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Tag: NURTW

  • Gunmen invade Lagos APC rally, shoot NURTW Vice Chairman dead

    The Vice-Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Samuel Kayode, popularly known as Ekpo Kinkin, has been killed at the Agboju area of Lagos State.

    According to reports, Kayode who was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress was at a rally organised by the party at Oriade Local Development Area of the state when the gunmen invaded the rally on Thursday and shot him dead.

    Eyewitnesses said a gunshot was heard from the crowd outside while the rally was on, forcing residents involved at the rally to scamper to safety.

    When those inside the hall rushed to the scene, Kayode was found in the pool of his blood.

    Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the NURTW confirmed the incident to The Punch, noting that the deceased was trying to protect a fellow politician when he was killed.

    “He was protecting a fellow politician, Wale Yusuf, from harassment when the gunmen shot him dead,” said Jimoh Buhari, the spokesman for the NURTW Chairman, Musiliu Akinsanya.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, is yet to react to the ugly incident.

  • BREAKING: NURTW, okada riders clash in Lagos

    BREAKING: NURTW, okada riders clash in Lagos

    Motorcyclists, made up of mostly Hausa riders clashed with members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State on Monday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the clash happened in the Iyana-Iba area of Ojo, but Jubril Gawat, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu says the situation has been brought under control.

    According to eyewitnesses, the clash started when Hausa okada riders gathered themselves to protest constant harassment by the union members after an Hausa motorcyclist was allegedly beaten and stabbed to death.

    The fight which began with exchange of stones between members of the union and the motorcyclists soon degenerated into a full blown crisis, as sporadic gunshots were heard at the scene.

    “The clash was between members of the transport union and the okada riders. Police have brought the situation under control. It’s not a tribal issue please. All Clear now,” Gawat tweeted.

  • Just in: Akeredolu orders indefinite suspension of NURTW activities in Ondo

    Just in: Akeredolu orders indefinite suspension of NURTW activities in Ondo

    Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has ordered the indefinite suspension of all activities of the state’s chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

    The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale, also ordered the NURTW members to immediately vacate all motor parks across the state.

    The government described the clash as unruly and uncultured behaviour of the union leaders which resulted in violent attacks on members and innocent citizens.

    The government, however, said the indefinite suspension did not affect Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria who comported themselves in a peaceful manner.

  • Ondo NURTW members clash, two feared dead

    Ondo NURTW members clash, two feared dead

    Two persons were feared killed on Tuesday following a clash between two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Akure, Ondo State capital.

    An eyewitness told Channels Television that the clash which started around 8 a.m was bloody, with some persons matcheted and about two persons feared dead.

    The witness added that the commercial drivers were armed with dangerous weapons and attacked themselves.

    Vehicles were vandalised in the clash while traders, commuters as well as pedestrians scamper for safety.

    The Ondo State government had earlier on Monday, last week, suspended the activities of the Road Transport Employers (RTEAN), and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

    Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Special Duties, Doyin Odebowale made the announcement noting that the suspension of drivers union operations in the state.

    This decision by the government according to Odebowale was to allow the unions to meet and settle their differences, thereby preventing violent clashes among them.

    The Spokesperson of Ondo State Police Command, DSP Tee-Leo Ikoro confirmed the clash to Channels Television.

    Ikoro, however, notes that there’s no confirmation that anyone died during the clash, adding that police detachment has been drafted to the troubled spots to restore peace.

    Meanwhile, The PPRO says no arrest has been made in connection with the violent clash.

  • Disband NURTW in Lagos State now-Lagos Prominent Indigenes Group Urges SanwoOlu.

    Disband NURTW in Lagos State now-Lagos Prominent Indigenes Group Urges SanwoOlu.

    The Lagos State Prominent Indigenes Group has urged Governor Babajide SanwoOlu to immediately disband all activities of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State. The NURTW it noted, is fast becoming a menace to the entire people of the state and moving towards becoming another Boko Haram in the country.

