The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended a 21-year-old US returnee, David Segun, along with three others, for their alleged involvement in the gruesome murder of an Uber driver in the Obalende area of Lagos State. The Commissioner of Police, Ishola Olanrewaju, disclosed this during a press briefing at the state command headquarters on Saturday.

Details of the Incident

According to Olanrewaju, the suspects—Segun, Emeka Akwara (19), Samuel Ariori (21), and Lukman Ariori (19)—booked an Uber ride from Chevron in Lekki to Obalende in the early hours of Thursday, January 9, 2025. Upon reaching a secluded area in Obalende, the suspects allegedly turned on the driver, stabbing him multiple times in the neck with the intent to rob him of his vehicle.

Olanrewaju revealed that the suspects’ plan failed as they were unable to flee with the vehicle. Two of the suspects were apprehended on the spot by residents of the community, who then handed them over to police operatives attached to the Lion Building Division.

Arrest and Ongoing Investigation

The prompt intervention of concerned locals led to the immediate capture of two suspects. The police later apprehended the remaining two suspects in the Chevron area. The Uber driver’s lifeless body was recovered at the scene and has since been deposited in the morgue at Mainland Hospital, Yaba.

Commissioner Olanrewaju identified Segun as the gang leader and described him as a US returnee. Segun, who had been deported from the United States by his father due to behavioral issues, was reportedly difficult to manage even upon his return to Nigeria.

“This is their leader,” Olanrewaju said while pointing to Segun during the parade of suspects. “He was sent home from America by his father, but his mother here couldn’t control him. Unfortunately, the burden of society’s failures often falls on law enforcement. However, this is the job we signed up for, and we will ensure justice is served.”

Motive and Consequences

The Commissioner expressed dismay at the senseless killing of the Uber driver, speculating that the victim may have been using the vehicle on a hire-purchase agreement. “I wonder what value this vehicle could have fetched in the market that justified taking a man’s life,” he said.

The suspects will face criminal prosecution beginning Monday, January 13, 2025.

Broader Criminal Activities and Security Measures

During the same press briefing, the police paraded other suspects arrested for crimes including kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, and carjacking. The Commissioner noted that the command’s intelligence-led policing strategy contributed to a peaceful yuletide season in Lagos, despite a significant influx of visitors.

“During this period, Murtala Muhammed Airport received over 500,000 diasporan Nigerians, and 90 percent of them stayed in Lagos for the festivities. Our proactive policing ensured a peaceful celebration,” Olanrewaju stated.

Call for Vigilance

The Lagos State Police Command emphasized the importance of community involvement in ensuring public safety. The swift action of residents in Obalende, who intervened and apprehended the suspects, was commended as a model for cooperation between citizens and law enforcement.

The case serves as a sobering reminder of the value of human life and the devastating impact of crime on families and communities. The police reiterated their commitment to curbing criminal activities in Lagos and ensuring that offenders face the full extent of the law.