Ololade Adeyanju
The Lagos State branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has thrown its weight behind the state government’s decision to suspend all activities of the union in Oshodi indefinitely.
The state government, which announced the decision at a joint press conference with the transport union leaders and the police, on Monday, said it was meant to ensure peace in the affected area.
There has been constant fears of reprisal attack from loyalists of warring factions of the transport union in Oshodi area, following last Monday’s killing of the chairman of Motorcycle Owners Association of Lagos State (MOALS) in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, Chief Rasaq Bello, popularly called Hamburger.
Chairman of the union, Tajudeen Agbede, said the branch was in support of the government’s decision, adding that the union was adequately consulted before the step was taken.
He said, “I will like to confirm that the decision of the State Government to suspend union activities in Oshodi was supported by us. We also want lasting peace in Oshodi and we know that with this decision, people can go about their activities without let or hindrance.
“I am sure if the union had been left to handle the issue, we would have arrived at the same decision to suspend activities for now. I want to urge our members to cooperate with government in its bid to ensure lasting peace.
“Going forward, we have been educating our members on the need to eschew violence and we still want to reiterate it that anyone caught perpetrating violence would be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Anofiu Elegushi, who announced the government’s decision, listed the locations affected by the suspension as, Lob A, D and J, and Oshodi A, B, C and D.
He said there would be no issuance of tickets and collection of fees from commercial buses operating within the affected locations, adding that security agencies would be on ground to enforce the government’s mandate.
Also present at the conference was the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Oluwole Edgar.
Edgar told newsmen the police had arrested some suspects in connection with Hamburger’s death. He added that they would soon issue an interim report of their investigation into the crisis that precipitated the incident.
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