     

    This view was expressed in a strongly-worded Press statement in Lagos yesterday, and signed by it’s spokesman, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, socio-political activist and critic.

    The group pointed out that a frontline state that prides itself a megacity in the country, former federal capital and presently a commercial capital of Nigeria, cannot be seen entertaining and promoting our youths into thuggery.

    “Very recently in the state, Lagos Island precisely Obalende, was shut down by warring factions of the Union for over two days and the state did nothing to prosecute those responsible for this show of shame.

    The union has now become another government in the state, collecting money at every sport and harassing comercial motor drivers as well as innocent citizens.

     

    “We are fast building monsters that cannot be tamed. Their activities can no longer be tolerated in a mega city like Lagos”, the prominent Lagos Indigenes warned.

     

    According to the group, the people of the state can no longer tolerate a situation where our youths freely use guns and matches on the streets. The taxes being collected by the Unions on our roads are used to purchase drugs and weapons.

     

     

    “These taxes ordinarily should have gone to our local governments to build more roads, provide potable water and electricity for our teeming and restive youths.

     

     

    “Besides, the taxes can be used to provide education and health facilities for our people.

    No wonder governance is far removed from our Lagosians.

     

     

    “Our people no longer feel the presence of government inspite of the huge and multiple taxes paid.We need to redirect the energy of our Youths to patriotism and nation building”, the group stated.

     

     

    The group advised that the tolls being wrongly collected by NURTW can be used to provide jobs for our teeming and restive youths.

     

     

    “Let us copy from the good examples laid down by Oyo and Ondo states that have disbanded their NURTW. NOW that politics is around the corner we cannot afford to arm our youths with uncontrollable weapons and thus build banditry in our dear state.

     

    “NURTW is a few steps to Boko Haram. To be fore warned is to be fore armed.

    Chief Sunbo onitiri

     

    “The insecurity in the country has reached alarming situation that something urgent must be done. The rich and the poor can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed.

     

    “Let us empower our youths to more positive direction and not turn them into miscreants and thugs,” the group advised.

  • Why we fought with MC Oluomo’s NURTW boys at Obalende – RTEAN

    Why we fought with MC Oluomo’s NURTW boys at Obalende – RTEAN

    The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Lagos has called on the state government to urgently intervene in the fracas between it and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

    Some members of NURTW and RTEAN had on Thursday morning at Obalende Motor Park on Lagos Island, engaged in a free-for-all over control of the garage.

    The police later restored normalcy.

    The state NURTW Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (aka MC Oluomo), claimed that the fight occurred because members of RTEAN attacked NURTW members in a bid to take over the motor park.

    But the Publicity Secretary of RTEAN, Alhaji Abdulrahman Amusan, told journalists on Thursday in Lagos claimed that the fight occurred because members of NURTW attempted to dislodge members of his union from their area of operations at Obalende.

    “We want the Lagos State Government to, as a matter of urgency, intervene in the matter. We are for peace, we have been working in Obalende for many years without any problem.

    “We are owners, we are not touts, we love and cherish peace. We want our members to maintain peace and ensure law and order no matter the provocations,” the RTEAN spokesman said.

    He claimed that the fight occurred because members of NURTW attempted to dislodge RTEAN members from their area of operations at Obalende.

    According to him, RTEAN members resisted the attempt and it resulted in the fight.

    “We have been working at Obalende for long. All of a sudden, on Monday, members of the NURTW encroached into the area of operations of RTEAN.

    “This morning when they came, they met with resistance from our members there, and that led to the fracas.

    “We had been co-existing for so many years,”

  • Police arrest six, invite transport union leaders over Obalende chaos

    Police arrest six, invite transport union leaders over Obalende chaos

    The Lagos State Police Command, on Thursday, said it arrested six suspected hoodlums responsible for the unrest in the Obalende area of the state.

    It was earlier reported that gunshots were heard this morning when two rival transport unions –National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Road Transport Employers’ Association Of Nigeria –clashed in Obalende.

