- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) chieftain, Tajudeen Baruwa, and six others following clash at the union’s headquarters in Abuja.
NPO Reported that some loyalists of Baruwa and suspected hoodlums had on Monday stormed the NURTW headquarters following court ruling which sacked the union’s National President, MC Oluomo.
While Baruwa had claimed to have arrived at the headquarters to assume office as the new leader as directed by the court, chaos had however erupted at the premises as loyalists and Oluomo’s allies clashed.
The hoodlums could be seen armed with sticks, machetes, and other dangerous weapons.
With the clash leaving three injured, the police effectively swooped in, arresting Baruwa and the other suspects.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
Adeh, however, debunked videos circulating on social media alleging police personnel shot NURTW members
The police spokesperson held that the videos were “false and misleading” with the intention to “arouse public sentiment and misinform residents”.
She said the command received a distress call at about 7:00 a.m. on Monday, reporting about 300 individuals storming the NURTW headquarters in Garki.
Adeh said the individuals, armed with cutlasses, bottles, bows and arrows, were reportedly removing items from the premises.
“In a swift response, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr Isyaku Sharu, led a team to the scene.
“Preliminary investigations showed the suspects were attempting to enforce a court order without court sheriffs or authorised officials present,” Adeh said.
She said the action escalated into a confrontation when other NURTW members resisted the move.
Adeh said one union member sustained a severe machete injury to the neck during the clash.
She said the victim was rescued, while others with varying injuries were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Adeh said the seven suspects had been charged to court and normalcy restored in the area.
She reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all FCT residents.