A violent altercation between rival factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers reportedly left one person dead and numerous others hurt on Tuesday in Garki II, the Federal Capital Territory’s Sapele Crescent, off Ladoke Akintola Boulevard.
Additionally, according to information obtained by our correspondent, the FCT Police Command detained roughly 23 male suspects and found three firearms during the bloody battle between the two factions.
The conflict, which is thought to be the result of an ongoing power struggle within the union, started when suspected supporters of Tajudeen Baruwa, the factional president, tried to enter the NURTW’s headquarters, which is currently being used by the Lagos Park Management Committee, which is led by the former NURTW Vice President Tajudeen Agbede.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Haruna Garba, confirmed the death of one of the rioters while discussing the altercation with reporters on Tuesday.
In addition to the 23 criminals that were apprehended, three rifles were also found, according to Garba, who claimed that the police had brought tranquility back to the neighborhood.
“So far, 23 individuals have been detained, but only one person has died: a male who has not yet been named. Additionally, three rifles were found, according to CP Garba.
Meanwhile, sources with knowledge of the disputes inside the union reported that after the altercation on Tuesday, two members of Baruwa’s faction were slain and a number of others were sent to hospitals.
The source reported that “two people from Baruwa’s camp died today (Tuesday) during the clash at the NURTW headquarters.”
Two people were allegedly slain during the altercation, according to a different source who did not want to be named out of fear of being victimized.
Yes, two of Baruwa’s boys were slain during the altercation because police prevented them from entering the office to confront Agbede’s boys, the source confirmed. Agbede’s group had protection from the police, according to a second source.
Remember that Baruwa previously disclosed that he unsuccessfully attempted to get the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Labour Congress to step in and resolve the conflict within the union.
“We shall henceforth not hesitate to defend our mandate with the last drop of our blood,” Baruwa had earlier vowed while accusing former NURTW leaders of illegally occupying the National Secretariat of the union.
He had vowed and stressed that only a court of competent jurisdiction could invalidate his mandate while encouraging aggrieved members to follow due process for redress.
He further accused the former president of the union, Najeem Yasin, and ex-VP Agbede of holding illegal meetings with selected past leaders of the union.