Panic gripped residents of Mushin, Onipanu, Fadeyi, Jibowu and Ojuelegba in Lagos State on Tuesday evening as businesses shut early and streets emptied following the alleged assassination of the National Union of Road Transport Workers’ Lagos State Council Organising Secretary, Toba Ajiboye, popularly known as Ijaya.
Metro Punch reported that Ijaya passed away at an undisclosed hospital, where doctors battled to save his life following an attack by gunmen on Sunday night while returning home from his childhood neighbourhood in Fadeyi.
According to reports, the assailants intercepted his vehicle around the Ikorodu Road axis and opened fire, leaving the car riddled with bullet holes.
However, the news of his demise has since caused panic and fears of possible reprisal attacks by his loyalists in the aforementioned areas, as the Lagos State Police Command deployed patrol vans at strategic points in the areas.
Our correspondent observed at least six police patrol vans stationed around Ojuelegba, Jibowu and Fadeyi. At the same time, businesses on Kayode Street, off the Onipanu bus stop in Mushin, had shut by about 8:20 p.m. The Conoil filling station, located close to the bus stop, was also closed.
Commuters were left stranded at the Ojuelegba bus stop as fewer commercial buses operated on the route. Several commercial bus drivers reportedly avoided the Mushin area for fear of a breakdown in law and order.
Confirming the development, a shopwoner simply identified as Ronke said, “I was in my shop when one man came to tell me to close early. He said they’ve killed an NURTW official, Tobi Ijaya, and because of that, area boys can take the law into their hands and cause trouble. I started closing around past 7.
“I also noticed that people closed early, including those who usually sell till around past 11, everyone started closing around past 7. However, immediately after I heard the information, I saw police vans parading.”
A resident identified as Demola also confirmed the development to our correspondent, stressing that shopowners had to close early because “anything can happen.” He also confirmed the presence of policemen. “Yes, they mounted that Fadeyi side,” he added.
However, attempts to reach the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations officer, Abimbola Adebisi, proved abortive, as calls put through to her were unanswered.
Meanwhile, Adebisi told Vanguard that security personnel have been deployed to strategic locations to forestall any breakdown of law and order across the state.
According to Adebisi, “Investigation is ongoing to get the perpetrators, the Command has also deployed to strategic locations to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order”.
Meanwhile, the Lagos NURTW Chairman, Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, said he’s “deeply saddened and heartbroken” to have lost “such a loyal, dependable, and committed ally.”
In a tribute posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Sego described Ijaya as “more than an ally” who will be “deeply missed.”
He wrote, “Comrade Toba Ajiboye, the Organising Secretary of the NURTW Lagos State Council, was more than an ally; he was a trusted friend, a man of steadfast loyalty and unwavering commitment, and a true pillar of TeamSego and SegoNation. His friendship, unwavering support, and selfless dedication to the union over the years will forever remain etched in my heart.”
“My heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends, and the entire NURTW family. May Almighty God forgive his shortcomings, grant him eternal rest, and give us all the strength and fortitude to bear this painful and irreparable loss,” he added.
