₦airaland Forum

The Tragic Assassination of Saka Saula (Jesus ti o ni ige): Lagos’ Influential NURTW Leader

An account of the life, career, and untimely death of Saka Saula, a powerful figure in Lagos’ transport union landscape.

Saka Saula, popularly known as “Jesu tí o ní ìgè”, was a formidable figure in Lagos’ transport sector and a former acting Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos Chapter. His death in 2008 sent shockwaves across the state, temporarily halting commercial transport activities in some areas of Lagos.

Early Life and Career

Born around 1963, Saula began his journey in Lagos in 1976 as a bus conductor, a humble position that marked the start of his climb through the ranks of the transportation industry. He later trained and became a driver, before joining the NURTW, where he steadily rose through the hierarchy.

Within the union, Saula first became a supervisor of motor parks and later the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for his branch. His leadership qualities propelled him to the position of Vice Chairman of NURTW’s Alimosho Branch ‘A’. Eventually, he was appointed Chairman of the caretaker committee, becoming one of the most influential figures in Lagos’ transport sector.

Wealth and Influence

At the peak of his career, Saula was widely regarded as one of the most powerful and wealthy union leaders in Lagos. Reports suggested he earned a daily income of approximately four hundred thousand naira, owned five SUVs, including two Hummers, and ensured his five children studied abroad.

His influence extended beyond the union, as he maintained close political ties with Lagos State authorities. In 2007, the Lagos State Government, through the Lagos Area Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), sponsored him on a trip to Colombia, Brazil, and other South American nations to study their Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, further cementing his status as a key figure in urban transport development.

Assassination

Tragically, Saula’s life was cut short on January 6, 2008, when he was assassinated at the age of 45. According to reports, he had just returned from work around 9:30 pm when two commercial motorcyclists engaged him in conversation in front of his house. Meanwhile, four armed men had already arrived at his gate, blending in by casually purchasing cigarettes at a nearby kiosk.

The assailants waited until Saula was distracted by the motorcyclists before opening fire, striking him in the chest. He attempted to flee but was chased until he collapsed in a roadside gutter. The attackers reportedly ensured he had died before leaving the scene.

Saula’s assassination highlighted the dangers faced by influential figures in Lagos’ commercial transport sector and remains a notable and tragic moment in the history of the NURTW.

Personal Life

Saka Saula was a father of five children, all of whom reportedly pursued education abroad. Details about his early family life remain limited in public records.

Legacy

Saka Saula is remembered as a powerful and influential union leader who rose from humble beginnings to dominate Lagos’ NURTW landscape. His assassination underscores the violent challenges and risks often associated with leadership in Nigeria’s transport unions.

Sources

1. YorubaBlog – “The Life and Assassination of Saka Saula”

2. Premium Times Nigeria – Reports on NURTW Leadership (2008)

3. The Nation Nigeria – Coverage of Lagos Transport Union Incidents

You live by violence, you die by violence.

RIP to boss Temitope Olatoye A.K.A Sugar. The mentor

Modified: Whenever I praised Late Sugar, some people always think I was one his boys. Hell No

I knew Sugar before he became powerful. He was a friend to my brothers. His closest friend then was living opposite my house so he always come around. When my brothers finished and left the area, Sugar was still around and he acted as my big bro.

I was never part of Opc group or part of his boys but was closed to him than some of his boys self.

When it comes to leadership, you have to give it to Sugar. I never for once witnessed his boys fighting or having any issue with their boss. He was accommodative upon how notorious he was

What is the plan for the actual

This is not even interesting. Go and read about the assassination of Alhaji Gay in Lagos in 2015. How Alhaji Gay terrorized guys in Lagos, rapes boys on a daily, use EFCC officials to terrorize guys, he's the one who taught EFCC how to burst houses in the middle of the night. Anytime they arrest so called yahoo boys he rapes them before jailing them Lol

Uhm. I remember this guy. He had two children in my secondary school back the ln in Ogun State but the children hardly see him

After his death was when MC Oluomo who Tinubu supports started lording Lagos NURTW, was his death related to Lagos politics and Tinubu's control for Lagos thuggery and election rigging?

