The Lagos State Council of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria has called for stricter profiling of e-hailing drivers after a female passenger, Pascaline Akusionwu, was stabbed by her driver in the Sangotedo area of the state.

Akusionwu who worked in a mall booked a ride on Saturday, February 23, after the close of work at about 2 am.

During the journey to her destination, the driver took a detour from the intended route, stopped midway and robbed her of her valuables.

The chairman of the union, Azeez Jaiyesimi, who spoke to our correspondent on Monday, said the victim was stabbed in the ear and on her thigh in the process adding that she had since been receiving treatment after the incident.

In a video sent to our correspondent, the injuries of the victim were being treated by medical personnel at an undisclosed hospital.

Meanwhile, Jaiyesimi said the union had since taken swift action, engaging with key authorities, including the Department of State Services, the police, and the Lagos State Government, to ensure a thorough investigation and justice for the victim.

According to him, the union had formally reported the matter to the app company, urging it to enforce stricter background checks on drivers before onboarding them.

“AUATON has taken significant steps in response to the recent robbery and stabbing incident involving Akusionwu Ogechukwu Pascaline. The union has moved swiftly to address the matter, collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure justice and enhance safety within the app-based transport sector.  Also, in light of the severity of the attack, AUATON has taken proactive measures to support the victim and to hold the perpetrator accountable.

“After the incident, the union immediately engaged with the Department of State Services, the police, and the Lagos State Government to escalate the matter and facilitate a thorough investigation.”

“We also visited the victim personally to offer support and reassurance during this difficult time. AUATON has formally reported the incident to the company and urged it to take concrete steps to prevent similar occurrences through background checks on drivers before allowing them to operate on app-based platforms.”

Jaiyesimi added that AUATON maintained a comprehensive database of drivers’ profiles, which could be utilised to enhance safety and accountability within the app-based transport sector.

He further called for enhanced verification processes for drivers and passengers, stressing that proper profiling is crucial to preventing similar attacks.

“We recommended that app companies collaborate with the union to validate driver credentials and background information as part of the registration process. Furthermore, the union has pledged to work closely with all stakeholders, including the government, security agencies, and app-based transport companies, to implement improved security measures and safeguard the interests of both drivers and riders,” he added.

Kenya transfer desk in Nairobi (NBO) has since generated reactions.

However, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, on his X account shared pictures and the outcome of the meeting to address the dispute.

Achimugu said the airline has apologised for the ill-treatment of the Nigerian passenger during a meeting with the airline.

“In respect of the now viral case between a Nigerian passenger, Gloria Omisore, and Kenyan Airways, I summoned the airline to my Abuja office today, Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

“In attendance were the airline’s Country Manager, James Nganga; Station Manager, Eric Mukira; and Duty Manager, Ezenwa Ehumadu.
“We informed the airline that the passenger had called Kenya Airways on December 7, 2025 to inquire if she was qualified to fly the Manchester-Paris-Nairobi-Lagos (inbound) and Lagos-Nairobi-Paris-Manchester route.

“According to the passenger, the airline told her that she was qualified, despite her informing them that she is Nigerian, who holds a British resident permit, but no Shenghen visa,” Achimugu said.

The NCAA director said it was based on this information from Kenya Airways that assured the passenger to proceed to purchase the ticket, adding that she flew the first leg into Nigeria via Paris and Nairobi with no incidence.

“The airline has asked for time to check their recorded call log and confirm if that call happened. They have been granted 48 hours to do so,” he said.

“For her outbound flight, the airline boarded and flew the passenger out of Lagos despite knowing that she needed a transit visa for the Paris leg. This fault was that of the airline, and it was only discovered in Nairobi.”

He noted that upon discovery, the airline then offered the passenger a direct flight to London at no extra cost to her, on the condition that she would wait another 10 hours in addition to the 17-hour layover she had just endured.

“Since she was bleeding and exhausted, the passenger demanded accommodation and care because the error was that of the airline. It was when she was denied care that an argument ensued between her and the airline counter staff,” he added.

Achimugu said this is contrary to the intentionally misleading official statement by Kenya Airways claiming that the lady simply refused to re-route directly to London and started to throw pads around.

He said the Kenya Airways team has apologised for confusing facts in that statement, and has also admitted that phone call or not, it was the fault of the airline not to have discovered the problem before airlifting the passenger from Lagos.

“I expressed deep disappointment about the unruly Kenya Airways staff who insulted the office of the President of Nigeria, insinuating that the airline could do anything to Nigerians and nothing would happen. I asked if this manner of addressing customer complaints was the airline’s standard protocol.

“The country manager stated in very clear terms that the staff was out of order and apologised for the outburst. When asked what disciplinary measures will be taken against their personnel, he said that his bosses in Nairobi would decide,” he added.

The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned an disorderly Ibom Air passenger, Ms Chiamaka Don Ubani on a two-count charges after preventing Flight Q1528 from flying last Wednesday.

The flight with 89 passengers on board, scheduled to take off from Uyo en route Abuja was single-handedly prevented from moving over a baggage issue.

Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Michael Achimugu, disclosed this in a post on X.

Achimugu said the passenger was charged for “intentionally and maliciously preventing the door of the aircraft from closing and causing obstruction of Flight Q1528 from flying, thereby committed offence punishable under Section 436 of the Criminal Code, Cap 39, Volume 2, Laws of Akwa Ibom State.”

Another count charge stated that for “constituting herself into a public nuisance by obstructing flight Q1528 from flying at the scheduled time, an act which caused inconvenience or damage to passengers already boarded and the general public and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 196(1)(f) of the criminal code.”

Achimugu disclosed that the passenger has since been released on bail as a new date has been fixed at the Uyo Magistrate Court for February 4, 2025.

The NCAA, has however, urged all passengers to shun unruly behaviour at the terminals and inside aircraft and urged that complaints can be sent to [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].

A motorcyclist, Ahmed Owolabi, narrowly escaped death after his passenger, Sherif Oyeniyi, inflicted deep razor blade cuts on his neck while they were in motion in Arepo, Ogun State.

The Ogun State Police Command disclosed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, CPS Omolola Odutola.

According to Odutola, the attack occurred at 4:15 PM at Orange Estate, Arepo.

She revealed that the victim, a 27-year-old resident of Onimane Magada, Ibafo, was rescued and rushed to the hospital following the brutal attack.

The alarm was raised by Alani Muritala, a resident of Shefu Elede in Ibafo, who reported the crime to the police. Muritala informed officers that Owolabi had been attacked by Oyeniyi, who resides at 44 Association Road, Orange Estate, Voera, Arepo.

“Owolabi was conveying Oyeniyi to his destination in Arepo when Oyeniyi suddenly pulled out a razor blade and slashed his neck in two separate locations,” Odutola explained.

Acting swiftly, the Divisional Police Officer and his team arrived at the scene, transported the bleeding victim to the hospital, and apprehended the suspect.

Despite being taken into custody, Oyeniyi reportedly showed no remorse for his actions. During interrogation, he admitted to visiting a voodoo doctor prior to the attack.

When asked whether the seer had requested a blood sacrifice or initiation, Oyeniyi blamed his actions on “the devil’s handiwork.”

“The Divisional Crime Branch is conducting a thorough investigation into the matter,” Odutola added. “The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”

Owolabi is currently receiving medical attention while the police continue to investigate the motive behind the bizarre act, the statement noted.