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  • Lagos: NURTW calls for peaceful coexistence, appeals to Sanwo-Olu

    Lagos: NURTW calls for peaceful coexistence, appeals to Sanwo-Olu

    The leadership of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has appealed to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to sustain the peaceful coexistence between the union and state government.

    The NURTW National President, Mr Tajudeen Baruwa, in a statement on Friday, thanked the governor for the support he had been giving the union over the years.

    “The body’s national leadership appealed to governor Sanwo-Olu, to allow the existing harmonious relationship between NURTW and Lagos State Government to continue and that it will be extended to the newly appointed officers of the union,’ he said.

    The president said that the union had inaugurated a nine-man caretaker committee to oversee and coordinate operations of the union across Lagos state.

    He said the committee was constituted following the dissolution of the State Administrative Council (SAC).

    Baruwa said the caretaker committee was set up to allow for continuity in the administration of the transport activities.

    The president added that the move was to ensure that members of the union continued to support the government’s master plan for transport development.

    “The nine-man caretaker committee will be led by Mr Fatai Adeshina, a stakeholder in the transportation sector, and the committee will operate for next three months as stipulated in the union’s constitution.

    “Other members of the committee are Mr Sunday Yusuf, Abraham Onifade, Jamiu Erinfolami, Ismaila Ojora, Lekan Ariyibi, Murtala Lawal, Taiwo Azeez while Kayode Agbeyangi would serve as the secretary,” he said.

    Baruwa said that members of the committee were carefully selected to ensure sanity in the transportation sector.

    “The union knows that they will effectively manage affairs of Lagos chapter after SAC dissolution, which was done to bring sanity to the union’s operation across the metropolis,” he said.

    The Lagos state government recently appointed an ex-chairman of the state’s chapter of NURTW, Musiliu Akinsanya popularly called MC Oluomo, as the chairman of its Parks Management Committee.

    A former Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, was appointed as the Liaison Officer between the government and the committee.

  • NURTW condemns plans to commence Park management plan, says it’s exploitative, fraudulent

    NURTW condemns plans to commence Park management plan, says it’s exploitative, fraudulent

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has strongly condemned plans to commence park management structures plan by some states across the country, saying it is exploitative, fraudulent and an attempt to create political miscreants.

    National president of the union, Alhaji Bikunle Baruwa who expressed the Union’s displeasure said that the planned initiative was not in tandem with the promulgation of Decree numbers 21 and 22, as a trade union in Nigeria having affiliation with Nigeria Labour Congress.

    In a statement issued by Baruwa on Wednesday, he said that the NURTW is saddled with the responsibility of organizing workers who are qualified for membership into the union.

    It explained that prior to 1976, the management, administration and activities of drivers in the motor parks were at the mercies of commission agent, which was igniting conflicts and violence between the drivers and the commission agents.

    The president further said that the union seek the protection and advancement of the social economic and cultural interests of workmen, and to organize all gainfully employed transport workers such as taxi, township bus service and trailer drivers operating in all local government controlled motor Parks that convey passengers, goods and food stuffs.

    The statement read, “Imposition of park management is unconstitutional, the union is among the forty – two trade unions formed as a creation of Decree. A letter issued on August 15th, 1978 was communicated to the secretariat of the ‘Union’ as Trade union with number 00054.”

    “With this development, park management is not known to any law establishing the union, rather is meant to encourage reign of terror.”

    The statement also disclosed that
    the event in Lagos State Council leading to the National Administration Council’s decision to suspend Mr Musiliu Akinsanya was meant to instill discipline among the members of the ‘Union.

    The overwhelming Lagosians who viewed Musliu Akinsanya as thug, clown and devil in human flesh were happy at the decisions of the National Administrative council of the Union at the Abuja headquarters.

  • Lagos Govt Suspends NURTW From Parks, Garages

    Lagos Govt Suspends NURTW From Parks, Garages

    The Lagos State government has suspended the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW) across the state.

    In a statement on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos, Gbenga Omotoso, the government directed officials of the union to stay away from all parks and garages.

    According to him, the government has been watching closely events in the union amid the claims and counter-claims over the control of NURTW.

    “The government has a duty to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Lagosians and visitors,” Omotoso said. “Therefore, there is an urgent need to douse the unnecessary tension generated by the leadership tussle in the NURTW and protect the citizenry from the likely fallout of the situation.

    “After considering the provisions of the law, the government hereby suspends the activities of NURTW, which must cease to operate in all parks and garages in Lagos State.

    “The government will set up a committee to immediately take control of the parks and garages. Members of the committee will be key stakeholders in the sector.”

    Omotoso explained that the government’s position was premised on its responsibility to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order in all parks and garages in the state.

