Again, many injured in NURTW factional fracas in Lagos

Many people were injured Friday in a fracas that erupted between factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at the Toll-gate area on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. Daily Trust recalls that violence erupted on Lagos Island in January when two factions engaged themselves in a free-for-all in which about three persons died and […]

Many people were injured Friday in a fracas that erupted between factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at the Toll-gate area on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

Daily Trust recalls that violence erupted on Lagos Island in January when two factions engaged themselves in a free-for-all in which about three persons died and many injured.

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It was learnt that trouble began Friday when a faction led by one Istijabah led his boys to one of the motor parks in Agbado with an intention to take over control.

The move was swiftly resisted by the other faction and led to a fight during which guns and cutlasses were freely used.

The fracas grounded both human and vehicular movement in the area as traders locked up their shops for fear that urchins would seize the opportunity to loot their goods.

A commercial bus driver who simply identified himself as Kalu the union members left Ogun State for Lagos because of the ban on the activities of transport unions by the state government.

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, who confirmed the incident, said the fracas was a brewing conflict over ticketing.

“The place is calm. No threat to lives and property currently as the police are still maintaining their presence in the area,” he said.

Meanwhile, a member of the NURTW otherwise known as Oyo State Park Management System (PMS), Afiz Agate, was reportedly shot dead in a gun duel with a group identified as Federal Boys.

Daily Trust on Saturday learnt that the crisis started Thursday evening at the Oremeji Agugu area of the ancient city of Ibadan.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the PMS, Alhaji  Emiola Jelili, confirmed the incident but could not give a casualty figure.

He said, “There was no fight among us. What happened is that there are area boys called Federal Boys, they are not drivers but they extort drivers.

“We have reported them to the police at Agugu Police Station but nothing was done about it.  Some told us that the police could not do anything to them because some of the policemen connive with them.”

The Commandant of Amotekun in Oyo State, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (Retd), said one person died in the fight.

When contacted the Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, said he would get back. However, he had yet to do so as of press time.