The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria’s Lagos State branch has expressed sorrow over the untimely death of Yusfat Ayinde, a 42-year-old e-hailing driver, who was fatally stabbed on Friday by unknown assailants.
Jaiyesinmi Azeez, the union’s head, confirmed the event to PUNCH Metro on Monday, saying that Ayinde was on duty at the time of the ambush.
Azeez claims that once the driver arrived at the agreed-upon location after receiving a ride request via the e-hailing app, a gang of thugs attacked him.
He claimed that after fatally stabbing Ayinde, the attackers took off with his car.
“Our member and the administrator of a state-wide organization of professional chauffeurs is Comrade Yusfat Olawale Ayinde,” he stated. Tragically, he was killed in a vicious assault that was started by unknown attackers. Our investigation revealed that Ayinde was ambushed by a gang of thugs who had summoned him via the e-hailing app once he arrived at the agreed-upon spot. Ayinda was fatally stabbed by the attackers, who then took his car.
Before being transported to the morgue, his remains were reportedly left behind along Agidingbi Road in Ikeja.
Azeez demanded more security measures in the e-hailing industry, voicing concerns over the safety of its drivers.
In order to determine the circumstances surrounding the murder, he also disclosed that the union had started an inquiry through its task force.
As to his statement, “The task force is presently collaborating with the family and other authorities to collect evidence and identify the app that was used to make the ride request.” There are efforts underway to find the attackers and prosecute them.
“To improve investigative efforts and use technology to track the attackers, the task force will collaborate with law enforcement.”
Azeez added that talks were still going on to put in place extra safety precautions for e-hailing drivers, including as enhanced surveillance in high-risk zones and emergency response systems.
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“The union will keep helping Ayinda’s family and make sure they get the help they need during this terrible period. The Auaton Lagos State Task Force is dedicated to seeing to it that justice is done and that measures are taken to avoid future occurrences of this kind. As the investigation develops, more information will be released,” he said.
Recall that the Lagos State Police Command detained David Segun, a 21-year-old US returnee, and two other people for allegedly killing an Uber driver in the Obalende neighborhood.
At midnight on Thursday, January 9, Segun and his accomplices, Emeka Akwara (19), Samuel Ariori (21), and Lukman Ariori (19), ordered an Uber ride from Chevron in Lekki to Obalende, according to information provided by Commissioner of Police Ishola Olanrewaju during the suspects’ parading at the state command headquarters on January 12.
He claimed that the suspects robbed and killed the Uber driver by repeatedly stabbing him in the neck when they arrived at a desolate region of Obalende.
