A 42-year-old e-hailing driver, Yusfat Olawale Ayinde, has been tragically killed in Lagos State by yet-to-be-identified assailants.
The incident happened on Friday, February 7, 2025, as the deceased went out to earn a living through his car.
According to the Lagos State chapter of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Ayinde accepted a ride request via an e-hailing application and proceeded to the designated pickup location.
Upon arrival, he was attacked by unidentified assailants who fatally stabbed him and fled with his vehicle.
His body was later discovered along Agidingbi Road in the Ikeja area and subsequently transported to the morgue.
AUATON’s chairman, Jaiyesinmi Azeez, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, highlighting Ayinde’s active role within the union as an administrator for a professional chauffeur group in Lagos.
Azeez emphasized the need for improved safety measures for e-hailing drivers, noting that the union’s task force is collaborating with Ayinde’s family and relevant authorities to gather evidence, identify the platform used for the ride request, and apprehend the perpetrators.
He stated, “The task force will coordinate with law enforcement to enhance investigative efforts and leverage technology in tracking the assailants.”
The loss of Ayinde has sent shockwaves through the e-hailing community in Lagos, prompting calls for immediate action to address driver safety.
The incident highlights the urgent need for collaboration between e-hailing companies, drivers, and law enforcement agencies to develop and implement comprehensive safety strategies. Such measures are essential to protect drivers and restore confidence in the safety of e-hailing services within the city.
