Gunmen on Tuesday night shot dead the personal assistant to Alhaji Kunle Azeez, a leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, identified simply as Ganiu, in the Idumota area of Lagos State.
The incident reportedly happened while Ganiu (aka Piero), Azeez (aka Kunle Poly) and some security guards, including two policemen, were returning from a meeting around 12 midnight on Tuesday,
It was learnt that the gunmen opened fire on them; Ganiu was hit and died on the spot, others fled the scene sustaining varying degrees of injury.
A source told Punch that hoodlums from the Agarawu area were suspected to be perpetratots of the attack.
He said, “Kunle Poly, who heads the NURTW branches in Idumota, called a meeting of all chairmen in motor parks in the area around 12 midnight.
“When they were done with the meeting, Kunle Poly, the two poliemen guarding him, Piero, and one other union member, left for his car, which was parked at a bridge close to the office.
“Kunle Poly asked Piero to release the car key because he (Kunle Poly) wanted to drive the car by himself. He asked Piero to go to the passenger’s side. Piero turned to go to the passenger’s side, while his boss headed towards the driver’s side. They were all about to enter the car when there was a gunshot.
“Piero was hit and he died on the spot. The union member with them was hit by another bullet in the hand. The mopols with them wanted to return the gunfire when the gunmen rained bullets on them. They all took cover.
“Kunle Poly dodged beside the car from where he jumped onto the bridge and escaped to the other side of the road. The two mopols took to their heels. Nobody knew where the shots came from as I speak to you.”
The death of Ganiu sparked tension on the Lagos Island causing deployment of security operatives in the area as business activities were grounded and residents advised to stay indoors.
The NURTW’s aide has, however, been buried immediately in accordance with Islamic rites.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in respect to tension on Lagos Island banned the union activities until the situation improved.
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