Toba Ijaya's Death: CP Fatai Tijani Urges Calm, Assures Justice as Lagos Police Move to Prevent Transport Union Crisis
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, has appealed for calm following the killing of the General Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), popularly known as Toba Ijaya, assuring Lagos residents that security agencies are in control and that those responsible for the murder will be identified and prosecuted.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, has reassured Lagos residents of sustained peace and security following the killing of the General Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), popularly known as Toba Ijaya, while warning against any form of reprisal or breakdown of law and order.
Speaking during a peace meeting with the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers' Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), the police commissioner said the Command had launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident and remained committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice.
CP Tijani emphasized that the police would conduct a professional, diligent and impartial investigation, assuring stakeholders that the findings would be made public upon its conclusion.
"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," he said.
The police commissioner urged both transport unions to continue restraining their members and cautioned against taking the law into their own hands.
"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.
He also disclosed that security agencies had intensified surveillance across the state and appealed to members of the public to assist investigators with credible information that could aid 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, the Lagos State Chairman of the NURTW, Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle Adio, popularly known as Sego, commended the police commissioner for the timely intervention and disclosed that the union had consistently appealed for peace since the incident.
According to him, the union had held several meetings with its members to discourage retaliation and maintain calm across the state.
"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," he said.
Sego also pledged the union's full cooperation with security agencies, stating that any member found violating the directive to remain peaceful would be handed over to the police.
Similarly, the Lagos State Chairman of the Road Transport Employers' Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Comrade Shamsudeen Adepeju Ajala (Kaosar), praised the Lagos State Police Command for its proactive response and reaffirmed the association's commitment to maintaining peace.
He assured the police of RTEAN's full cooperation in identifying those responsible for the killing while directing members to remain law-abiding.
During the meeting, both unions resolved to intensify internal sensitisation among their members, urging restraint and discouraging the spread of misinformation capable of escalating tensions.
In his closing remarks, CP Tijani stressed that continuous dialogue and collaboration between transport unions and security agencies were essential to ensuring a successful investigation.
He noted that criminal elements must not be allowed to exploit the unfortunate incident to destabilise Lagos, adding that the police remained committed to preserving peace while ensuring justice for the slain union leader.
The meeting ended with renewed commitments from the police, NURTW and RTEAN to work together in maintaining public order, as the Lagos State Police Command continues heightened surveillance across the state to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
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