    The government’s action is the latest in the series of events trailing the indefinite suspension of the NURTW Chairman in Lagos, Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo.

    MC Oluomo’s suspension by the national body of the union was announced in a letter dated March 9, 2022, and signed by NURTW General Secretary, Kabiru Yau.

    He was accused of acts of insubordination and gross misconduct, as well as plotting to instigate crisis and unleash mayhem on branches of the union in Lagos that refuse to obey his alleged directive not to take orders from NURTW national headquarters.

    The suspension, Yau had explained, was in line with Article 42 section 5, subsection I, II, III, IV, V, and VIII of NURTW’s Constitution.

  • NURTW Suspends MC Oluomo Indefinitely Over Misconduct

    NURTW Suspends MC Oluomo Indefinitely Over Misconduct

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers has suspended its Lagos State chapter’s Chairman, Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo, indefinitely.

    The National Public Relations Officer of the union, Chukwudi Asogwa, confirmed the suspension to our correspondent on the telephone on Thursday.

    “Yes, it is true. The letter you saw in circulation is from the national headquarters,” he said.

    The suspension letter was signed by NURTW’s General Secretary, Kabiru Yau, and dated March 9th, 2022.

    In the letter, the union leader was suspended over alleged misconduct, insubordination, and inciting members of the state chapter against its national body.

    With the development, the NURTW directed Akinsanya to hand over to his deputy chairman and release all property belonging to the union in his possession.

    The letter read, “This is to convey to you that in line with Article 42 section 5, subsection I, II, III, IV, V, and VIII of the union’s constitution, you have been placed on indefinite suspension from office as State Chairman of Lagos State Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) with effect from March 9th, 2021.

    “Your suspension is sequel to sustained acts of insubordination and gross misconduct coupled with your clandestine plans to instigate crisis and unleash mayhem on any branch or branches of the union in Lagos state that refuses to obey your order or instructions not to accept directives from the national headquarters of the Union.

    “Your orchestrated plan to attack branches that may disobey your orders aforesaid will ultimately endanger public peace and order in Lagos state. It is also very likely to threaten and/or affect the lives and property of the peace-loving people of Lagos state, particularly those doing their legitimate businesses within motor parks, hence the urgent need to take drastic actions against him.

    “It is on record that you were earlier issued with queries on 25th of February 2022 and 3rd of March, 2022 respectively in which you were directed to explain the circumstances surrounding your untoward actions and to also show cause why disciplinary actions should not be taken against you for such acts of insubordination. You bluntly neglected/refuse to respond to the second query, while your response to the first query was unsatisfactory.

    “In view of your suspension, you are hereby directed to hand over the mantle of leadership of the Lagos State Council to the State Deputy Chairman and also surrender all Union properties in your possession to the State Secretary of the Union forthwith.”

  • BREAKING: Gunshots as two NURTW factions clash in Agbado, Lagos

    BREAKING: Gunshots as two NURTW factions clash in Agbado, Lagos

    By Isaac Kertyo

    There was pandemonium in the Agbado area of the Alimosho Local Government Area in Lagos State on Friday morning when two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers clashed in the area.

    Eyewitnesses told The PUNCH that road users and passersby scampered for safety when the two warring factions violently engaged each other.

    Gunshots were also heard during the conflict over ticket collection at the parks.

    The spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Adekunle Ajisebutu, confirmed the development.

    He, however, said policemen have been deployed in the affected areas.

    Ajisebutu said, “It was a brewing conflict over ticketing that would have led to a violent confrontation/crisis between two factions of NURTW in Kola Bus Stop area and its environs.

    “Police patrol teams from Alakuko, Agbado, Ijaiye- Ojokoro and reinforcements from the headquarters have been deployed to the area on the order of the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi.

    Oluomo, says he’s our candidate
    “The place is calm. No threat to lives and property currently as the police are still maintaining their presence in the area.”

    NURTW members in Lagos led by Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo, have been involved in deadly clashes of late.

    The PUNCH had reported that the Lagos Government last month suspended NURTW operations in the Idumota area of Lagos Island following the violent clash recorded in the area.

  • Lagos Govt Suspends NURTW Operations In Idumota

    Lagos Govt Suspends NURTW Operations In Idumota

    The Lagos State Government has suspended the operations of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the Idumota area of Lagos Island following the deadly clash recorded in the area.

    Lagos State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, made this known on Tuesday.

    “It is a suspension in the area where there was trouble, not a general suspension in the state,” Omotosho told our correspondent.

    Also, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, in a statement on Tuesday, said NURTW operations are suspended at Eyin Eyo, Church Street and Idumota Bridge indefinitely due to the recent violence in those areas.

