NURTW Attack Zamfara Fire Service, Injure State Director, Principal Officers

The National Union of Road Transport Workers led by their chairman Hamisu Kasuwar Daji in Zamfara state has attacked the headquarters of the state Fire Service critically injuring the state Director of the Fire Service, principal officers and other staff, Daily Trust gathered.

The mayhem started after the NURTW members intercepted a vehicle belonging to one of the staff of the State Fire Service identified as Lawali Ahmad on allegations that he had canvassed for and carried passengers on his vehicle outside the motor park.

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Explaining his plight, Lawali said, “They said I should drive the vehicle into the motor park and I asked them for what reason. They said I have carried passengers but I told them that my vehicle is private; in fact I’m from garage . But, they insisted that I must drive the vehicle to motor park.

“This led to a heated debate and it was solved thereafter. I then drove my vehicle back to my office. Then, suddenly they arrived onboard about five buses wielding dangerous weapons. When they laid siege they quickly alighted from the buses and started hurling stones and other projectiles into our office.

“Some of them brought out machets and started inflicting injuries on our staff. They inflicted injuries on the head of our state Director and some of our principal officers and staff. Some of them are currently receiving treatment in a medical facility.”

On a visit to Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital by our correspondent the injured state Director of the Fire Service was found lying in a sick bed.

However, the state commissioner of Works and Transportation Alhaji Rabiu Garba Gusau whose ministry oversees the Fire Service spoke with our correspondent. He said they would not allow the matter to be swept under the carpet.

“All those involved in this dastardly act must not go unpunished. We have asked the relevant security agencies to investigate the case and those who led the attack have been arrested and more arrests will be made.

“The NURTW are notorious for taking laws into their hands and they have no basis to come to the government office and attack the staff there. We will follow the matter with diligence,” he fumed.

The NURTW officials in the state could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report. As their office was nearly empty when Daily Trust reporter visited.