The Oyo State Police Command on Saturday said it would arraign all the arrested transporters and other suspects who were involved in the Friday clash between two rival transport unions in Ibadan, the state capital.

The peace in the city was tainted with violence on Friday, as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria clashed at various motor parks, with both parties recording casualties.

The motor parks affected are Oremeji Agugu, Olomi, Apata and Iwo Road.

The police in the state had arrested a number of suspects in connection with the mayhem, while the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade, called a meeting with leaders of the rival groups to warn them to desist from any activity capable of disturbing the peace of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Adekunle Ajisebutu, told our correspondent that those arrested would be arraigned in court on Monday.

He said, “Some people were involved in violent clashes in Ibadan on Friday and police moved in quickly to quell the fight. Some of those involved in the fight were arrested. On Monday, they will be charged to court for disturbing the peace in the city.

“The state commissioner had held a meeting with the leaders of both parties and warned that anyone involved in unlawful act would be arrested and charged to court.

“There is no place for brigandage in the state and we once again appeal to members of the public to always volunteer information with the aim of putting an end to a crime before it gets out of hand.”

There were fears of further trouble in the affected areas and other parts of the city by the rival groups but our correspondent, who took a tour of the areas on Saturday, observed the presence of police patrol vehicles in the areas.

Ajisebutu stated that the police was on top of the situation.

Eyewitnesses at Monatan area of the city, where the clash was heaviest on Friday, said dangerous weapons were used in the fight while gunshots rent the air. He said traders and commuters had to seek refuge in nearby houses and store.

One of the eyewitnesses in Monatan, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reason, said, “I was at the market when fight broke out. We thought it was between two motor park workers but within five minutes, it spread and dangerous weapons were used in the fight.

“After we sought shelter at a nearby supermarket, we heard several rounds of gun shots. It lasted for about 45 minutes.”

Secretary of the NURTW in Oyo, Mr. Akin James, said the RTEAN members caused the mayhem, while a member of the RTEAN, Mr. Muftau Aleshinoye, alleged that the NURTW had been extorting money from the RTEAN members.

 

Source: Punchng.com

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