Following the violent clash between the factions of the Ondo State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Tuesday morning, the state government has announced the indefinite suspension of all activities of the union across the state.
The Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale, also ordered the NURTW members to immediately vacate all motor parks across the state.
The government described the clash as unruly and uncultured behaviour of the union leaders which resulted in violent attacks on members and innocent citizens.
The government, however, said the indefinite suspension did not affect Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEN) who comported themselves in a peaceful manner.
At least one person was killed during the clash, as suspected thugs invaded the old garage, shooting at members of a faction NURTW.
Two others were reported seriously injured in the shoot-out by the rival union leaders
It was gathered that the national leadership of the union met with the two warring factions in Osogbo, Osun state on Monday.
The intervention of the national leadership of the union was a sequel to the bloody attack of two members of one of the factions last Sunday.
Reports had it that the leadership of the union directed that one of the factions driven away from the garage should be allowed to return to allow peace reign in the state.
The decision reportedly didn’t go down well with the faction that was suspended last week by the state government.
It was also gathered that the faction that was asked to return to the garage mobilised and gathered at the old garage on Tuesday to brief other members.
They alleged that some members loyal to the suspended leaders also mobilised to attack them at the old garage.
According to their leaders, ” those who shot and killed Adebola Ademoyegun aka China and two others walked to the garage and suddenly and opened fire on us.
Those injured have been taken to the state specialist hospital in Akure for medical attention.
Members were seen taking the corpse of Adebola to the palace of the Deji of Akure land Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo.
The state police commissioner Bolaji Salami deployed police detectives to the scene.
Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Tee Leo-lkoro confirmed the break down of law and order by members of the union.
” The presence of police is everywhere now, we are also investigating to know those masterminding this ugly incident and get them arrested.
“The leadership had been suspended I don’t know what they are fighting for again.
Ikoro added that the police is on top of the situation and would return normalcy to the state capital.
Recall that on Sunday two members of one of the factions, Omoniyi Oni popularly known as Eniba and Wasiu Ibrahim were attacked in Akure, the state capital by thugs loyal to the former leader of the union
They were reportedly attacked at a barbing salon around Owode in Akure metropolis.