    The statement was titled, ‘LASG Suspends NURTW Activities At Eyin Eyo, Church Street And Idumota Bridge’.

    Fayinka said the decision was taken at a stakeholders’ meeting comprising NURTW, Central Business District and Lagos State Market Women Association (Iya Oloja General and Iya Oloja of Lagos Island) on Tuesday.

    Fayinka further stated that the Rapid Response Squad will station an Armored Personnel Carrier 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).

    “State Security Operatives are hereby put on Red Alert to ensure Safety and Security of lives and property in Lagos Island and environs,” Fayinka stated.

    The Lagos State Rapid Response Squad had on Monday arrested prominent NURTW members in the state, Kunle Poly and Sego.

    The police said Kunle Poly and Sego are principal suspects in the recurring clashes in Idumota and its environs.

    The latest clash which occurred last Thursday had intermittently crippled commercial activities in the area.

    “The arrest was effected today at a meeting where the two NURTW members along with some other stakeholders converged.

    “Kunle Poly and Sego are currently being transferred to Zone II, Onikan, Lagos,” the RRS said in a statement.

    Daybreak had reported that two persons were feared killed during a clash between two factional members of a transport union in the Idumota area of Lagos.

    The two factions – Eyo boys, reportedly loyal to a union leader known as Kunle Poly, and Kosoko boys – have been at loggerheads over control of territory in the bustling commercial centre.

    It was gathered that Eyo boys expected Kosoko boys collecting levies from commercial bus drivers on Idumota Bridge to make returns but the latter declined.

    The growing tension reportedly erupted in a clash around 12pm on Thursday as hoodlums fired gunshots and brandished cutlasses.

    One person was said to have been shot dead while another bled to death from machete cuts inflicted on him.

    The violence forced traders in markets around the area to abruptly shut down their shops and run for dear life.

    Videos of the clash went viral on Friday, with one of the clips showing a bloodied youth being carried away in a wheelbarrow as people ran helter-skelter.

    However, normalcy was restored to the area on Friday as policemen and soldiers were stationed in strategic points around the scene but commercial activities had yet to fully return.

  • Lagos NURTW generates N123bn annually – Report

    Lagos NURTW generates N123bn annually – Report

    The Lagos chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, locally called agberos, generates about N123.08bn annually, which could service the annual budget of Nasarawa, Niger, and Yobe states put together, a statistical report by the International Centre for Investigative Report has shown.

    The data, which was released on Thursday, showed that the money was realised through levies on passenger vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles.

    Other sources of income not included in the report were money levied on hawkers, articulated vehicles, and persons who visited certain markets to buy goods.

    The report recorded a total of 75,000 buses; 50,000 tricycles; and 37,000 motorcycles.

    It showed that on a daily basis, N3,000, N600, and N1,800 were levied on buses, motorcycles, and tricycles respectively.

    These levies sum up to N82.1bn for buses; N8.1bn for motorcycles; and N32.9bn for tricycles yearly; making a total of N123.078bn yearly.

    Speaking on how the union could generate such money, a close associate of the NURTW who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said, “It is a highly connected and well-organised syndicate.

    “Take Idumota, for example; some agberos work in the office, others work on the streets; some work in the morning, some are constantly on afternoon shifts.

    “Some also have days that they work. Although, there is a fixed price, the rule of the game is that the agberos charge the drivers based on the amount they charge the passengers.”

    He added that in Idumota, there were over seven chairmen who get deliveries from the boys that work on the streets.

    “The boys have delivery targets, which is the reason they act rudely to drivers and passengers alike,” he added.

    He narrated further that to work with them, one must know one NURTW chairman or another renowned hoodlum on the street.

    He mentioned the case of a young man who went to Badagry to get diabolic fortifications so that he could be effective on the job.

    A passenger, Emmanuel Francis, expressed concerns over the activities of NURTW members.

    He urged the Federal Government to regulate their activities.

    When contacted, a spokesperson for the Lagos Internal Revenue Service, Monsurat Amasa, said she could not comment on the amount the NURTW generates, but added that as a part of the informal sector, the body pays taxes to the government.

  • NURTW Vice-Chairman Shot Dead In Lagos

    NURTW Vice-Chairman Shot Dead In Lagos

    The Vice-Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Samuel Kayode, popularly known as Ekpo Kinkin, has been killed at the Agboju area of Lagos State.

    According to reports, Ekpo who was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress was at a rally organised by the party at Oriade Local Development Area when the gunmen invaded the rally on Thursday and shot him dead.

    Eyewitnesses said a gunshot was heard from the crowd outside while the meeting was on, forcing residents involved at the rally to scamper to safety.

    When those inside the hall rushed to the scene, Kayode was found in the pool of his blood.

