A tense situation unfolded in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Ogun State Parks and Garages Management Board (OGSPAM) clashed over a leadership dispute, causing palpable fear among residents.
The clash occurred at several motor parks, including Kuto, Lafenwa, Brewery, Ita Oshin, and Obantoko, resulting in reports of gunshots and injuries inflicted with machetes among union members.
The feud reportedly revolves around the collection of revenue from motor parks, with the recently reinstated leadership of NURTW, led by Alhaji Ismail Adewale (Yaro), attempting to assert control over this week’s revenue collection, which OGSPAM claims is within its jurisdiction.
The government had previously suspended NURTW activities in the state in 2021 and created OGSPAM for revenue collection. However, NURTW was reinstated in October 2023 under Yaro’s leadership.
Efforts by the Commissioner for Transportation, Gbenga Dairo, to foster peace among the unions by rotating the sales of government tickets were reportedly undermined when OGSPAM was directed to step down, leading to escalated tensions.
Police presence was heightened at motor parks across Abeokuta to prevent further violence, with the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, confirming the incident and assuring the public that the situation has been brought under control.
Efforts to obtain a response from the transport commissioner regarding the incident were unsuccessful, but the police commissioner emphasized that no fatalities occurred during the clash.