Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command has successfully dismantled two robbery gangs that targeted Uber drivers, arresting seven suspects linked to the murder of drivers in separate incidents.
One gang, comprising four members, including a United States returnee, was apprehended following the brutal killing of an Uber driver in an attempted car theft on Thursday, January 9. Commissioner of Police (CP) Olarewaju Ishola revealed on Saturday while parading the suspects, that they ordered a ride from Chevron in Lekki to Obalende at midnight, stabbing the unsuspecting driver multiple times in the neck.
CP Ishola explained that the suspects’ attempt to steal the vehicle was thwarted by the intervention of good Samaritans and passersby.
“Their attempt to steal the vehicle was thwarted by the intervention of good Samaritans and passersby. Two suspects were immediately arrested and handed over to police operatives at Lion Building, while further investigations led to the arrest of two others in the Chevron area,” he said. The driver’s body was later deposited at the Mainland Hospital Yaba morgue.
In a related development, another trio was arrested for their involvement in the murder of an Uber driver, Oluwaseyi Fowler, three months ago in the Ajah area. CP Ishola revealed that the suspects had kidnapped Fowler, robbed him of his Toyota Camry, and subsequently killed him.
“The suspects sold the stolen car to their receiver and led police to recover the decomposed body of the victim and the vehicle,” he said.
CP Ishola advised Uber drivers to adopt safety precautions, including carrying only one passenger at a time, ensuring proper checks on passengers, and having them sit in the front seat.
He praised Lagos as the safest state in Nigeria, noting that the police had recovered various arms and ammunition between September 2024 and January 2025.
