The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos State chapter, has expressed deep sorrow over the gruesome murder of 42-year-old e-hailing driver, Yusfat Olawale Ayinde, who was fatally stabbed by unknown assailants while on duty. The tragic incident, which occurred on Friday night, has once again raised serious concerns over the safety of ride-hailing drivers in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
A Targeted Attack: How Ayinde Was Murdered
Confirming the unfortunate incident on Monday, Jaiyesinmi Azeez, the chairman of the union, revealed that Ayinde had accepted a ride request through an e-hailing app and arrived at the designated pickup point, only to be ambushed by criminals posing as passengers. The attackers stabbed him multiple times before making away with his vehicle.
Speaking on the incident, Azeez stated:
“Comrade Yusfat Olawale Ayinde was not just a member of our union but also an administrator of a professional chauffeurs’ network in Lagos. According to our investigations, he responded to a trip request and was lured to the pickup location where he was attacked. These criminals stabbed him to death and stole his car.”
The remains of the deceased were discovered along Agidingbi Road in Ikeja and later taken to the morgue.
Growing Security Concerns for E-Hailing Drivers in Lagos
This tragic murder is the latest in a series of violent attacks on e-hailing drivers in Lagos. In recent months, ride-hailing platforms such as Uber and Bolt have been under fire for failing to implement robust security measures to protect their drivers from criminal elements.
Azeez lamented the deteriorating safety conditions for e-hailing drivers, calling for urgent intervention from law enforcement agencies and ride-hailing companies.
“This incident is a wake-up call. The security of our drivers is now a matter of life and death. We are demanding better safety measures, including emergency response systems and improved surveillance, to prevent further loss of lives,” he said.
Union Task Force and Police Launch Investigations
In response to Ayinde’s murder, the AUATON Lagos State Task Force has launched an investigation in collaboration with his family and law enforcement agencies. Their primary focus is to track down the killers and recover the stolen vehicle.
Azeez confirmed that efforts were being made to identify the app through which the ride request was made, as well as to trace the suspects using digital forensics and surveillance footage.
“We are committed to ensuring that those responsible for this heinous crime are arrested and prosecuted. The union is working with security agencies to track the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” Azeez assured.
A Disturbing Trend: E-Hailing Drivers Becoming Targets
Ayinde’s murder is not an isolated incident. The Lagos State Police Command recently arrested a 21-year-old US returnee, David Segun, and his accomplices for allegedly murdering an Uber driver in Obalende.
According to Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Ishola Olanrewaju, the suspects—Segun, Emeka Akwara (19), Samuel Ariori (21), and Lukman Ariori (19)—ordered an Uber ride from Chevron in Lekki to Obalende in the early hours of January 9. Upon reaching a secluded area, they allegedly stabbed the driver multiple times in the neck and made away with his vehicle.
This growing trend of e-hailing drivers falling victim to violent crimes has ignited conversations on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, where users are calling for stricter identity verification measures for riders and enhanced driver protection policies.
Union Demands Stronger Safety Measures and Justice for Ayinde
In the wake of this tragedy, AUATON Lagos has outlined a series of demands to improve driver safety and prevent further killings, including:
- Stronger verification processes for ride-hailing passengers to prevent criminals from using fake identities.
- Live emergency alert buttons on driver apps to enable instant reporting of distress situations.
- Increased law enforcement patrols in high-risk zones.
- Mandatory insurance coverage for e-hailing drivers in case of violent attacks.
Azeez emphasized that the union will not rest until justice is served and security measures are reinforced to protect e-hailing drivers across the state.
“We owe it to Ayinde and every other fallen driver to push for reforms that will protect our members from these senseless killings. This tragedy must be the last,” he concluded.
Final Thoughts: The Urgent Need for Reform
As the investigation into Ayinde’s murder unfolds, the case has sparked national outrage, with many Nigerians demanding that ride-hailing companies take responsibility for driver safety. The tragic loss of yet another driver has further underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive security framework for Nigeria’s e-hailing industry.
While stakeholders await further updates on the case, one thing is clear: The safety of e-hailing drivers in Lagos can no longer be ignored.
