A close friend of the personal driver of the late Lagos NURTW leader, Comrade Joel Toba Ajiboye, also known as Toba Ijaya, has shared a heartbreaking update on his condition after surviving a targeted ambush that killed his boss. The driver, who was also shot during the attack in mid-July 2026, miraculously survived because the gunmen focused solely on the union chieftain.
Driver's Condition on Burial Day
On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, as the transport community and residents of Fadeyi paid their final respects to the late leader, a verified Facebook user, Ebere Beulah Orji, recounted her emotional reunion with the driver. She described him as looking "SO BROKEN" and deeply traumatized. The driver, a close friend of Ebere, was present at the burial but appeared shattered by the loss.
Ebere wrote: "I finally saw my friend, his personal driver that was also shot but he survived as obviously he wasn't their prime target. I saw him today and hugged him. He looked SO BROKEN Mahnn."
Background of the Fatal Ambush
Legit.ng had earlier reported that Toba Ijaya was assassinated on Sunday night, July 12, 2026, when unidentified gunmen ambushed his vehicle along the Ikorodu Road corridor in Lagos. The personal driver was also shot but survived because the assailants were primarily targeting the NURTW official.
The burial drew a massive crowd, with mourners from Fadeyi, Mushin, Ketu, and other areas. Ebere noted that many people who had been helped by Toba Ijaya wept openly, including elderly women he supported with monthly salaries and children he sponsored in school.
Public Reaction and Tributes
The news of the driver's condition sparked reactions on social media. Pjay Nwanosike commented: "Go and watch the Irish man movie; you will have a clear view of why and what played out. The union business is a risky venture." Oresanya Fela asked: "This man's story has been abuzz on the net for some days now. Ebere, have you ever met him in person before his passage?" Ahmed Dayour simply said: "May his soul rest in peace."
Ebere's post also highlighted the impact of Toba Ijaya's death, stating: "So many people he had helped and was still helping WEPT. Many elderly women he placed on monthly salaries, kids he was training in schools, so many people. THEIR LIGHT JUST CUT BLOWN OUT."
Broader Context
In a related development, a new hospital photo of Toba Ijaya emerged days after his fatal shooting, and his associate Yeye Kudi offered a different perspective on what may have happened after the attack. The tragic event has continued to evoke sadness across Lagos State.
