NIGERIA: Lagos Police Arrest NURTW Official “Shamelon” Over Murder, Assault After Viral Video

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a senior official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Shamsideen Oladiti, popularly known as “Shamelon,” over allegations of murder and assault in Lagos Island.

Oladiti, 55, was taken into custody on Friday, following public outrage over a viral video showing him brutally attacking a dispatch rider during a parking dispute.

According to police reports, the incident occurred on August 28, 2025, when Oladiti allegedly assaulted the victim with fists and a helmet before repeatedly striking him on the head and face with a metallic ring.

The rider, whose identity has not been disclosed, suffered severe injuries and, despite medical treatment, was confirmed dead by doctors on September 17, 2025. His body has been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

The video footage of the assault, which circulated widely on social media, sparked outrage among residents and calls for justice. By Friday morning, sympathizers of the deceased staged a violent protest at Oladiti’s office in Sandgrouse Market, Lagos Island, setting two motorcycles belonging to him ablaze and disrupting business activities in the area.

Responding swiftly, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally led mobile policemen, conventional officers, and tactical squads to the scene. The police restored calm and prevented further breakdown of law and order.

In a statement, CP Jimoh assured residents that justice will be served: “The suspect is in custody and will be promptly prosecuted after investigations are concluded.”

He also appealed to Lagos residents to remain calm and law-abiding, urging them not to take the law into their own hands but to cooperate with ongoing investigations.

The statement reads: “The Lagos State Police Command wishes to assure members of the public that justice will be diligently pursued in all the cases against the suspect. We appeal to residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and not to take the law into their own hands.