The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended seven suspects linked to separate robbery gangs targeting Uber drivers across the state, including one group responsible for two murders.
Addressing journalists at the command headquarters, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olanrewaju Ishola, detailed the breakthroughs achieved between September 2024 and January 10, 2025.
He revealed that a four-man gang was arrested for the murder of an Uber driver in Lekki on January 9, 2025.
CP Ishola explained that the suspects—identified as Emeka Akwara, 19; David Segun, 21; Samuel Ariori, 21; and Lukman Ariori, 19—had requested a ride from Chevron in Lekki to Obalende around midnight.
Upon reaching a secluded location in Obalende, the suspects attacked the driver, stabbing him multiple times in the neck in an attempt to steal his Toyota Camry.
“Their attempt to flee with the vehicle was thwarted by good Samaritans and passersby, who intervened and handed over two of the suspects to police operatives from the Lion Building division.
“Further investigations led to the arrest of two others hiding in Chevron,” Ishola said. The victim’s body was deposited at the Mainland Hospital mortuary in Yaba.
In another case, Ishola disclosed the arrest of three suspects—Edmond Julius, 34; Abdullahi Umar, 32; and Saturday Oke, 40—linked to the murder of an Uber driver three months ago in Ajah.
The trio reportedly confessed to kidnapping and killing the driver, Oluwaseyi Fowler, after robbing him of his Toyota Camry.
They later sold the vehicle to a buyer, who also facilitated the recovery of the car and the victim’s decomposed body.
The commissioner expressed concern over a spate of such crimes, marking the third incident involving murdered Uber drivers within three months.
To address this, he advised drivers to take safety precautions, such as carrying only one passenger at a time, conducting searches, and ensuring passengers sit in the front seat.
He also announced plans to distribute security guidelines to drivers.
Highlighting the state’s achievements, CP Ishola noted that Lagos safely hosted over 500,000 Nigerians from the diaspora during the festive season.
He praised the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, for his directives and commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his logistical support.
“Lagos is rated the safest state in Nigeria,” Ishola stated, attributing this status to the commitment of police personnel and collaborative efforts with the state government.
He also reported the recovery of various arms and ammunition since September 2024, including AK-47 rifles stolen during the #EndSARS protests.
