Less Than 24hrs After Kunle Poly, Sego’s Arrest, Lagos Govt Suspends NURTW Operations Indefinitely

Following a threat by the President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) that the union’s chapter in Lagos may be suspended, the State Government has suspended the transport union operations around Lagos Island particularly on Church Street, Eyin Eyo, and Idumota bridge indefinitely due to the recent clashes that crippled activities in Idumota axis of the state.

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In the aftermath of the clashes, Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Monday disclosed the arrest of Messrs Azeez Lawal, popularly known as ‘Kunle Poly’ and Mustapha Sego, whose groups engaged in a violent clash that left four people dead.

Lagos State Government full statement on the suspension below:

LASG SUSPENDS NURTW ACTIVITIES AT EYIN EYO, CHURCH STREET AND IDUMOTA BRIDGE

In a bid to fulfill one of the cardinal objectives of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the present administration in Lagos State as it relates to Security and Good Governance under Traffic Management and Transportation, the Lagos State Government has suspended the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) activities at Eyin Eyo, Church Street and Idumota Bridge indefinitely due to the recent violence in those areas.

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) at the Bagauda Kaltho Press center to tackle crisis often caused by the activities of the union, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Oluwatoyin Fayinka meted out the ban to prevent further acts of violence at idumota, adding that the Lagos State Parks Monitoring Authority will resume at Eyin Eyo.

Fayinka further stated that the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) will station an Armored 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 and simultaneously flush out the Oju Opake boys lurking along Plaza around Church Street axis.

Also suspended are the activities of the transport union at Church Street and John Street particularly Keke Marwa and Mini Buses (Korope). The Transport Special Adviser added that the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in collaboration with the State Police Command will ensure 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.

Appreciating the position just taken by State Government, the Iya Oloja, Lagos Island Alhaja Risikat Odumosu while expressing her displeasure at the wanton looting and destruction of their goods in shops around Idumota area, begged the State Government to come to their rescue adding that they will not stand back and watch their properties destroyed by miscreants whom they had never seen before.

Bolanle Ogunlola (Mrs.)
Asst. Director Public Affairs,
25th January, 2022.