February 25, 2015 – At least two people were feared killed when rival factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed in Oshodi, Lagos in the early hours of Wednesday.
Eye witnesses say that the warring factions unleased dangerous weapons including guns, cutlasses and cudgels in an overnight clash that led to destruction of properties worth several millions.
Several vehicles were torched in the onslaught. At least 12 vehicles were said to have been burnt and several others vandalised.
Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Kenneth Nwosu said there was a failed attempt to breach public peace at Oshodi by some rival factions of the NURTW and that his men responded swiftly.
He attributed the incident to what happened last Thursday but that the one person was killed in the mayhem while nine persons were arrested.
As at 10 in the morning, policemen from the RRS and others have been deployed to the scene to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
“One person was shot and nine persons have been arrested. We have recovered seven cutlasses and seven extended cartridges. We will ensure that there is permanent peace in the area”, he said, adding that 20 people arrested last week have been charged to court for prosecution.
In his reaction, Executive Secretary Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area, Mr. Mustapha Moshood Abiola said he will work with the security agents to ensure that normalcy returns to Oshodi permanently.
“This problem started last week from the Odi-Olowo axis. There were some area boys that invaded the park in order to take over the garage. During the process, two buses were burnt during the fracas. They invaded Mosafejo Community and the park again from the other side. And they burnt 12 buses and more than 12 buses were vandalized”, he said.
