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The killing of the Organising Secretary of the Lagos State Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Toba Ajiboye, popularly known as Toba Ijaya, has reignited concerns over violence linked to Nigeria’s transport union, with many Nigerians calling for urgent reforms to end the recurring bloodshed that has tainted parts of the organisation for decades.
Ajiboye died on Tuesday after succumbing to gunshot wounds sustained during an attack by unidentified gunmen on Sunday in the Fadeyi area of Somolu Local Government Area of Lagos State, where he was reportedly returning from a political gathering.
Witnesses said the attackers intercepted the vehicle conveying the union official and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition and, despite efforts by medical personnel to save him, eventually died from his injuries.
The incident has thrown members of the transport union into mourning and heightened tension in parts of Lagos, with residents and stakeholders expressing fears over the circumstances surrounding the killing and its potential security implications.
Although the motive for the attack remains unclear, the Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigations, urging the public to avoid speculation while detectives work to identify the assailants and establish the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting.
Reacting to the development, Chairman of the Lagos State NURTW Council, Mustapha Adio Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, described Ajiboye’s death as a painful loss to the union.
“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 said.
Adekunle also sympathised with Ajiboye’s family, friends and colleagues, describing the deceased as a committed union leader whose contributions to the organisation would not be forgotten, while praying for God to grant him eternal rest.
“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. Rest well, Toba. Until we meet again,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command said it had stepped up security around the Fadeyi area and launched a full-scale investigation into the killing, assuring residents that every available resource was being deployed to track down those responsible.
Police authorities urged members of the public to remain calm and volunteer credible information that could assist investigators, stressing that no effort would be spared in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
The killing has once again brought renewed attention to the long-standing challenge of violence associated with factions of the NURTW, particularly in parts of South-West Nigeria, reigniting public debate over the urgent need for reforms capable of restoring the union’s image and strengthening internal discipline.
For millions of Nigerians who rely daily on commercial transport and appreciate the indispensable role NURTW members play in the management of motor parks across the country, the latest killing raises troubling questions about the recurring violence that has, for decades, overshadowed the union’s legitimate activities and public service.
The union’s National President, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has himself survived violent attacks in the past, with some reports linking those incidents to rivalry within the transport union, although such claims have never been conclusively established by security agencies.
In earlier years, transport union figures such as the late Tokyo and Eleweomo became associated with violent clashes that at different times unsettled Ibadan and other parts of the South-West, reinforcing public concerns over the need for lasting reforms.
Against this backdrop, many Nigerians believe the present leadership of the union has a rare opportunity to chart a different course.
Observers say MC Oluomo should leverage his influence to drive a nationwide reorganisation of the NURTW, promote professionalism and peaceful dispute resolution, and help the union shake off the notoriety that has too often defined sections of its history.
Beyond the calls for reform, there is widespread expectation that security agencies will leave no stone unturned in investigating Ajiboye’s killing, arrest everyone connected with the crime, expose both the sponsors and the motive behind the attack, and ensure that all those found culpable are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Only by delivering justice and pursuing meaningful institutional reforms, many believe, can public confidence be restored and similar tragedies prevented.
