The Lagos Police Command has arrested a National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) boss of the Lagos Island branch, Shamsideen Oladiti popularly called Shameleon, over allegations of assault and murder of a dispatch rider in the state.
The 55-year-old chieftain has been detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti-Yaba, where the two cases leveled against him were being investigated.
Oladiti was said to have on September 17, 2025, at about 3:00 p.m. allegedly attacked a dispatch rider in Lagos Island, using a helmet and fists to inflict serious injuries.
It was learnt that the victim, who was rushed to hospital, is said to be on oxygen and still receiving treatment.
The police further disclosed that a separate complaint had earlier been lodged against the suspect over an incident on August 28, 2025.
During the altercation, Adio allegedly used a metallic ring to repeatedly strike another man on the head and face, leaving him with severe injuries.
Despite medical care, the victim died on September 17, 2025, and his remains have since been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.
Eyewitness narrated that the man’s death triggered protests at the suspect’s office in Sandgrouse Market, Lagos Island, where sympathisers of the deceased set two of Adio’s motorcycles ablaze, heightening tension in the area.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally led mobile policemen, tactical squads, and conventional officers to the scene to restore normalcy. He assured residents that the suspect remains in custody and will be prosecuted once investigations are concluded.
The CP also appealed to Lagos residents to remain calm and law-abiding, stressing that the command is committed to ensuring justice.
Meanwhile, the state command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, clarified that the dispatch rider beaten on Wednesday by the suspect is still alive, contrary to some reports of his death.
She said: “We have confirmed from the family that he is still alive. He is not dead, although he is currently breathing with the aid of oxygen. The one who died passed on September 17th. He was also beaten by Oladiti on August 28th but died on Wednesday, September 17th.”
