- Safiu Kehinde
The Lagos State Police Command has given update on the 55-year-old National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW) official, Shamisdeen Oladiti, who was arrested over alleged murder of a Lagos Island resident, simply identified as Ramon, and cases of serial assaults on motorists.
NPO Reported that Shamisdeen, popularly known as Shamelon, was arrested last week following complaint over the passing of Ramon who died on the 17th of September from the injuries he sustained during his assault by Shamisdeen on the 28th of August.
The notorious hoodlum had allegedly used a metallic ring to repeatedly strike Ramon on the head and face, inflicting severe injuries.
A video from the incident showed moment the deceased was dragged by the NURTW chieftain to spot where he was brutalised.
Meanwhile, on the same day Ramon died, Shamisdeen was reported to have attacked a dispatch rider, using a helmet and fists to inflict serious bodily injury.
The victim was rushed to the hospital and placed on oxygen.
The two incidents had sparked protest in Lagos Island with angry residents setting two motorcycles belonging to Shamisdeen ablaze before Police intervention and eventual arrest of the NURTW official.
With the Police having confirmed the arrest and detention of Shamisdeen, NPO Reports on Tuesday contacted the Lagos Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, in demand for update on the case.
Speaking to our correspondent, Abimbola maintained that investigation is still ongoing and that the suspect will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
The Police spokesperson however noted that it is yet to establish Shamisdeen’s affiliation with the NURTW or any union.
“We’ve not affiliated him to any organisation or union. We understand that the media are affiliating him with NURTW, but we have not established that.
“Investigation is still ongoing and on completion of the investigation, he will be charged to court.
“Like I said earlier, we are not affiliating him to any union or any organisation. We have not established that.” She said.
In contrast, the Lagos NURTW Chairman, Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, had in a statement issued on Friday admitted that Shamisdeen is one of his loyalists.
Sego however condemned his actions which he claimed does not represent the NURTW in any way.
He called for thorough investigation over the case while also noting that Shamisdeen will further face the union’s internal disciplinary procedures.
“I want to make it clear that all his actions are his own and do not represent the NURTW in any way.
“Anyone who believes otherwise is welcome to bring forward their evidence or submit it to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for proper investigation.
“I urge law enforcement officers to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation to ensure justice is served.
“Once the legal process is complete, he will also face the union’s internal disciplinary procedures. As I have always stated, the NURTW does not condone violence or any unlawful acts.” The Lagos NURTW Chairman wrote.