Thursday, March 28, 2024

Osun NURTW members’ clash renewed as police arrest seven, recover guns, charms

BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO

The Osun State Police Command said on Tuesday that no fewer than seven members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers were arrested for launching attacks at various motor parks in the state in bids to take control of them.

This came as other NURTW members in Iwo, on Tuesday, attacked themselves and attempted to take over management and control of motor parks in the town.

Armed with guns, clubs and other dangerous weapons, the hoodlums, said to be supporting the Peoples Democratic Party, shot sporadically and dispersed drivers and passengers a park located at Roundabout area of Iwo.

The Point recalls that some members of the union, who claimed to be supporters of the PDP had stormed some motor parks in Osogbo and started shooting and attacking leaders and members of the union suspected to be loyalists of the All Progressives Congress.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Yemisi Opalola, on Tuesday, in a statement, the rampaging transporters attacked residents and police personnel after destroying offices and vehicles in Osogbo on Monday.

While assuring residents of adequate protection of their lives and properties, the Commissioner of Police, CP Faleye Olaleye said seven suspects were apprehended in connection to the chaos while assorted guns and charms were recovered.

The statement reads, “This is to inform the general public that the Osun State Police Command is aware and frowns at the crises that erupted within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.

“It would be recalled that the Commissioner of Police, the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, other stakeholders held meetings with NURTW executive, members and other stakeholders in the state to avert these unwarranted attacks and forceful takeover of the parks in the state.

“All consented to maintaining peace, but it was a surprise to learn about the attacks by NURTW members in several parts of the state with attendant destruction of offices and injury to some persons and Police personnel.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Faleye S. Olaleye, psc, swiftly charged the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders to ensure the situation is brought under control and arrest culprits.

“Consequently, the Police operatives tactical operation led to the arrest of Ten (10) Suspects and recovery of One (1) Barretta pistol, Two (2) Pump Action, Two (2) Barrel guns, Nine (9) live and Four (4) expended cartridges, Five (5) cutlasses and charms.

“The Commissioner of Police wish to assure the general public that the Police Command is fully on top of the situation as Mobile/Conventional/Tactical/Patrol teams have been deployed to curtail the crises and advice member of the public to go about their lawful businesses/work without fear of insecurity or attacks.

“He, therefore, sternly warned that, anyone found culpable in these unwarranted violence/attacks will face the full wrath of the law.”

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