NURTW, Tricyclists Clash Claims Two Lives in Lagos

A clash between members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and tricycle operators at the Abule Egba area of Lagos, yesterday claimed two lives and left several others injured.

The deceased persons were said to have been allegedly shot dead during the clash, while soldiers of the Operation (OP) MESA with patrol vehicle marked LSD529CX, accused of shooting two other persons Michael Taiwo and Komolafe Lekan, both tricyclists, who sustained gunshot wounds.

The soldiers who were said to have been invited by NURTW, allegedly fired sporadically leading to the deaths and injuries recorded.

Already, the two injured men were said to be undergoing surgeries at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

According to reports, the relationship between the tricylists and NURTW had ruptured about a week ago and degenerated to the clash witnessed in the area.

It was gathered that the fight between both groups was as a result of the decision by the tricyclist union to disengage from the NURTW, a move that was not welcomed by the later.

It was also gathered that two of the thugs on NURTW’s side were apprehended and handed over to policemen at Miran and a pistol recovered from one of them.

The Chairman of Owode Community Development Association, Baba Seriki, who confirmed that people were fleeing their homes, urged the government to bring a lasting solution to the crisis.

He said: “There has been tension in this area since Monday. But it was on Saturday night that the two groups fought. We have been seeing thugs carrying cutlasses and bottles roaming the street.

“In fact, a young boy who came to live with a relative ran away that same day after seeing the thugs.

“Since that night, people have been leaving. It was a terrible experience. I went out and was coming back around 6pm, but was greeted with gunshots.

“This is something the government is aware of. They know about this crisis and so, I don’t understand why they can’t find a solution to it.”

Chairman, Abule Egba Tricycle Operators’ Union, Lukmon Ogede, claimed one of the arrested suspects disclosed that they were sent to kill him.

According to him, the suspect who had the pistol mentioned the name of an NURTW boss who sent them to kill him.

He said: “The only problem is that we have said we want to be on our own. We have our own certificate and are now affiliated to Trade Union Council (TUC).

“But NURTW wants us to still be under them so that they would be taxing us heavily as they usually do.