Lawless NURTW Top Official “Shamelon” Brutalises Dispatch Rider In Lagos Island

A disturbing video has shown Shamsideen Adio, a top official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), beating a dispatch rider to a pulp.

The incident which occurred in Tapa Street, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, according to eyewitnesses, began when Adio’s vehicle was allegedly obstructed by the rider.

The situation quickly escalated, with Adio popularly known as “Shamelon” joined by friends and colleagues, who reportedly battered the rider mercilessly. 

A video clip shared on Facebook by Chris Nwandu revealed the brutal assault, sparking widespread outrage.

In the video seen by SaharaReporters, Adio was seen punching the poor rider repeatedly alongside his friend, while a crowd of onlookers watched without intervening.

At one point, Adio and his friends wrestled the rider to the ground, removing everything from his pockets and attempting to strip him naked.

SaharaReporters gathered that this incident is not Adio’s first alleged offence.

Sources close to the matter claim he has a history of violence against riders, particularly those operating commercial tricycle popularly known as Marwa.

It was reported that just a few days prior to Wednesday’s incident, Adio dealt deadly blows to another rider, leaving him hospitalised.

Nwandu who shared a video clip of the incident on his Facebook page, on Thursday, wrote, “We are reliably informed that he’s notorious for beating Marwa operators to a pulp whenever they offend him…It was reported that few days ago he also dealt deadly blows to a Marwa operator who ended up in the general hospital.”

Nwandu is demanding justice for the victim. “It’s a cry for justice!!!! As we don’t know who his next victim will be, the state authorities should immediately look into this case.”

The incident has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of riders in Lagos, highlighting the need for accountability and protection.

Dispatch riders play a vital role in Lagos’ logistics and transportation ecosystem, navigating the city’s notorious traffic to deliver goods and services.

However, their work often puts them at risk of accidents, harassment, and violence. This incident highlights the need for greater support and protection for the workers.

The Lagos State government is urged to investigate this incident and take necessary actions to ensure justice is served.

The NURTW leadership may also need to address allegations of Adio’s past behaviour and take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.