NURTW: We clashed in Obalende over right to collect money — MC Oluomo
The Obalende area of Lagos was thrown into chaos as road transport workers clashed on Thursday.
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed with a rival union near a major police base.
State NURTW chairman Musiliu Akinsanya, alias MC Oluomo, has now stated the reason for the clash, and it seems to be all about money, power and control.
Oluomo, who spoke through his media aide Jimoh Buhari, said armed operatives of a rival union, the Road Transport Employers’ Association Of Nigeria (RTEAN), stormed NURTW park in Obalende on Thursday morning in order to take over toll collection at the location.
“It was the other union (RTEAN) that went to Obalende to attack NURTW men,” Oluomo’s spokesperson told Punch.
“Each of the unions has its own garage that it is operating within. But RTEAN, whose members put on yellow uniform, went to attack our men who put on a white and green uniform.
“We have like three unions in Lagos but there are two major unions –NURTW and RTEAN.
“One of them was caught and handed over to the police and he said it was the chairman of RTEAN, Musa Mohammed, who sent them to take over NURTW garage at Obalende.”
Police confirmed the clash, adding that normalcy had since returned.
