By Charles Pemu 
Lagos Island, Nigeria – The streets of Lagos Island have become the stage for a burgeoning outcry as residents demand justice for Adeshina Rahman, who allegedly died after a brutal beating by Shamsideen Adio, known as “Shamelon,” a chieftain of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
This tragic incident has not only ignited protests but also reignited concerns over the pervasive influence and violence associated with the NURTW, a powerful transport union in Nigeria.
The sequence of events, as captured in a video circulated by Lagos Reporters, shows a crowd gathered in protest, holding signs that read “Justice for Rahman” and “No to Violence.” The footage, which went viral, depicts the raw emotion and urgency of both residence and the people, who are calling for immediate action against Adio and a broader overhaul of the NURTW’s operations.
The video also includes images of Adeshina Rahman, a seemingly ordinary citizen whose life was cut short, allegedly due to the unchecked power of a union leader. This incident is not an isolated one. The NURTW has long been criticized for its role in exacerbating social tensions and contributing to insecurity in urban areas.
A 2021 study by the Cleen Foundation, a Nigerian non-governmental organization, reported that transport unions like the NURTW are often linked to organized crime and political thuggery. The study highlighted that members of such unions frequently engage in acts of violence with little to no accountability, reflecting deep-seated issues within the governance and law enforcement frameworks of the country.
The death of Adeshina Rahman is a stark reminder of these systemic challenges. It occurs against a backdrop of increasing public frustration with state security forces and non-state actors, as documented in a 2023
There as been a wide spread detailed reports of abuses by security personnel and vigilante groups, further eroding trust in institutions meant to protect citizens. The NURTW’s alleged involvement in Rahman’s death is a microcosm of a larger problem: the impunity enjoyed by powerful figures within such organizations. The protests in Lagos Island are a call to action. Residents are not only mourning the loss of a fellow citizen but are also demanding an end to the cycle of violence and impunity that has plagued their community.
“We cannot continue to live in fear,” said one protester, who wished to remain anonymous due to safety concerns. “Shamelon must be held accountable, and the NURTW must be reformed.”
This incident underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms. The Nigerian government most especially the Lagos state government must address both the immediate violence and the underlying issues of power and impunity.
The prosecution of Shamsideen Adio is a critical first step, but it must be followed by a comprehensive review of the NURTW’s operations and a crackdown on the culture of violence within transport unions, only then can the safety and security of ordinary citizens like Adeshina Rahman be guaranteed.
As the protests continue, the eyes of the nation are on Lagos Island. The government must respond decisively to this tragedy, not only to deliver justice for Adeshina Rahman but also to restore faith in a system that has too often failed its people.
The time for action is now.