Gunshots, tension as rival NURTW factions clash in Osun motor parks

Gunshots, Tension as Rival NURTW Factions Clash in Osun Motor Parks
There was panic in several motor parks across Osogbo, Osun State, on Monday after rival factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed during a protest.

The crisis started when a faction of the union led by Kazeem Oyewale staged a protest against the leadership of the Osun NURTW chairman, Nurudeen Alowonle.

The protesters, accompanied by police officers, moved through major roads in Osogbo before arriving at Old Garage Motor Park, where they met members of Alowonle’s faction. The situation quickly turned violent as both groups engaged in a confrontation.

The clash caused fear among residents and business owners, forcing many traders to shut their shops. Security personnel, including police officers and members of the Amotekun Corps, intervened and used tear gas to disperse the crowd and restore order.

Gunshots were also heard around the Stadium Motor Park area, while some drivers were accused of trying to take control of the Ilesa Motor Park.

Speaking during the protest, factional NURTW secretary, Fatai Oyegoke, accused Alowonle of creating unrest within the transport union. He alleged that members of his faction had been prevented from carrying out their transport business and claimed they had been living in fear due to repeated attacks at motor parks.

Oyegoke called on the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to protect transport workers, secure motor parks and ensure public safety.
Efforts to get a response from Alowonle were unsuccessful as he could not be reached for comments at the time of filing the report.

Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers were immediately deployed to the affected areas after receiving distress calls.

According to him, the protest escalated into a clash between rival factions, disrupting business activities and public peace. He said the police used minimal force to disperse those involved and restore calm.

Ojelabi added that security personnel had been stationed at motor parks across the state to prevent further violence.
The police command also urged members and leaders of the rival factions to stop hostilities and resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue.

Governor Ademola Adeleke condemned the violence and called on security agencies to arrest those responsible for disturbing public peace.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor said he had informed the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs about the attacks and demanded swift action against those involved.

Adeleke questioned the purpose of a protest that disrupted the movement of innocent commuters and warned that the state government might reconsider its support for NURTW operations if the unrest continued.

Meanwhile, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Osun State announced the suspension of all transport union activities in public motor parks across the state.

The association directed the police and other security agencies to take over motor parks in the 30 local government areas and the Ife East Area Office to ensure the safety of lives and property.

Speaking on behalf of the association, the Vice Chairman of ALGON in Osun and Chairman of Ilesa East Local Government, Lanre Balogun, said the decision was necessary because of the ongoing leadership crisis within the NURTW.

Balogun said motor parks were gradually becoming unsafe and warned that continued violence could erode public confidence in the transport system.

He stressed that local governments have constitutional responsibility for managing public motor parks and therefore decided to suspend the activities of all transport unions, including motorcycle and tricycle unions, with immediate effect.

Security agencies have since intensified monitoring of motor parks across Osun State to prevent further clashes and maintain law and order.