There were heavy gunshots in Itori, Ewekoro LGA of Ogun State as rival transport union members clashed.
The leaders of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), their counterparts in the Ogun State Park Management (OGSPAM) and those of the newly approved Ogun State Operations Management Service (OSOMS) reportedly attacked one another, firing shots and using other weapons.
The transporters were said to have met at Itori Day, an annual festival organised by the Olu of Itori, Oba Fatai Akamo.
Our correspondent gathered that some of the union leaders sustained serious bullet and machete injuries in the melee, which disrupted the festival for hours, even with Governor Dapo Abiodun and other government functionaries in attendance.
It was further learnt that union leaders, including some motorcycle union members, had followed Gov Abiodun to the event.
It was said that while some leaders of the unions sustained injuries, those with ‘other powers’ escaped unscathed.
The police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident, saying those behind the riot would be brought to book.
Oyeyemi, who said no arrest has been made, stressed that the police would not allow any group or individual to turn Ogun into a battlefield.
“It is true there was a riot at Itori Day yesterday, though we didn’t record any casualty. The hoodlums fought one another and went away immediately. But we are on their trail. Because we will not allow these hoodlums to be taking us for granted, we will not!
“One, this is a festive period; second, the election is fast approaching. So, we should not allow some group of thugs to be carrying out thuggery and brigandage in Ogun State.
“We have sounded that note of warning. All those who perpetrated that crime yesterday, we are on their trail and we will get them.
“We were told they were transport union members, even though we cannot pinpoint anybody. The actual cause of that crisis is what we want to find out and we are going to lay our hands on those who were involved in it,” Oyeyemi said.
