A member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), identified as Shamsideen Adio, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly beating a dispatch rider to death following a minor road accident on Lagos Island.
The incident happened on Tapa Street on Wednesday and has since sparked outrage among residents and social media users. Eyewitnesses say the victim, whose identity is yet to be officially released, died from injuries he sustained after being attacked by Adio and some of his colleagues.
According to reports, the confrontation began when the dispatch rider allegedly scratched Adio’s vehicle while trying to navigate the busy street. What started as a heated argument quickly turned violent.
“Shamsideen Adio, a well-known NURTW top official here on Lagos Island, mercilessly beat a dispatch rider for blocking his way.
He didn’t stop there, his friends joined in, beating the man till he collapsed. This is not the first time. Just recently, Adio attacked a tricycle operator and sent him to the hospital.”
“The way these union people operate here is scary. They act like they are above the law. The dispatch rider was just trying to do his job. Now, he’s dead.”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest.
“The suspect has been arrested and has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation. The victim unfortunately died from the injuries he sustained during the attack,” Hundeyin said.
The death of the dispatch rider has raised fresh concerns about the conduct of some NURTW members in Lagos, especially in areas where they wield significant influence over transportation activities.
While the NURTW claims to be a workers’ union protecting the interests of commercial drivers and transport workers, critics have long accused some of its members of violent behaviour, extortion, and harassment of road users.
In recent years, the Lagos State Government has tried to reform the transport union space, even banning NURTW operations in the state at one point in 2022 due to violent clashes and public complaints. However, enforcement has remained a major challenge.
Meanwhile, Adio remains in custody as police continue investigations.
