Gunshots As NURTW Factions Clash In Abuja
Chaos occurred in the Garki area of the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday after a violent clash between two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Sapele Crescent, off Ladoke Akintola Boulevard, Garki II, Abuja.
The conflict underlines a current dispute within the NURTW, a development which observers states needs urgent intervention by the federal government, to prevent further breakdown of law and order, especially in the nation’s capital city.
It was reported that a clash broke out when supporters of the NURTW President, Tajudeen Baruwa, marched towards the union’s national headquarters, which is at the moment, occupied by the Lagos Park Management Committee led by Tajudeen Agbede.
“We shall henceforth not hesitate to defend our mandate with the last drop of our blood,” Baruwa had initially vowed while accusing former NURTW leaders of illegally occupying the National Secretariat of the union.
He maintained that only a court of competent jurisdiction can invalidate his mandate, and encouraged aggrieved members to follow due process and seek legal redress, warning that anything short of this could lead to anarchy.
He further accused the former president of the union, Najeem Yasin, and Agbede, the former National Vice President, of holding illegal meetings with selected past leaders of the union.
While pleading with the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, and Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, to intervene in the matter, he alleged that the police seem to be working in favour of the Lagos Park Management Committee.
Eyewitnesses disclosed that the transport union members fired several gunshots in the air during the conflict, which further caused heightened tension in the area.
