A commercial tricycle rider, identified as Paul Adams Shaibu, has reportedly died in Lokoja after a stone allegedly thrown at a truck during an altercation involving members of the Kogi State Toll Gate task force struck him in the back of the head.
The incident reportedly occurred around 11am on Saturday, August 22, 2026, around the Zone 8 area of Lokoja, during an argument between a truck driver and tollgate workers.
Eyewitnesses said members of the Kogi State Toll Gate task force were pursuing the truck driver when stones were allegedly thrown at the vehicle. One of the stones reportedly struck Shaibu, who had stopped to pick up passengers.
A tricycle rider at the scene, who identified himself as John, said the victim collapsed and was immediately rushed to the hospital.
“We saw the Keke Napep rider come and park, waiting to pick up more passengers. Suddenly, confusion ensued and, before we discovered what was going on, the Keke Napep man was down in a pool of blood,” he said.
He added that the stone allegedly struck Shaibu at the back of his head, affecting his brain.
“We took him to the hospital where he was confirmed dead,” he said.
However, the Kogi State Police Command said the incident occurred when some members of the Kogi State Toll Gate attempted to stop a truck and stones were thrown at the vehicle.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said two tollgate workers, identified as James Augustine, 30, and Abu Mundi, had been arrested in connection with the incident.
According to the police, the workers were attempting to stop a truck alleged to have violated traffic regulations and damaged property within the tollgate area when stones were thrown at the vehicle.
“In the course of the attempt to stop the truck, stones were reportedly thrown at the vehicle. One of the stones allegedly struck a commercial tricycle rider, identified as Paul Adams Shaibu, who was rushed to the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, where he was subsequently confirmed dead while receiving treatment,” the statement said.
The police said decisive steps had been taken following the incident, adding that the two suspects were assisting with the investigation.
“Statements have been obtained from the complainant, while cautionary statements have also been obtained from the suspects. The stone allegedly used in the incident has been recovered and secured as an exhibit,” Afusat said.
The statement added that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre Mortuary, Lokoja, for autopsy.
The case, according to the police, has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further discreet investigation and necessary legal action.
