The Lagos State chapter of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has expressed deep sorrow over the murder of 42-year-old e-hailing driver Yusfat Ayinde, who was fatally stabbed by unidentified attackers on Friday.

Confirming the tragic incident on Monday, AUATON chairman Jaiyesinmi Azeez stated that Ayinde was on duty in the evening when he was ambushed.

According to Azeez, Ayinde had accepted a ride request through an e-hailing app and arrived at the pickup location, where a group of hoodlums attacked him. The assailants fatally stabbed him before fleeing with his vehicle.

“Comrade Yusfat Olawale Ayinde was not just a member of our union but also an administrator for a group of professional chauffeurs in the state. His murder was a brutal and senseless attack. Investigations suggest that he was lured into a trap after accepting a ride request, only to be ambushed and killed,” Azeez stated.

Ayinde’s body was later found along Agidingbi Road in Ikeja before being taken to the morgue.

Raising concerns over driver safety, Azeez called for enhanced security measures to protect e-hailing operators. He revealed that the union’s task force had launched an investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding Ayinde’s murder.

“The task force is working closely with the family and relevant authorities to gather evidence, including tracking the app used to book the ride. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the culprits,” he added.

Discussions are also underway to introduce additional safety protocols for e-hailing drivers, such as emergency response systems and increased surveillance in high-risk areas.

AUATON has pledged full support for Ayinde’s family, ensuring they receive necessary assistance while pushing for justice. “We are committed to making sure such tragic incidents are prevented in the future,” Azeez concluded.

In a related development, the Lagos State Police Command recently arrested a 21-year-old US returnee, David Segun, and three accomplices for allegedly killing an Uber driver in Obalende.

According to Commissioner of Police Ishola Olanrewaju, the suspects, including Emeka Akwara (19), Samuel Ariori (21), and Lukman Ariori (19), ordered a ride from Chevron in Lekki to Obalende on January 9. Upon reaching a secluded area, they allegedly robbed and stabbed the driver multiple times in the neck before fleeing.

The Anambra State Police Command, in collaboration with state vigilante operatives, has arrested nine suspects allegedly involved in the murder of Anambra State House of Assembly member, Justice Azuka.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnaghe Itam, confirmed the arrests during a press briefing on Friday. Azuka, who represented Onitsha North Constituency 1, was abducted on December 24, 2024, in Onitsha. His decomposing body was discovered on the 2nd Niger Bridge on Thursday by a joint security team comprising police officers and vigilante personnel.

During the operation, law enforcement officers recovered two pump-action guns from the suspects. One of the suspects sustained a gunshot wound to the leg following an exchange of gunfire with the police.

The arrested individuals have been identified as:

• Ugochukwu Onuorah (30)

• Ikemefuna Ossai (20)

• Ikenna Orugu (27)

• Chibuike Obiefuna (19)

• Chinonso Olisa (19)

• Chinedu Okoli (21)

• David Ojini (25)

• Peter Sunday (20), who was described as the most notorious among them, bearing a tattoo on his chest that reads “No peace 4 d Government.”

Additionally, CP Itam announced the arrest of Chidiebere Nwosu, a suspected kidnapper apprehended in Uruagu, Nnewi. Several of his gang members, who had previously attacked police personnel from the Rapid Response Squad, were neutralized during the operation on October 3, 2024.

The Commissioner further revealed that over 100 notorious criminals had been eliminated, and multiple criminal hideouts across locations such as Ufuma, Eziowelle, Achalla, and Ogbaru had been dismantled.

He expressed his appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his leadership and support. He also thanked Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, other security agencies, the media, civil society groups, and residents for their cooperation in improving security within the state.

Reassuring the public, CP Itam emphasized the police’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, vowing that law enforcement agencies would not take the trust of the people for granted.

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