Lagos govt bans activities of NURTW at Idumota axis

The Lagos State Government has suspended the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at Eyin Eyo, Church Street and Idumota Bridge indefinitely following the recent violence in the areas. 

The government disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting comprising the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Central Business District (CBD) and Lagos State Market Women Association (Iya Oloja General and Iya Oloja of Lagos Island) held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre to tackle crisis often caused by the activities of the union. 

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Oluwatoyin Fayinka pronounced the ban even as the national leadership of the union tendered an apology to members of the public and the state government over the crisis, saying it was not a party to it. 

Fayinka said the ban was to prevent further acts of violence at Idumota, adding that the Lagos State Parks Monitoring Authority will resume at Eyin Eyo. 

He stated that the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) will station an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) on Idumota Bridge to deter motorists from driving against traffic in compliance with traffic Rules and Regulations and to enforce the suspension of the NURTW within the axis. 

Also suspended are the activities of the transport union at Church Street and John Street particularly, Keke Marwa and Mini Buses (Korope). 

The Special Adviser added that the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in collaboration with the State Police Command will ensure the safety of lives in the area. 

“State Security Operatives are hereby put on red alert to ensure safety and security of lives and property in Lagos Island and environs,” Fayinka stated. 

As the ban was being announced, the national leadership threatened to impose an indefinite suspension on NURTW activities in Lagos State. 

Already, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), an anti-crime unit of the Lagos State Police Command, has arrested Kunle Poly and Tapa Sego, two ‘principal suspects’ in connection with the crisis. 

State Chairman of the union, Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo had charged the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the crisis, saying he was not aware of what led to the mayhem in Lagos Island. 

But the NURTW President, Tajudeen Baruwa in a statement condemned the killings and attacks, stating that the union would do everything possible to fish out the culprits in the incident.  

He hinted that the national body may suspend activities of the union in the state to allow for an independent investigation into the matter.  

Baruwa’s statement added: “The NURTW has followed this incident that brought Lagos Island to a chaotic situation, posing danger to lives and properties and grounding business activities in the area.  

“We hereby assure Lagosians, as the national body of NURTW, that something will be done to end such conduct. We cannot continue this way, putting a bad image on the entirety of the union, this is unacceptable. 

“The union is tendering its unreserved apology to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, entire Lagosians over inconvenience the ugly incident may have caused the state, its law abiding people, businesses that suffered the unrest, most. 

“We are using this medium to pass a strong message to the union members in Lagos at large, that the state’s council executives and NURTW operations in the state entirely may be suspended indefinitely to allow investigation on the incident to be carried out diligently.”