15 feared killed, scores injured in Ibadan drivers’ clash

Factional members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Oyo State council, went on the rampage again in Ibadan, on Sunday.

By the time security operatives managed to put the situation under control, no fewer than 15 persons had been feared killed and scores of others wounded.


About 20 shops were razed and about 30 vehicles vandalised in the clash, the second in less than one week by the NURTW factions in the city.


More that 20 suspects were arrested in connection with the violence, according to the state police command.


A source said that about 33 of the injured people were rushed to the University College Hospital where 14 of them were treated and discharged immediately.


Those who were injured, the source added, either sustained gunshot or machete wounds.


Our correspondent learnt that most of them were passengers waiting to join buses for night travel at a bus terminal on the Ibadan-Ife Road.


It was further learnt that the perpetrators of the latest violence arrived the area at about 11.50pm on Saturday evening with the aim of avenging their losses during an earlier clash a week ago.


A few minutes after midnight, the invading union members were said to have started shooting sporadically during which some persons were killed.


As at 10 am yesterday (Sunday), the entire stretch of Iwo Road from “Gate’’ area, through Idi-Ape and up to new Ile-Ife Road, was deserted as traders locked up their shops.


About 45 stern-looking riot policemen who arrived the area in about eight patrol vehicles and four Armoured Personnel Careers searched passers-by carrying any form of luggage at the scene.


A police source who did not want his name in print because he is not the command’s spokesman gave an indication that the casualties recorded were huge.


An official of the Oyo State Fire Service, Mrs. Olunike Olayinka, said that no fewer than 20 shops were razed by the NURTW members.


Olayinka added that fire fighters were drafted to the scene following a distress call to their office.


The Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, Mr. Olatunji Ajimuda, confirmed the clash and the arrest of the 25 suspects.


Ajimuda said, “There was a clash between the two factions of the NURTW and the police were called to go and quell it. We made some arrests and they will soon appear in court as soon as we finish investigation.


“We are not stopping at that; we are still looking for those who committed this crime. It’s not only those arrested; we will look for their leaders and bring them to book.


“I don’t have the exact figure of those arrested here now, but they should be over 20.’’


He also confirmed that some of the injured persons were rushed to the UCH.


Governor Abiola Ajimobi, ostensibly displeased by the development, said the fate of the union in the state would be decided today (Monday).


The governor, who visited the scene, warned that his administration would not tolerate any form of lawlessness.


A statement from his office quoted him as charging all security agencies in the state to be alive to their responsibilities and ensure all those involved in the incident were arrested.


He said, “All the perpetrators of the violence must be fished out for possible prosecution. The state government will institute an investigation into the violent act and we might reconsider the lifting of the ban of the union.


“The fate of the union will be decided at a meeting Monday (today).”


Two people were reportedly killed and 15 others wounded exactly a week ago when violence broke out between the factional members of the NURTW clashed in the city.


Scores of vehicles were also vandalised by the rampaging transport workers who wielded guns, machetes, clubs and broken bottles.


The violence came few days after former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala had de-proscribed the union at the twilight of his administration.


Our correspondent had reported that the mayhem broke out when some members of the union loyal to the court-reinstated chairman, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a Tokyo) attempted to dislodge members of another faction loyal to Mr. Mukaila Lamidi (a.ka. Auxilliary) from some motor parks in the affected areas.


The attempt was allegedly resisted by the Lamidi faction, leading to the gun duel.

Posted: at 6-06-2011 11:32 AM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac

R.I.P

Posted: at 6-06-2011 02:31 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Our Govt are so Senseless and Foolish not to av Realise that these so called Agberos or NURTW av no meaningful Roles to play @ our motor park or the Transport Industry.Rather than to Hike the price of Transport Fare.Even their Presence could scary @ Tymes.they shld be Scrapped and bannished never to return to Our motor parks,just the same Way Buba Marwa did during his regime as an Administrator in Lagos.Good example is dt of our Taxi Parks,well managed.

Posted: at 10-07-2012 11:54 AM (11 years ago) | Newbie

RIP

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Posted: at 4-09-2012 11:10 AM (11 years ago) | Addicted Hero

RIP

Posted: at 1-12-2015 01:34 PM (8 years ago) | Upcoming

Na wah o.... Work no dey ?

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Posted: at 1-12-2015 07:40 PM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac