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Tag: NURTW

  • SUSPENSION: NURTW dares Lagos govt, collects levy from commercial drivers

    SUSPENSION: NURTW dares Lagos govt, collects levy from commercial drivers

    Despite the Lagos State Government’s announcement that activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union, NURTW, from all parks and garages in the state were suspended, members of the union at Iyana-Ishashi, Iya-Nera and Agbara on Friday engaged in the collection of levy from commercial drivers.

     

    The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement on Thursday, said after considering the provisions of the law, the government hereby suspends the activities of NURTW.

     

    In his words: “The Lagos State Government has been watching closely events in the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW). There have been claims and counterclaims over the control of the union.

     

    “The Government has a duty to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Lagosians and visitors. Therefore, there is an urgent need to douse the unnecessary tension generated by the leadership tussle in the NURTW and protect the citizenry from the likely fallout of the situation.”

     

    However, TNG reporter observed that there was no compliance to the suspension by members of NURTW in certain areas of the state.

  • BREAKING: LASG suspends NURTW activities from parks

    BREAKING: LASG suspends NURTW activities from parks

    The Lagos State Government has suspended the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW) from all parks and garages in the state.

    The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, made this known in a statement late Thursday.

    ‘The Lagos State Government has been watching closely events in the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW). There have been claims and counter claims over the control of the union.

    ‘The Government has a duty to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Lagosians and visitors. Therefore, there is an urgent need to douse the unnecessary tension generated by the leadership tussle in the NURTW and protect the citizenry from the likely fallout of the situation’.

    ‘After considering the provisions of the law, the Government hereby suspends the activities of NURTW, which must cease to operate in all parks and garages in Lagos State. The Government will set up a Committee to immediately take control of the parks and garages. Members of the committee will be key stakeholders in the sector’.

    The Government’s position is premised on its responsibility to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in all parks and garages in Lagos State’.

    The crisis rocking the Lagos chapter of NURTW had led to the suspension of its chairman, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, by the national body.

  • Suspension: MC Oluomo withdraws Lagos NURTW branch from national body

    Suspension: MC Oluomo withdraws Lagos NURTW branch from national body

    Aftermath of his suspension from the national body of NURTW, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo, the suspended Lagos state Chairman has announced the withdrawal of members of the state council including himself, from the national body.

    The announcement was made at the state secretariat ,Agege on Thursday.

    Addressing a group of members Oloumo stated that he tried all he could to resolve amicably the crisis with the national body, but it didn’t work out.

    “There has been some crisis in our umbrella body, NURTW. All attempts to have an amicable resolution have failed. In fact. we have protested to the Lagos State Government about the State of affairs in our Union.

    “Being law-abiding and responsible citizens, we have decided to explore all avenues for peace in the interest of all, we will not support any action that can threaten the peace that we cherish so much in Lagos State.

    “Therefore, I, Comrade Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, on beha|f of the State Administrative Council, State Executive Council members and the entire union rank and file members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State Council with over 200 branches and zones hereby resolve to immediately withdraw our membership and operation from the National body of NURTW for peace to reign in Lagos State; write to Lagos State Governor, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation and other relevant agencies about our decision.

  • NURTW suspends MC Oluomo indefinitely

    NURTW suspends MC Oluomo indefinitely

    Reports reaching TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) has it that Alhaji Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oulomo has been suspended indefinitely for an act of insubordination by the national body of NURTW.

    MC Oluomo has been accused of inciting members against national leadership and fronting for Tricycle operators in Lagos.

    Recall that the national body of NURTW already queried Oluomo over his allege act of insurbodination.

    In his response to the query, Oluomo stated that he faithfully complied with the laws guiding the union’s operations and vowed: “never to do anything that will tarnish the image of the union nor bring the union back to the inglorious position of being branded as thugs and disturbers of the public peace in Lagos.”

    On allegation of using thugs to forcefully take over branches of his perceived enemies, Oluomo said nothing of such ever happened since he took over. Oluomo replies that he involves himself in promotion of peace and prevention of forceful takeover of branches.

    “One of the major achievements of this present executive under my leadership in Lagos State is the promotion of peace and prevention of forceful takeover of branches. If any of the Zonal Chairmen to whom the branches belong, however, bring the issue to our attention, same shall be investigated openly and the cause/reason determined,” he said

  • Court sends NURTW executive Kunle Poly to jail over Idumota Crisis

    Court sends NURTW executive Kunle Poly to jail over Idumota Crisis

    NURTW topshot in Lagos, Kunle Poly who has been remanded at Zone 2 headquarters of the Nigerian police ,Onikan -Lagos , for 30 days over the francas that ensued among NURTW Members in Idumota ,Lagos recently has now been sent to ikoyi prison by a Lagos court.

