Seven arrested for murder of Uber drivers in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has dismantled two robbery gangs targeting 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.

Speaking at a press briefing, Commissioner of Police (CP) Olarewaju Ishola disclosed that the suspects—Emeka Akwara, 19; David Segun, 21; Samuel Ariori, 21; and Lukman Ariori, 19—ordered a ride from Chevron in Lekki to Obalende at midnight. Upon arriving in a secluded area, they stabbed the unsuspecting driver multiple times in the neck.

“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,” said CP Ishola.

The driver’s body was later deposited at the Mainland Hospital Yaba morgue.

In a related development, another trio—Edmond Julius, 34; Abdullahi Umar, 32; and Saturday Oke, 40—was arrested for their involvement in the murder of an Uber driver, Oluwaseyi Fowler, three months ago in the Ajah area.

The Commissioner 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 further noted that these cases were among three similar incidents reported in the last three months. He 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.

To prevent further occurrences, the police announced plans to provide security tips to ride-hailing drivers and collaborate with stakeholders in the sector.

CP Ishola praised Lagos as the safest state in Nigeria, with over 500,000 diaspora Nigerians arriving through Murtala Muhammed International Airport to celebrate with their families during the festive season.

“It’s on record that Lagos has maintained a reputation for safety and security during festivities, thanks to the unwavering efforts of our officers and support from the state government,” he added.

He highlighted that between September 2024 and January 2025, the police recovered various arms and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles seized during the EndSARS protests.