There was a tense atmosphere in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, on Monday as a clash erupted between members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Ogun State Parks and Garages Management Board (OGSPAM) over a leadership dispute.
Reports of the altercation emerged from various motor parks including Kuto, Lafenwa, Brewery, Ita Oshin, and Obantoko, where gunshots were heard, and injuries inflicted with machetes during the confrontation.
Central to the conflict is an alleged attempt by the recently reinstated leadership of NURTW, led by Alhaji Ismail Adewale, also known as Yaro, to take over the collection of revenue from motor parks for the week, which is claimed to be the responsibility of OGSPAM.
According to sources, the dispute revolves around control over the collection of union tickets for the government, with NURTW, OGSPAM, and the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) being tasked with revenue collection for the state government.
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The government had previously suspended NURTW’s activities in the state in 2021, leading to the establishment of OGSPAM.
However, in October 2023, NURTW’s ban was reportedly lifted, resulting in a resurgence of tensions.
In an effort to promote peace, the Commissioner for Transportation, Gbenga Dairo, directed a rotational system where RTEAN would sell tickets for two weeks, while NURTW and OGSPAM would alternate weekly.
Trouble escalated when OGSPAM was allegedly instructed to relinquish its week to NURTW, causing dissatisfaction among union members.
Security was heightened at motor parks across Abeokuta, with heavily armed policemen deployed to prevent further violence.
Despite efforts to obtain a response from the Transport Commissioner, no official statement was received.
Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, confirmed the incident, stating that security measures had been implemented, and the situation was under control.
He reassured the public that no fatalities occurred during the altercation.
