TheCable

The Lagos state government has suspended the operations of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos Island over the recent clashes recorded in the area.

Jubril Gawat, media aide to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state governor, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday.

Gawat said the decision to suspend the union’s activities was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting attended by the NURTW, Central Business District (CBD) and Lagos State Market Women Association (iya oloja general and iya oloja of Lagos Island).

TheCable had reported how factions of the union clashed over the control of motor parks in the area last Thursday, leaving one person dead and several people injured.

On Monday, the police command in the state arrested two principal suspects — Adekunle Lawal, alias Kunle Poly, and Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego.

Lawal is the Lagos Island branch chairman of the NURTW, while Adekunle is the treasurer of the state council of the union.

According to the statement, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, special adviser to the governor on transportation, said the ban is to prevent further acts of violence at Idumota axis of the state.

Fayinka said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) will be stationed at strategic positions to ensure compliance with the ban and prevent further attacks.

“Lagos State Govt has suspended the operations of the Transport Union (NURTW) in Lagos Island, particularly on Church Street, Eyin Eyo, and Idumota bridge indefinitely due to the recent clashes that crippled activities in Idumota axis of the state,” the statement reads.

“Oluwatoyin Fayinka meted out the ban to prevent further acts of violence at Idumota, adding that the Lagos State Parks Monitoring Authority will resume at Eyin Eyo.

“Fayinka further stated that the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) will station an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) on Idumota Bridge to deter motorists from driving against traffic in compliance with traffic rules and regulations and to enforce the suspension of the NURTW within the axis and simultaneously flush out the Oju Opake boys lurking along Plaza around Church Street axis.

“Also suspended are the activities of the transport union at Church Street and John Street, particularly Keke Marwa and Mini Buses (korope).”

FLASH: Lagos State Govt has suspended the operations of the Transport Union (NURTW) in Lagos Island particularly on Church Street, Eyin Eyo, and Idumota bridge indefinitely due to the recent clashes that crippled activities in Idumota axis of the state. @jidesanwoolu pic.twitter.com/Ef3fkh9gE0

— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) January 25, 2022

Meanwhile, the leadership of the union has apologised to Sanwo-Olu over the incident and disassociated itself from the chaos.

Tajudeen Baruwa, NURTW president, also said the union is in support of the ongoing probe into the matter and that any of its members found wanting will be punished.