There was pandemonium in Ibadan capital of Oyo State today as hoodlums suspected to be members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in their hundreds clashed in three areas of the state.

P.M.NEWS gathered that hoodlums allegedly loyal to factional leader of the union, Alhaji Lateef Salako a.k.a. Elewe Omo, stormed the NURTW Secretariat at Olomi area of Ibadan to chase away Alhaji Lateef Akinsola a.k.a. Tokyo, who was reinstated by the National Industrial Court in Abuja as the authentic NURTW chairman in the state.

It was gathered that over 88 vehicles belonging to Tokyo’s faction were destroyed during the mayhem that started in the wee hours of today.

According to the state NURTW Secretary, Comrade Lekan Aleshinoye, Tokyo’s boys confronted them at about 4 a.m. today during which they destroyed their vehicles vandalised offices and injured several people.

He alleged that they came with some policemen that assisted them in their operation.

Another report has it that hoodlums in 50 vehicles stormed the motor park at tollgate along Ibadan expressway in attempt to take over the park. They attacked the NURTW members in the park in an attempt to take over the place.

One of the vehicles they came with, an Isuzu SUV, was allegedly loaded with guns, charms and other dangerous weapons.

During the attack, one person was injured and was taken to an undisclosed hospital. Over 20 vehicles were allegedly destroyed at the toll gate.

As at the time of filling this report, some hoodlums were still clashing with one another at Iwo road.

Policemen seem to be having a hard time controlling the clash. Armoured personnel carriers have been deployed to strategic places in the state to curtail further violence.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Alhaji Adisa Bolanta, denied the allegation that he mobilised thugs to attack Toyko’s boys.




http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2010/09/15/mayhem-in-ibadan-as-nurtw-factions-clash/

IT was a bloody day in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday.

Twenty-five persons, including five policemen,were reportedly killed as the ancient city erupted in violence.

It happened when factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) engaged one another in a gun battle.

The Police denied the casualty figure in a telephone interview.

ThePolice Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Miss Olabisi Okuwobi, said three people were killed.

Their bodies, she said, were brought to the Police Headquarters by Alhaji Lateef Salako, aka Eleweomo.

Miss Okuwobi insisted that no policeman was killed.

The attack was allegedly carried out by Eleweomo’s supporters about 1.30am near the Olomi, Ibadan secretariat of the union.

They were said to have been ambushed by supporters of the reinstated chairman of the union, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola, aka Tokyo.

About 83 vehicles, including exotic cars belonging to some leaders of both factions, were reportedly vandalised.

Many houses were shattered by bullets. Residents were awake throughout the night as sporadic gunshots rented the air till dawn.

Scores of residents were wounded. They are being treated in hospitals.

Hundreds of expended cartridges littered the union’s secretariat.

The assailants allegedly entered the union’s secretariat, broke the doors and destroyed office furniture and other equipment.

A source said the attackers forcibly entered the secretariat amidst shootings after destroying a black Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonging to Tokyo.

The union leader narrowly escaped being killed; he has since gone underground.

The assailants were said to have mobilised to the NURTW secretariat to sack Tokyo, who moved into the building after the National Industrial Court (NIC), Abuja, reinstated him early August.

He was said to have turned the secretariat to his home to prevent Eleweomo’s faction from taking it over.

The Oyo State Government banned the union hours after Tokyo was sworn in as chairman but he has remained resolute in reclaiming his mandate, saying he would not vacate the secretariat for Eleweomo’s faction.

The union’s Secretary, Mr. Lekan Aleshinloye, said Tokyo’s supporters decided to keep vigil at the secretariat after getting wind of the alleged plot to sack their chairman.

Aleshinloye said Tokyo’s supporters advanced towards the attackers when they heard gunshots as the latter moved towards the secretariat.

He said they confronted the assailants near the Academy Bridge.

Aleshinloye said Tokyo’s supporters retreated when they realised that Eleweomo’s group was allegedly led by some policemen from the State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

But the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Baba Bolanta, denied the allegation that the command backed the attackers.


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