The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a senior official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in connection with the death of a resident during a violent clash earlier this week. The incident, which occurred in the Ijesha area on Tuesday, has stirred widespread outrage and renewed fears about the persistent violence linked to transport union disputes in Lagos.
How the Clash Unfolded
Eyewitnesses reported that the violence erupted after a dispute over ticketing rights and territorial control between rival transport union members. Armed men allegedly attacked residents in the process, leaving 28-year-old Adewale Ogunleye fatally injured. Family members later confirmed his identity.
Police Confirm Detention
Police spokesperson SP Benjamin Hundeyin said the detained union leader was linked to the incident through intelligence reports. He has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for further interrogation.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed that this case must be thoroughly investigated without fear or favor. Our preliminary findings indicate the suspect played a role in triggering the violence that led to the loss of life. Lagosians should rest assured that justice will be served,” Hundeyin told reporters.
The police also confirmed that five additional suspects have been arrested, while weapons such as machetes, sticks, and locally made guns were recovered during raids.
Family Demands Justice
The deceased’s family has cried out for justice, describing Adewale as a hardworking man who was not involved in the conflict. His elder brother, Segun, explained that Adewale was returning home from his night shift when he was caught in the chaos.
“My brother was not a union member. He was only an innocent passerby. Now our family has lost its breadwinner, and my widowed mother and younger siblings are left stranded. We demand that those behind his death face the law,” Segun said in tears.
Community Leaders Raise Alarm
Community leaders and residents condemned the frequent clashes linked to the NURTW, describing the group as lawless and dangerous.
Chief Adekunle Ajayi, a respected elder in the area, urged the government to act decisively:
“For too long, communities have been at the mercy of violent transport unions. Today it was Adewale; tomorrow it could be another innocent victim. The government must intervene before more lives are wasted.”
Local traders also recounted how businesses were forced to shut down during the clash. “The whole area was like a war zone. We couldn’t even open our shops,” one trader, Mrs. Olayinka, lamented.
NURTW Reacts
In a statement, the Lagos State chapter of the NURTW distanced itself from the detained leader, insisting he acted independently and not on behalf of the union.
“The Lagos State Council of NURTW regrets the tragic incident and sympathizes with the bereaved family. Our union does not promote violence, and any member found guilty must face the full weight of the law,” the statement read.
However, critics argue that the union has consistently failed to control its members, with violent clashes repeatedly erupting across Lagos. Human rights groups have called for the restructuring—or outright ban—of the NURTW.
Calls for Reform
Experts warn that the recurring bloodshed is rooted in the huge economic stakes involved in controlling motor parks and the informal ticketing system, which generates billions of naira yearly.
Dr. Oladipo Adebayo, a sociologist at the University of Lagos, noted:
“As long as revenue collection remains informal and unregulated, violent struggles for control will persist. Arrests alone cannot solve the problem; structural reforms are urgently needed.”
Public Outcry
The tragedy has sparked fresh demands for reform of Lagos’ transport sector. On social media, the hashtag #JusticeForAdewale is trending, with many Lagosians demanding accountability and safer streets. Advocacy groups are also planning public demonstrations to pressure the government into stronger action.
What Lies Ahead
The police have pledged to prosecute those responsible once investigations are complete. While the arrests have offered some reassurance, many residents insist that long-term reforms—not just police crackdowns—are necessary to end the cycle of violence.
For now, the Ogunleye family and their community mourn the needless loss of a young man whose death has once again exposed the dangers of unchecked transport union violence in Lagos.
