Two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed on Sapele Crescent, off Ladoke Akintola Boulevard in Abuja, resulting in one fatality.
Sources reported that supporters of NURTW President Tajudeen Baruwa marched to the union’s secretariat, which is currently occupied by the Lagos Park Management Committee led by Tajudeen Agbede.
“As you may be aware, members of 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 president mobilized to forcibly remove Agbede and his group.
“However, they were met by a police blockade, resulting in a violent confrontation. Shots were fired,” an eyewitness said.
Baruwa had been seeking intervention from the police and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to resolve the situation.
“We shall not hesitate to defend our mandate,” Baruwa vowed, accusing former NURTW leaders of illegally occupying the secretariat.
Former union President Najeem Yasin and former national vice president Agbede were accused of holding illegal meetings with past leaders by Baruwa. Additionally, Baruwa alleged that the police seem to favor the Lagos Park Management Committee.
He requested the intervention of the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, and the Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi.
Baruwa noted only a court of competent jurisdiction can invalidate their mandate and encouraged aggrieved members to follow due process and seek legal redress.
