There was pandemonium in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Tuesday when two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed on Sapele Crescent, off Ladoke Akintola Boulevard in Garki Il.
Gunshots were reported during the conflict but it was no clear if any casualty was recorded at the time of filing this report.
The conflict underlines the escalating tension within the NURTW, a development that observers say requires urgent intervention to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
According to sources, a clash broke out when supporters of NURTW President, Prof. Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, marched towards the union’s national headquarters which is currently occupied by the Lagos Park Management Committee led by Tajudeen Badru Agbede.
“As you may be aware, members of the Lagos Park Management Committee, led by Agbede, forcefully occupied the Secretariat a few weeks ago, displacing the president and other executives.
“Therefore, supporters of the current president mobilized themselves to forcibly remove Agbede and his group.
“However, they were met by a police blockade which resulted in a violent confrontation creating heightened and tensions.
EShots were fired, intensifying the gravity of the crisis,” an eyewitness disclosed to journalists.
Baruwa had been seeking intervention from the police and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to resolve the situation, without
confrontation. Shots were fired, intensifying the gravity of the crisis,” an eyewitness disclosed.
Baruwa had been seeking intervention from the police and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to resolve the situation, without success.
“We shall henceforth not hesitate to defend our mandate with the last drop
of our blood,” Baruwa had earlier vowed, accusing former NURTW leaders of illegally occupying the National Secretariat of the union.