I no fit forget the incident for Iyana-ipaja
Omoh! People like the man
This man death pain many people for Iyana-ipaja

Like 5 months ago they kpai another NURTW guy for Orelope bus stop Egbeda side, That guy death pain many Orelope people., the guy death pain me too, The guy was the Nicest guy in Orelope NURTW group

The guy was always happy, his white and green uniform dey always look neat and ironed, the guy dey even pay some passagers transport fare

The assassin dey abuja now.

Na funsho William own pained me pass

Dog eat dog business leads to many other unholy acts.

He must have rose through the ranks by violent means.

Just saying though, cannot actually confirm.

Brendaniel:
After his death was when MC Oluomo who Tinubu supports started lording Lagos NURTW, was his death related to Lagos politics and Tinubu's control for Lagos thuggery and election rigging?

You point in all right directions. IGE, etc. All questionable occurrence

That shocking news lo far those days.

helinues:
You live by violence, you die by violence.

RIP to boss Temitope Olatoye A.K.A Sugar. The mentor

Sugar na your boss & mentor? Lobatan

"Live by the sword, die by the sword."

Nawa oo
Just like yesterday .

Just wasted the guy for nothing, the BRT they did it for has contributed minimally. Awon Eso, Coded, hamburger.

These are legacies of a community!
From Bus Conductor - Driver - Motor Park Supervisor - Branch Vice-chairman - Acting Chairman - State Chairman etal.

Mc oluomo




Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Brendaniel:
After his death was when MC Oluomo who Tinubu supports started lording Lagos NURTW, was his death related to Lagos politics and Tinubu's control for Lagos thuggery and election rigging?

You're wrong!

After his death, Alh. Rafiu Akanni Olohunwa became the NURTW PRESIDENT in Lagos chapter. MC then na still small boy and noise maker. All his influence no pass OSHODI.

After OLOHUNWA, AGBEDE emerged as the chairman. MC didn't even become chairman directly, he had to use his boys to proscribe the union first and the Lagos State Govt then set up a PARK & GARRAGE COMMITTEE nonsense which paved the way for him.

If you remove TINUBU's support, MC for no really get level for Lagos union. People wey fit swallow am whole full ground. No be ordinary KUNLE POLY whyne am for rally? Wey dem dey chuck chuck am. Or you no hear scores?

Say no to thuggery!

His death was terrible back then..

Brendaniel:
After his death was when MC Oluomo who Tinubu supports started lording Lagos NURTW, was his death related to Lagos politics and Tinubu's control for Lagos thuggery and election rigging?

Watery propaganda. You’re not informed at all..

Tinubu does not even know Mc before he became Lagos Governor..

Jagaban. Very dirty mofo

helinues:
You live by violence, you die by violence.

RIP to boss Temitope Olatoye A.K.A Sugar. The mentor

Is this the same sugar in Oshiele

NURTW Leaders are all Abikus.

All living on borrowed times.

Termac takeover wars can take them out anytime.

This guy was on a mission to buy all the houses around ogba back then.

These people ehnn,,just dey chop money yafun yafun

ravensckar:
You're wrong!

After his death, Alh. Rafiu Akanni Olohunwa became the NURTW PRESIDENT in Lagos chapter. MC then na still small boy and noise maker. All his influence no pass OSHODI.

After OLOHUNWA, AGBEDE emerged as the chairman. MC didn't even become chairman directly, he had to use his boys to proscribe the union first and the Lagos State Govt then set up a PARK & GARRAGE COMMITTEE nonsense which paved the way for him.

If you remove TINUBU's support, MC for no really get level for Lagos union. People wey fit swallow am whole full ground. No be ordinary KUNLE POLY whyne am for rally? Wey dem dey chuck chuck am. Or you no hear scores?

Say no to thuggery!

up road, up national

unity and progress

And what does his nickname mean with jesus in it?

Very powerful man then. Life sha