confirmation from the police and further details on the circumstances surrounding the attack.