Oshodi violence: Lagos bans NURTW
Lagos State government on Monday placed a ban on activities of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) around Oshodi, saying it was to forestall the reoccurrence of the violence that rocked the area last week, leading to the death of one Rasaq Bello.
Bello, until his death in the bloody clash between factions of the transport unions, was the leader of Motorcycle Operators’ Association of Lagos State (MOALS) in Oshodi.
Following the government’s pronouncement, all the seven branches of the NURTW in the area that include LOB A, LOB D, LOB J, Oshodi A, Oshodi B, Oshodi C and Oshodi D, stand banned indefinitely. While the ban lasts, there will be no issuance of tickets or collection of fees from commuter buses by the union’s officials.
Olanrewaju Elegushi, Lagos State acting commissioner for transportation, who announced the decision of the government during a news conference in Ikeja, said a team of government officials and security personnel had been mandated to monitor and ensure the effective of the order going forward.
Elegushi said the decision was arrived at after due consultation with relevant stakeholders on the recurring crisis in Oshodi, and would remain in force until peace returned to the area.
“For the avoidance of doubt, police investigations are ongoing on the said death and all persons found culpable will be prosecuted in line with the dictates of the laws.
“It is important to also emphasis that all rumour mongering, insinuations and unfounded/unverified facts should be avoided in the sake of peaceful co-existence. Any escalation of the crisis arising from the ban will lead to government taking sterner actions against the branches where violence is recorded,” Elegushi said.
He said that as part of the strategies to permanently address incessant crises arising from activities of transport unions in the state, the government had put in place the Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) through which 5,000 air-conditioned and convenient buses would be injected into the transport sector, adding that the initiative would soon be launched.
Imohimi Edgal, the deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations, confirmed that some arrests had been made following the crisis and investigation had started in respect of the violence.
Edgal said the report of the preliminary investigation by the police would be out before the end of the week.
Tajudeen Agbede, Lagos State chairman of NURTW, said the leadership of the union was in support of the decision of government to suspend all union activities in Oshodi.
“I like to confirm that the decision of the government to suspend union activities in Oshodi was supported by us. We also want a lasting peace in Oshodi and we know that with this decision, people can go about their duties without hindrance,” he said.
JOSHUA BASSEY