Lagos Uber driver stabbed to death after fake ride request

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

Confirming the incident, the union’s chairman, Jaiyesinmi Azeez, told PUNCH Metro on Monday that Ayinde was on duty when he was ambushed.

According to Azeez, Ayinde had received a ride request via an e-hailing app and arrived at the designated pickup location, where he was attacked by a group of hoodlums.

“Comrade Yusfat Olawale Ayinde was a dedicated member of our union and an administrator in the Professional Chauffeur body in Lagos. He was lured by a fake ride request and brutally murdered by the attackers, who then fled with his vehicle,” Azeez stated.

Reports indicate that Ayinde’s body was abandoned along Agidingbi Road in Ikeja before being taken to the morgue.

Expressing concern over the increasing dangers faced by app-based transport workers, Azeez called for improved security measures to protect drivers.

The union has since launched an investigation through its task force to uncover the circumstances of the attack and identify the e-hailing app used to request the ride.

“Our task force is working with the family and law enforcement agencies to gather evidence and track down the assailants,” Azeez added.

He further stated that discussions are ongoing to introduce emergency response systems and increased surveillance in high-risk areas to prevent such incidents in the future.

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

According to Commissioner of Police Ishola Olanrewaju, the suspects ordered a ride from Chevron, Lekki, to Obalende at midnight on January 9. Upon arrival in a secluded area, they stabbed the driver multiple times in the neck before robbing him.

The AUATON Lagos State Task Force has vowed to ensure justice for Ayinde’s murder while working towards better safety regulations for e-hailing drivers.