    However, NURTW in Lagos State confirmed the incident, noting that the deceased was trying to protect a fellow politician when he was killed.

    “He was protecting a fellow politician, Wale Yusuf, from harassment when the gunmen shot him dead,” said Jimoh Buhari, the spokesman for the NURTW Chairman, Musiliu Akinsanya.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, is yet to react to the ugly incident.

  • Hoodlums kill NAF personnel, protest presence of military Taskforce in Oshodi

    Hoodlums kill NAF personnel, protest presence of military Taskforce in Oshodi

    Commuters and traders around the busy Mosafejo area of Oshodi, Lagos, were on Thursday morning enveloped by fear as hoodlums went on rampage.

    It was gathered that the riotous hoodlums who vandalised vehicles, were protesting the presence of soldiers attached to the Ops MESA at the bus park in Oshodi.

    Reports had it that soldiers were in the park to meet the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) chairman following the murder of a non-commissioned officer (NCO) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

    Another account indicated they were in the premises following the snatching of a mobile phone belonging to a woman married to a military officer.

    It was learnt that the unnamed Airman was killed on Monday and his body dumped on top of the pedestrian bridge.

    Our Correspondent gathered that the deceased soldier who was plain clothed, had boarded an Ikorodu bound vehicle when suddenly a fracas broke out at the park between bus operators and passengers.

    He was said to have intervened in the fracas in a bid to restore peace but was killed in the process and his body left atop the bridge till Tuesday when passersby saw and evacuated it to a nearby mortuary.

    According to a source, the soldier’s colleagues who were worried about his sudden disappearance made enquiries and discovered his last seen position was at Oshodi.

    They were said to have gone to the park on Tuesday and were told a dead man was seen on top of the bridge and evacuated to the mortuary.

    “The soldiers then went round nearby morgues and eventually saw him. He was moved to NAF mortuary. So, the authorities asked Ops MESA to go to the park and find out from the chairman what happened that day. They were also directed to find out those responsible for the murder of the Airman.

    “But as soon as the area boys saw Ops MESA approaching the park, they became riotous and were shouting that soldiers have come to arrest their chairman. That was what happened,” said a source who pleaded anonymity.

    News of soldiers’ takeover soon spread to other parts of Oshodi, forcing traders and commuters to flee.

    We gathered that the chaos led to many vehicles being vandalised while some persons were said to have sustained injuries.

    Reacting to the incident, police spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said calm has been restored, adding that investigation into the cause of the violence was ongoing.

    He said: “The Lagos State Police Command is aware of the conflict that occurred at Capa Park/Mosafejo Oshodi, Lagos, on Thursday May 20, at 7am.

    “Normalcy has been restored to the area, as the matter is under investigation. We urge Lagosians to go about their lawful businesses in the area and in the state in general.

    “No cause for alarm. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu has ordered that intensive patrol in the area.”

    But the NAF denied Thursday’s unrest was connected to the murdered Airman, saying unconfirmed reports available to them indicated it was about a wife to a military officer whose phone was snatched.

    According to NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the Airman was strangled to death on Monday by suspected hoodlums and his murder was unconnected to Thursday morning’s unrest.

    He said: “The Airman was killed on Monday and his body was dumped on Oshodi Bridge and was discovered by early morning cleaners who raised alarm and the NAF was duly informed. Thereafter the airman’s corpse was deposited at Yaba hospital.

    “Investigation revealed that the Airman was strangled to death by suspected hoodlums.

    “However the unrest at Oshodi is not in relation to the Airman’s death. Though not yet confirmed, it was gathered that a lady’s phone was snatched and her husband happens to be military personnel.”

    Similarly, the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army which also confirmed there were skirmishes at Oshodi, said investigation was ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.

    Spokesman for the Division, Major Olaniyi Osoba said: “The situation is currently under control as commuters are already going about with their normal businesses without any harassment. Investigation is ongoing to determine what caused the unfortunate incident.”

  • BREAKING: Gov. Akeredolu orders indefinite suspension of NURTW activities in Ondo

    BREAKING: Gov. Akeredolu orders indefinite suspension of NURTW activities in Ondo

    Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has ordered indefinite suspension of activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.

    He directed all NURTW members are to immediately vacate all motor parks across the state.

    The Governor had last week said the suspension of NURTW and RTEAN activities in motor parks would only last for two weeks.

    Akeredolu, who spoke Tuesday through his Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale, said the indefinite suspension would not affect RTEAN.

    Akeredolu said the decision to suspend NURTW activities indefinitely was based on the unruly and uncultured behaviour of the union leaders.

    He said the violent attacks on members and the innocent citizens were unacceptable.