    At the expiration of his 30 days remand at Onikan police station , he was granted bail.

    But on Monday, the Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court ordered that he should be detained at Ikoyi for another 30 days.

    Lawal is being detained alongside one Adekanbi Wahab, aged 38.

    Kunle Poly was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, murder and membership of an unlawful society.

    Chief Magistrate Linda Balogun remanded them at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre, Lagos State.

    Although the charges were read to the defendants, their pleas were not taken.

    Balogun ordered that their further remand for 30 days pending advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution.

    Balogun ordered the further remand following an application by the prosecutor, Mr Morufu Animashaun, attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti.

    Balogun held that there was merit in the application.

    The alleged offences contravene Section 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and Section 3 of the Anti-cultism Law of Lagos State, 2021.

    The court adjourned the case until March 28 for mention

    Recall that a francas ensued amongst members of NURTW in idumota ,Lagos in January , some persons were feared killed while some got injured.

  • Lagos RRS arrests 7 traffic robbers

    Lagos RRS arrests 7 traffic robbers

    Officials of Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested three traffic robbers at Ikeja City Mall of the state.

    This was as National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mile 2 park assisted the police in arresting four notorious traffic robbers in the area.

    Four of the suspects, Segun Peters (22), Kabiru Odeh (25), Nurudeen Suraj (22) and Dennis Ikuvbogie (24) were arrested at Mile 2 while having a field day.

    Other suspects, Anifowoshe Kolawole (20), Patrick Ameke (21) and John Britto (27) were picked around Ikeja City Mall based on complaints on their illicit activities around the area.

    The suspects, who were placed under close monitoring before their arrest on Thursday afternoon, on most occasions pretend to be beggars and nose mask vendors.

    “The suspects used the ploy to rob motorists and pedestrians visiting the complex,” RRS asserted.

  • BBNaija star, White Money visits MC Oluomo

    BBNaija star, White Money visits MC Oluomo

    Big Brother Naija Season 6 winner, Hazel Oyeze Onoduenyi a.k.a Whitemoney has visited the Lagos State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo.

    He confessed that it was nice having him around.

    He wrote: “I was surprised when the winner of bbnaija season 6 Hazel Oyeze Onoduenyi A.k.a Whitemoney @whitemoney pay me a courtesy visit. I had a fruitful discussion with him and I must confess it’s nice having him around. Thanks, @olufunmilagos for making this happen. wishing you more height and success.”

  • LASG suspends NURTW activities on Lagos Island indefinitely

    LASG suspends NURTW activities on Lagos Island indefinitely

    The Lagos State Government (LASG) has suspended the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) activities at Eyin Eyo, Church Street and Idumota Bridge indefinitely due to the recent violence in those areas.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, made the disclosure in a statement, signed by the Asst. Director, Public Affairs of the Ministry of Transportation, Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola, in Lagos on Tuesday.

    Fayinka said that the meeting comprising the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Central Business District (CBD) and Lagos State Market Women Association (Iya Oloja General and Iya Oloja of Lagos Island) at the Bagauda Kaltho Press center was called to tackle crisis often caused by the activities of the union.

    He said that the Lagos State suspended the NURTW activities in a bid to fulfill one of the cardinal objectives of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the present administration in Lagos State as it relates to Security and Good Governance under Traffic Management and Transportation.

    Fayinka meted out the ban to prevent further acts of violence at idumota, adding that the Lagos State Parks Monitoring Authority would resume at Eyin Eyo.

    He further stated that the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) would station an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) on Idumota Bridge to deter motorists from driving against traffic which is in conflict with traffic Rules and Regulations.

    Fayinka said that the RRS would also be available to enforce the suspension of the NURTW within the axis and simultaneously flush out the Oju Opake boys lurking along Plaza around Church Street axis.

    He said LASG would also suspend the activities of the transport union at Church Street and John Street, particularly Keke Marwa and Mini Buses (Korope).

    The Transport Special Adviser added that the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), in collaboration with the State Police Command, would ensure Safety of lives in the area.

    “The State Security Operatives are hereby put on Red Alert to ensure Safety and Security of lives and property in Lagos Island and environs,” Fayinka stated.

