The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Shamsideen Adio, a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), for allegedly assaulting a dispatch rider to death on Tapa Street, Lagos Island.
The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday after a dispute broke out between Adio and the dispatch rider over claims that the motorcyclist had scratched Adio’s vehicle. Witnesses said the argument escalated into violence when Adio, aided by some colleagues, allegedly beat the rider severely.
Journalist Chris Nwandu, who uploaded video footage of the attack to Facebook on Thursday, alleged that Adio is notorious for attacking tricycle and motorcycle operators in the area. He claimed that just days earlier, Adio had also assaulted a tricycle driver who ended up in hospital.
A police source in the area confirmed that the victim succumbed to his injuries and that Adio had been arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further questioning.
Efforts to reach Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer Abimbola Adebisi for an official comment were unsuccessful as her phone line was unreachable at the time of filing this report.
This case follows other recent high-profile assault incidents, including the February arraignment of Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, the suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, on charges of conspiracy and assault after he was accused of attacking a 70-year-old chief.
