Lagos School Suspends Classes to Honour Slain NURTW Leader

A private school in Fadeyi, Lagos, was temporarily shut on Tuesday to honour the late Organising Secretary of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Toba Ajiboye, popularly known as Toba Ijaya, who was buried earlier in the day.

In a video obtained by PUNCH Online, Great Josade School, located in Ereko, Fadeyi, where Ajiboye’s house is situated, suspended academic activities as a mark of respect for the slain union leader.

A banner displayed at the entrance of the school announced the closure, bearing Ajiboye’s photograph alongside an obituary message.

The inscription on the banner read, “Please no school tomorrow in order to honour our amiable brother and father.”

Family members, colleagues, friends and supporters had earlier gathered in Ketu, Lagos, to bid farewell to Ajiboye during his burial, with videos circulating on social media showing emotional scenes as mourners paid their last respects.

Ajiboye died after succumbing to gunshot injuries sustained when unidentified gunmen attacked his vehicle in the Fadeyi area of Lagos on Sunday evening.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the Lagos State Police Command launched a manhunt for the assailants following the attack.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident, saying investigations had commenced while efforts were ongoing to apprehend those responsible.

“The incident happened on Sunday, and one person died. He is a member of the transport union in Lagos. Investigation has commenced, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the killers,” Hundeyin said.

According to sources familiar with the incident, Ajiboye had visited Fadeyi to see childhood friends before he was attacked while leaving the area.

“He had visited the area on Sunday as he regularly did because that was where he grew up. He was leaving that evening when some gunmen shot at his vehicle.

“He was rushed to the hospital, and we believed he was responding to treatment until we were informed that he didn’t make it,” the source said.

A member of the union, Taofeek, also disclosed that three other occupants of Ajiboye’s vehicle sustained gunshot wounds during the attack and remained hospitalised.

“There were about three other people in the vehicle. They also sustained gunshot wounds. Their condition is very serious as we speak. The doctors are battling to save them. We pray that they survive,” he said.

Photographs and videos shared online after the attack showed the late union leader’s vehicle riddled with bullet holes.

Reacting to the killing, the Chairman of the Lagos State NURTW, Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, described Ajiboye as a loyal ally, dependable friend and committed union leader.

“The news of the sudden passing of Comrade Toba Ajiboye has left me deeply saddened and heartbroken. It is difficult to come to terms with the loss of such a loyal, dependable, and committed ally.

“Comrade Toba Ajiboye was more than an ally; he was a trusted friend, a man of steadfast loyalty and unwavering commitment, and a true pillar of TeamSego and SegoNation. His friendship, unwavering support, and selfless dedication to the union over the years will forever remain etched in my heart,” Sego said in a Facebook tribute.

The motive behind the attack has yet to be established as police investigations continue