Lagos Crime: How an American Returnee and His Crew Targeted an Uber Driver
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested seven individuals involved in the murders of Uber drivers in separate incidents. One group, comprising four members including a 21-year-old U.S. returnee named David Segun, was apprehended following the fatal stabbing of an Uber driver during a robbery attempt on January 9, 2025.
According to Commissioner of Police Olarewaju Ishola, the suspects—Emeka Akwara (19), David Segun (21), Samuel Ariori (21), and Lukman Ariori (19)—requested a ride from Chevron in Lekki to Obalende around midnight. Upon reaching a secluded area in Obalende, they attacked the driver, stabbing him multiple times in the neck in an attempt to steal his Toyota Camry.
Passersby intervened, preventing the theft, and two suspects were immediately apprehended and handed over to the police. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of the remaining two suspects in the Chevron area. The victim’s body was transported to the Mainland Hospital Yaba morgue.
In a separate case, three suspects—Edmond Julius (34), Abdullahi Umar (32), and Saturday Oke (40)—were arrested for the murder of another Uber driver, Oluwaseyi Fowler, in the Ajah area three months prior.
The suspects confessed to kidnapping Fowler, robbing him of his vehicle, and subsequently killing him. They sold the stolen car to a receiver, and police efforts led to the recovery of both the decomposed body of the victim and the vehicle.
These incidents mark the third attack on Uber drivers in Lagos within three months, raising concerns about the safety of ride-hailing service providers in the city.
Commissioner Ishola advised Uber drivers to adopt safety measures, such as carrying only one passenger at a time, conducting thorough checks on passengers, and ensuring they sit in the front seat. The police plan to distribute security tips to drivers to help prevent further occurrences.
Reflecting on the overall security situation, Commissioner Ishola noted that Lagos is considered one of the safest states in Nigeria, attributing this to the commitment of police officers and support from the Lagos State Government.
He mentioned that during the recent festive season, Murtala Muhammed International Airport received over 500,000 Nigerians from the diaspora, with 90% choosing to stay in Lagos without incident.
The arrested suspects are expected to face criminal prosecution, with proceedings set to commence promptly.