    Appreciating the position just taken by State Government, the Iya Oloja, Lagos Island, Alhaja Risikat Odumosu, expressed displeasure at the wanton looting and destruction of their goods in shops around Idumota area.

    She pleaded with the State Government to come to their rescue, adding that they will not stand back and watch their properties destroyed by miscreants whom they had never seen before.

  • Fracas: Accord Party wants Sanwo-Olu to proscribe NURTW

    Fracas: Accord Party wants Sanwo-Olu to proscribe NURTW

    The Lagos State chapter of the Accord Party has called on Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to proscribe the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following repeated violence by its members.

    Newsmen reports that factional members of the union on Thursday on Lagos Island attacked one another, leaving many injured including traders and commuters.

    The fracas, which extended to Friday, left some people dead and paralysed business activities in the area.

    The Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Dele Oladeji, reacting to the development in a statement on Saturday, called on Sanwo-Olu to tame the members of the NURTW by proscribing the union with immediate effect.

    Oladeji said: “Again, the members of the NURTW were enmeshed in a deadly fight on Lagos Island which was reported to have resulted in the untimely death of some four youths.

    “This deadly clash created a security scare, in which innocent and hardworking residents of Lagos had to scamper into shops, crevices, under tables and inside gutters for dear lives.

    “Many rushed into shops and were locked in with the shop owners, just to stay away from stray bullets or being caught up in the fracas.

    “Traders were forced to shut down their businesses, which led to the loss of transactions running into billions of naira.

    “We advise the Lagos State governor to, with immediate effect, proscribe the NURTW for a peaceful and safe Lagos city.”

    The spokesman said that the recent violence was one too many among the members of the NURTW in Lagos State.

    Oladeji said that though members of the union were always in the habit of killing themselves during such fracas, their action had always defied the security set up in Lagos State and had always created a state of insecurity among residents.

    “Ask an average resident of Lagos, and they will tell you they live and commute in utter fright of these ‘union boys’ daily on the streets and roads.

    “Gov. Sanwo-Olu should rise up in service to residents of the state and proscribed these lawless groups for a safer Lagos State,” he added.

    He said that NURTW factions were known to frequently engage in free-for-all overpower tussles at different locations and parks.

    However, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, was quoted as saying that normalcy had returned to Idumota and its environs on Lagos Island.

    Also, the Lagos State Government had appealed to the warring parties which it identified as members of the NURTW to stop their violent acts.

    Mr Gbenga Oyerinde, the Special Adviser to Gov. Sanwo-Olu on Central Business Districts, said that security operatives had been mandated to arrest and prosecute anybody breaching the peace in a statement he released.

  • NDLEA nabs NURTW chairman, 3 others over drug trafficking

    NDLEA nabs NURTW chairman, 3 others over drug trafficking

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested a chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ijero local government area of Ekiti state, Babatunde Babade, 45, along with two others; Ilesanmi Shola, 35, and Babajide Johnson, 45, for trafficking illicit drug.

    NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement said the transport union leader was caught with 52.5kilograms of skunk in Akure, the Ondo state capital following intelligence that he was conveying bags of the banned drug in his 1997 model blue Mazda car with registration number: Ekiti JER194 AE from Akure to Ekiti state.

    According to him, “Babade, popularly called BB, was taken into custody along with others soon after his arrest at about 2pm on July 18, 2021 for interrogation.

    “In his statement, he admitted he owns the vehicle used for conveying the drug.”

    The NDLEA further said the car was earlier intercepted by some security agents who detained the two other suspects, his car and eight bags containing cannabis sativa while his brother who drove the vehicle fled.

    He, however, claimed that following Babade’s intervention, the security agents released the suspects and his car to him after taking two of the eight bags containing the drug and N60,000 from him, before he later ran into NDLEA officers while on his way back to Ekiti.

    Meanwhile, officers of the Benue State command of the agency have intercepted another suspected interstate drug trafficker, 29-year-old Odinaka Ugwuanyi along Apir road, Makurdi with 124,000 tablets of Tramadol, Diazepam and Exol-5, all weighing 22.55 kilograms.

    The suspect arrested at about 8am on Saturday, July 17, 2021 in a commercial vehicle, said he is from Nsukka local government area of Enugu State.

    He, however, claimed another passenger he knows who sat next to him in the vehicle dropped the bag containing the drugs with him and fled upon sighting NDLEA officers.