Toba Ijaya Killing: CP Tijani Moves to Prevent Transport Union Crisis, Assures Lagosians of Justice

Toba Ijaya Killing: CP Tijani Moves to Prevent Transport Union Crisis, Assures Lagosians of Justice
…Warns NURTW, RTEAN Members Against Retaliation, Says Suspects Will Be Arrested
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, has moved to prevent the killing of the General Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), popularly known as Toba Ijaya, from triggering a crisis within the state’s transport sector.
Amid growing concerns following the incident, CP Tijani convened a peace meeting with the leadership of the NURTW and the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), urging both unions to remain calm and ensure that their members do not take the law into their own hands.
The meeting was aimed at dousing tension, strengthening cooperation between the transport unions and the Police, and reassuring Lagos residents that the investigation into the killing would be conducted professionally and that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Speaking at the meeting, CP Tijani disclosed that the Lagos State Police Command had commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incident, assuring stakeholders that no stone would be left unturned in identifying, arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators.
“The Command has commenced a thorough investigation into this unfortunate incident, and I assure you that the outcome will be made public when the investigation is concluded,” the Commissioner said.
The Police Commissioner appealed to the leadership of both NURTW and RTEAN to continue restraining their members and warned against any attempt to exploit the incident to cause violence or disrupt public peace across the state.
“No individual or group should take the law into their own hands. We will not tolerate any act capable of disrupting public peace, and anyone found breaching the peace will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” he warned.
CP Tijani further disclosed that the Police were closely monitoring developments across Lagos and called on members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the investigation.
“Allow the Police to carry out a professional, diligent and unbiased investigation. If you have useful information, share it with us. We are committed to ensuring that the perpetrators are identified, arrested and brought to justice,” he added.
Responding on behalf of the NURTW, the Lagos State Chairman of the union, Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle Adio, popularly known as Sego, commended the Commissioner of Police for convening the meeting and assured the Command of the union’s continued commitment to peace.
He said the union had held several meetings with its members since the incident and had consistently urged them to remain calm and law-abiding.
“We appreciate the Commissioner of Police for bringing us together at this critical time. Since the unfortunate incident, we have held several meetings with our members and consistently preached peace. Calm has prevailed, and we will continue to ensure that it remains so,” Sego stated.
He also pledged the NURTW’s full cooperation with the investigation, stressing that any member who attempted to cause trouble or violate the union’s directive to remain peaceful would be handed over to the Police.
Similarly, the Lagos State Chairman of RTEAN, Comrade Shamsudeen Adepeju Ajala, popularly known as Kaosar, commended the Police Command for its proactive intervention and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to maintaining peace.
“We will cooperate fully with the Police to ensure that those behind this incident are identified and brought to justice. Our members have been directed to remain law-abiding, and we will not allow anyone to create unrest in Lagos,” he assured.
The meeting also resolved that both transport unions would intensify internal sensitisation among their members, promote restraint and discourage the spread of misinformation capable of escalating tension.
In his closing remarks, CP Tijani urged the leadership of the two unions to sustain dialogue with their members and continue working closely with security agencies.
“Peace and cooperation are indispensable to a successful investigation. We must not allow criminal elements to exploit this unfortunate incident to destabilise Lagos. Together, we will ensure justice is served while preserving the peace that Lagosians deserve,” he said.
With the Police Command maintaining heightened surveillance and both transport unions publicly committing themselves to peace, stakeholders have reassured Lagos residents that security agencies remain firmly in control of the situation.
The message from the meeting was clear: the killing will be investigated, the perpetrators will face justice, and there will be no room for retaliation, violence or any action capable of threatening the peace and stability of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre.