The Lagos State Government has announced an indefinite suspension of activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at Eyin Eyo, Church Street, and Idumota Bridge in Lagos Island.
The ban by the state government follows the recent violent clashes by 2 factions of the transport union in that area in which there were reported casualties and injured persons.
This was made known by the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, at a stakeholders meeting comprising NURTW, Central Business District, CBD, and Lagos State Market Women Association (Iya Oloja General and Iya Oloja of Lagos Island) held at Alausa, Ikeja, to address the crisis often caused by activities of transport union members.
Fayinka said that the ban was to prevent further acts of violence in that axis, adding that the Lagos State Parks Monitoring Authority will resume work at Eyin Eyo.
What the Lagos State Governor’s aide on Transportation is saying
Fayinka stated that the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, has been directed to deploy Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) on Idumota Bridge to deter motorists from driving against traffic in compliance with traffic rules and regulations.
He said that the RRS are also expected to enforce the suspension of the NURTW within the axis and simultaneously flush out the Oju Opake boys lurking along Plaza around Church Street axis.
Also suspended are the activities of the transport union at Church Street and John Street, particularly Keke Marwa and Mini Buses (Korope).
Fayinkaa said, “State security operatives are hereby put on red alert to ensure safety and security of lives and properties in Lagos Island and environs.’’
Speaking at the occasion, the Iya Oloja, Lagos Island, Alhaja Risikat Odumosu, appreciated the action taken by the Lagos State Governor, as well as expressed her displeasure at the wanton looting and destruction of their goods in shops around Idumota area.
She appealed to the state government to come to their rescue, adding that they will not stand back and watch their properties destroyed by miscreants.
What you should know
- Recall that a few days ago, there was a deadly clash between 2 factions of the NURTW at the Idumota area of
- Lagos Island, with 2 people feared dead and several properties destroyed.
- The 2 factions, Eyo boys, reportedly loyal to a union leader known as Kunle Poly, and Kosoko boys – have been at loggerheads over control of territory in the bustling commercial centre with the Eyo boys, reported to be expecting the Kosoko boys collecting levies from commercial bus drivers on Idumota Bridge to make returns, but the latter declined.
- The Lagos State Rapid Response Squad later announced the arrest of prominent members of the NURTW in the state, Kunle Poly and Sego, over their alleged involvement in the clash.
