For the umpteenth time, members of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers engaged in an orgy of violence resulting in the death of two people.

PUNCH Metro also learnt that scores of people sustained the violence, which began on Monday but climaxed on Wednesday.

It was learnt that the violence started when some members of the union sought the removal of a former chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the union, Alhaji Rafiu Olohunwa, who was in charge of the Lawanson branch.

A member of the NURTW, who craved anonymity, said, “Olohunwa was the chairman of the state chapter of the NURTW but after his tenure ended, he returned to his former position as the chairman of the Lawanson branch.

“A number of units constitute a branch and many of us were not satisfied with how he treated us. So, this morning, we challenged his loyalists and we were able to subdue them.

“Although Olohunwa is presently not in Lagos, we have been able to overthrow him and hopefully change will soon come. We also want to benefit from the revenue being collected.”

An eyewitness, Abosede Adediran, told our correspondent that the violence began around 6am on Wednesday.

Adediran added that the violence lasted for three hours before the police quelled it.

She said, “Around 7am, I was at Lawanson Bus Stop trying to board a bus to work when I saw thugs fighting and shooting indiscriminately. People were running for their lives

“I ran immediately into Lawanson Market for cover and remained there for almost 20 minutes. The police later came to disperse the thugs but after they left, some of the thugs started fighting again and the violence escalated.

“The policemen later reinforced and came with an armour tank and patrol vehicles, which they stationed in the area.”

It was learnt that one person was killed in the violence and his corpse had been evacuated.

It was gathered that the most affected streets were Jubril Martins and Itire Road where broken glass littered the ground.

A policeman, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said no one was killed but many sustained injuries.

He said, “To my knowledge no one was killed but many sustained injuries. The thugs are members of the NURTW and they claim they have been cheated by the present administration and they want a change.

“We as policemen have to remain here until the dust settles because the moment we leave, these guys will start fighting again.”

At the time our correspondent left the area, shops remained locked while two filling stations, Oando and MRS, remained shut as well.

Meanwhile, another person had lost his life on Lagos Island on Tuesday while scores were injured after thugs suspected to be members of the NURTW clashed yet again.

Our correspondent learnt that the fight, which began around 6am, started on Freeman Street when thugs clashed over the control of a unit of the union.

A resident, Wasiu Balogun, told our correspondent that the fight also reached Sangrouse Market where one person, Daniel Adeyemi, was reportedly killed.

He said, “These thugs usually start their fight early in the morning around 6am. The thugs went around, robbing people and vandalising vehicles parked on the side of the road, “he said.

Another resident, Matthew Soneye, ascribed the violence to the do-or-die politics in the state.

“If you notice, this problem of fighting among members of the NURTW is only common in the South-West because of the style of politics that is being practiced, “he said.

The NURTW Secretary in the state, Mr. Akin James, said the problem was an internal one that would soon be resolved.

“Some of the members at Lawanson branch were not happy with Olohunwa and they claimed they felt cheated and complained and we are looking into the matter. The union will look into the matter and normalcy will be restored soon,” James said.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Mr. Joseph Jaiyeoba, said normalcy had returned in the area. He, however, added that three people had been arrested.

He said, “Around 7am on Wednesday, information was received that at Lawanson Motor Park, Lagos, that Olohunwa’s supporters, were having internal problems.

“The gun-wielding men later engaged in a free-for-all which created pandemonium in the area.

“A combined team of policemen from Area D, the Rapid Response Squad, were quickly drafted to restore peace and order. When the situation was getting out of control, half a unit of the Police Mobile Force was mobilised to support the team on ground.

“Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored in the area and men are still on ground monitoring. No death was reported to the police and except we receive report of someone’s death we cannot say someone died. We rely on information as well.”


http://www.punchng.com/metro/two-killed-as-transport-workers-clash-over-leadership/