Following a recent fracas by warring members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the national leadership of the Union has threatened to impose an indefinite suspension on NURTW activities in Lagos State.
President of the union, Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, said the suspension is imminent as there is currently unrest by NURTW members in Lagos Island, which led to the loss of lives and paralysis of economic activities in the area.
The Rapid Response Squad (RRS), an anti-crime unit of the Lagos State Police Command, has arrested Kunle Poly and Tapa Sego – two “principal suspects” in connection with the class.
State Chairman of the union, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, had asked to conduct a thorough investigation on the crisis, saying he was not aware of what led to the mayhem in Lagos Island.
But the NURTW President, in a statement, condemned the killings and attacks in the Idumota axis, saying an unidentified number of people lost their lives to the mayhem.
The union, however, apologised to members of the public and the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over the incident. Baruwa stated that the union would do everything possible to fish out the culprits in the incident.
He hinted that the national body might suspend activities of the union in the state to allow for an independent investigation into the matter.
The statement read in part, “We want to assure you that NURTW is not in support of such conduct and the ugly incident that occurred at Idumota axis of Lagos Island and we are disassociating the body from any act that is capable of promoting spilling of blood and paralysing businesses as witnessed a few days ago in Lagos.
“In ensuring that appropriate actions are being taken to end such conduct going forward, the union will be working with the Lagos State Government, security agencies, and other stakeholders to investigate, as well as go after persons or groups that are behind this re-occurring barbaric display that led to the loss of lives and several properties in the community.
“The NURTW has followed this incident that brought Lagos island to a chaotic situation, posing danger to lives and properties and grounding business activities in the area. We hereby assure Lagosians, as the national body of NURTW, that something will be done to end such conduct. We cannot continue this way, putting a bad image on the entirety of the union, this is unacceptable.
“The union is tendering its unreserved apology to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Lagosians over inconvenience the ugly incident may have caused the state, its law-abiding people and businesses that suffered the unrest. We commend the state government on the quick intervention that brought calm to the community and the body is assuring the government that all erring members who took to violence instead of peace will not go unpunished.”
The union further warned its members in Lagos that activities may be suspended indefinitely to allow investigation on the incident to be carried out diligently.
“The state’s council executives and entire members of the union should bear in mind that notice of further action will be communicated upon conclusion by the apex body of the union,” the statement added.
Daily trust