    The development caused chaos in the ever-busy area as motorists and commuters scampered to safety.

    However, police spokesperson in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement hours after the incident, said normalcy has been restored to the area.

    He also said the leaders of the warring unions have been invited for interrogation.

    Adejobi said, “The Command has deployed resources to disperse and suppress the hoodlums fomenting troubles at Obalende area of Lagos State. Normalcy has been restored to the area.

    “Based on preliminary findings, the crisis, that occurred today Thursday 11th February 2021, was between transport unions in the area and no life was lost.

    “Six (6) suspected hoodlums have been arrested and handed over to state CID, Panti, Yaba for discreet investigation.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has warned that the command will not condone any act of lawlessness and criminality in the state. He however directed the area commander Area A, Lion Building, ACP Bode Ojajuni, to intensify efforts on flushing the hoodlums out of the area and on the Lagos Island in general, with the available recourses deployed to the area command.

    “The leaders of transport unions in the area, however, have been invited for interrogation and further actions.”

  • BREAKING: Chaos in Lagos State as rival NURTW groups clash [VIDEO]

    BREAKING: Chaos in Lagos State as rival NURTW groups clash [VIDEO]

    Rival groups of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Thursday clashed in Obalende area of Lagos State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the clash led to panic in the area as motorists, passengers and passersby scampered for safety.

    Gunshots were fired and Lagosians have been advised to avoid the area until there is relative calm.

    Sources say the clash started at 8am and lasted till past 9am when security operatives intervened and brought the situation under control.

    Though there has been no reported casualty from the clash, some injuries have been reported while scores of properties have reportedly been destroyed.

    Commuters at the time of the clash were stranded and had to scamper to their safety while passersby were advised to take other routes. Workers and residents of the community also fear the clash may escalate.

    https://twitter.com/DE_COMMUNICATOR/status/1359771235744423944?s=19

     

  • Ogun State reiterates ban of NURTW in parks, garages

    Ogun State Government has reiterated that it has banned the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in all motor parks and garages in the State.

    In a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Waheed Odusile, Ogun State Government warned the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and their operatives to stay away from all parks and garages in the state to avoid incurring the full wrath of the law.

    Odusile noted that it the reiteration became necessary in view of intelligence reports by the security agencies that the union was planning to resume collection of dues and revenues on behalf of the government at the motor parks and garages in the state.

    This administration has been methodical and deliberate in its approach to maintaining peace at the motor parks as well as management of transport union activities, and will not allow anyone to undermine the prevailing peaceful environment

    This is, however, against the existing decision of the government that bans the activities of the transport workers in all the motor parks and garages in the state.

    The statement maintained that following crisis in the leadership of the NURTW in the State that threatened the security of lives and properties, particularly public transport in the State.

    House of Assembly, in June 2020, passed a resolution suspending the activities of the union

    “The government has banned the activities of the union in all motor parks and garages in the State. Security agencies have been given a firm directive to arrest and prosecute any operative of the NURTW or indeed anyone, group or association that has not been approved by the government to act on its behalf that attempts to defy the decision of the government or test its resolve to maintain peace and security in all parts of the state, including the motor parks.

    “Unlike what obtained in the past, this administration has been methodical and deliberate in its approach to maintaining peace at the motor parks as well as management of transport union activities, and will not allow anyone to undermine the prevailing peaceful environment,” it stated.

    It would be recalled that the House of Assembly, in June 2020, passed a resolution suspending the activities of the union.

  • Lagos NURTW boss, MC Oluomo loses mum

    Lagos NURTW boss, MC Oluomo loses mum

    Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State Council, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (aka MC Oluomo) has lost his mother, Alhaji Zinat Abebi Omotowo.

    MC Oluomo told newsmen that she passed on around 7am Thursday.

    She was aged 87.

    The Janazah (interment) was held at the Akinsanya’s Lagos home near Ejigbo NNPC in accordance with the Islamic rites.

    The late Alhaja Zinat was said to have observed the Solatul Subh (Morning Prayer) before she passed on.