Oshodi crisis: LASG suspends NURTW activities indefinitely

 

By Benjamin Omoike, Joy Anyim -  

 

 

 The Lagos state government has suspended indefinitely the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), in the seven branches of the union in the Oshodi axis of the state. This is the fallout of a stakeholders’ meeting which held in Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday following the continued violence that attended the death of Alhaji Rasaq Bello, aka Hamburger, a leader of the MOALS, an affiliate of NURTW, at Shogunle area of Oshodi on May 29.

Addressing pressmen after the meeting on decisions reached, Acting Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos state, Prince Lanre Elegushi, said while the order lasts, there would be no collection of tickets and fees from commuter buses operating in the area.

“A team of State Government officials and security personnel has been mandated to oversee and monitor the transport operations within the seven branches. They are not to collect any ticket or fees from transport operators therein. “The suspension will remain in force until peace and tranquillity returns to the area. This will be based on appropriate security reports,” he said. Elegushi said for the avoidance of doubt, police investigations were ongoing regarding the said death, and that all persons found culpable would be prosecuted in line with the dictates of the laws.

He said it was important to also emphasise that all rumour mongering, insinuations and unverified or unfounded facts should be avoided in the sake of peaceful coexistence. He added that any escalation of the crisis arising from the ban will lead to government taking sterner actions against the branches where such violence is recorded.

 In the same vein, Chairman Lagos State NURTW, Tajudeen Agbede, said he and his men were in agreement with the decisions of the state government and would ensure full compliance, adding that he would go back to his base to further educate his members on the development. On his part, Lagos Deputy Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Oluwole Edgar, did not proffer much, saying investigation was ongoing and that details would be made available in the course of the week.

Daily Times