Police confirm NURTW factions’ clash as protests over killings hit Osogbo

By Isa Isawade

The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the violent clash between factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Osun State during protests over political killings on Monday.

The incident reportedly occurred following a protest by a faction of the NURTW that their vehicles were not allowed into the garage by the dominant faction.

This reportedly led to a violent clash between the protesting and the dominant factions.

Another reason adduced for the protest was the coordinated attacks on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osogbo on Wednesday, during which two adults were killed, while a toddler later died from gunshot injuries.

Victims’ associates allegedly accused Alowonle of involvement in the incident.

Members of the NURTW earlier on Monday staged protests across major motor parks in the state, passing a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the union’s state chairman, Nurudeen Alowonle.

Police, in a press release on Monday evening signed by the state’s PPRO Abiodun Ojelabi in Osogbo, expressed deep concern over the unfortunate incident and called on all parties to sheathe the sward.

The release said: “Immediately the Police Command received the distress call about the incident that leads to disruption of public peace and normal commercial activities, the Police swiftly swung into action and use minimal force to disperse the protesters as to restore normalcy.

“Meanwhile, officers have been stationed at the various packs within the State to avoid further breakdown of law and order.

“The Command call on all members and leaders of the affected factions to immediately cease all forms of hostilities and embrace peaceful dialogue as the appropriate means of resolving grievances or channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters.

“All stakeholders are urged to exercise restraint and avoid actions or statements capable of further escalating tensions pending determination of those to manage the pack by the relevant authorities.

“The Police and other Security Agencies have been charged to maintain law and order, protect lives and property, and conduct a thorough, impartial investigation into the incident. Anyone found to have engaged in violence, or any other criminal act will be dealt with accordingly.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, mnips is advising members of the public to remain calm, go about their lawful activities without fear, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that may assist ongoing investigations. Citizens should also refrain from spreading unverified information capable of causing panic or inflaming the situation.”