NURTW: MC Oluomo, Istijaba factions engage in bloody clashes

Residents in some parts of Lagos ranging from Fagba, Mushin, Ayobo, Ekoro, Oke-Odo, Meiran/Ijaye and Abule-Egba to mention but a few now hold their hearts in their hands as unexpected clashes may erupt unexpectedly, Commuters suffer untold hardship, transporters lament, while Istijabah also said he had lost over N80m to the clash.

This has been so for some time but aggravated in April as there have been constant shootings which has affected economic, vehicles and human activities and People now go about in fear of the unknown.

Residents of the affected areas claimed that there were pockets of criminal activities ranging from stealing, theft, pick pocketing and vandalisation of property as hoodlums have taken advantage of the ongoing clashes between the loyalists of the suspended Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW, Lagos State, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo and Lagos State Chairman, Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria TOOAN, Alhaji Azees Abiola popularly known as Istijaba over the management of various tricycle parks in the state,

The clashes assumed another dimension Sunday as there were shootings at different times of the day in Ekoro, Kola, Mosalasi, Command, Ajasa, Meiran and Abule-Egba to mention but a few as commuters and residents took to their heels for safety while activities in the areas were paralysed for hours.

Eye witnesses’ account said property worth Millions of Naira were destroyed, stolen and snatched, it was also gathered that about 30 commercial vehicles were damaged during the tumor.

While this lasted, commuters were stranded at various bus-stops as transporters have hurriedly closed down their business for safety of their vehicles.

From the narration of the situation on Sunday, a transporter at Meiran Samuel Benedict said the fight began on Saturday evening when some loyalists took to tricycle parks to sack the existing park managers amidst intimidations.

According to him, the constant clashes in the area have resulted in hoodlums having their field day by stealing from people and harassing the transporters. ’Istijaba’s faction collects N800 daily as stipulated by TOOAN while MC Oluomo’s faction has no specific fee as they collect their daily fee based on their mood although their daily fee is not less than N2,100, sometimes they collect even more and failure to comply may amount to harassment.

At press time, residents of the affected areas were living in fear although Spokesperson, Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin has assured residents to go about their businesses peaceably.It was gathered that the clashes have led to increase in fares as some area boys have hijacked the situation to cause increase in fares.

Also efforts to reach Alhaji Akinsanya were unsuccessful as calls to his cell phones were left unattended to.

Earlier, Spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin said Policemen have been deployed to strategic places to put things in order.