Nigeria’s labour community is in mourning following the sudden and tragic death of veteran activist and labour icon, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Ogun State.

The incident occurred on Sunday, October 12, 2025, in Ifo, when the 65-year-old was reportedly struck by a speeding vehicle while crossing the road near his residence around 6 p.m. The driver fled the scene immediately, leaving Aremu fatally injured.

In the wake of his death, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have both expressed deep sorrow and outrage, calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

In a statement issued by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the union described Aremu as “a titan of the workers’ struggle, an organic intellectual, and a lifelong defender of the oppressed.”

Ajaero noted that Aremu’s activism was rooted in his commitment to justice and equality for Nigeria’s working people, adding that his death must not be dismissed as a random accident.

“The circumstances of his death, a so-called ‘hit-and-run,’ bear the marks of a suspicious pattern, reminiscent of the untimely death of another valiant comrade, Patrick Naagbanton. The NLC demands an immediate, transparent, and thorough investigation by the federal and state governments into this heinous act,” the statement read.

Aremu, a leading member of the Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO) and a co-founder of the Joint Action Front (JAF), was celebrated for building bridges between organised labour and the broader masses in Nigeria’s pro-democracy and workers’ movements.

The NLC statement also compared his death to that of other activists who died under mysterious circumstances, describing it as “a painful reminder of the risks faced by those who dare to speak truth to power.”

In its own tribute, NUPENG described Aremu as an “irreplaceable pillar of workers’ liberation” and a “moral compass for the labour movement.”

The union’s president, Prince Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, praised his role in establishing key platforms such as LASCO and the Kolagbodi Memorial Foundation, which have advanced labour education and solidarity across Africa.

“Aremu was not just a leader, he was the very conscience of the struggle, an inimitable force whose life was a testament to unwavering commitment to the emancipation of the working class and the oppressed globally,” NUPENG said.

Tributes have also poured in from civil society groups, including the Afrikan Movement for Freedom and Justice (AMFJ), which hailed him as “a beacon of ideological clarity and a true Pan-Africanist.”

AMFJ’s spokesperson, Afrikanus Ande, noted that Aremu’s lifelong teachings on equity, justice, and collective ownership inspired generations of activists and students.

“At a time when ideological clarity is fading among students, workers, youth, artisans, and peasants, Aremson rekindled the flame of revolutionary thought,” the group declared.

As the nation grieves, the call for justice grows louder. Labour leaders insist that a man who dedicated his life to defending others must not have his death ignored or forgotten.

In their words, Abiodun Aremu’s voice may be silenced, but his struggle lives on — as a rallying cry for justice, equality, and a better Nigeria.