Bloody clashes: Sanwo-Olu’s RTEAN ban timely, say auto journalists

The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), the umbrella association of automotive reporters in Nigeria, has commended the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his swift action in suspending all activities of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in the state following the recent restiveness between rival members of the group in Iyana-Iba, Ojo and Lagos Island areas of the state.

Mike Ochonma, Chairman of NAJA, made the commendation in a press statement he issued after the ban on the activities of RTEAN.

The chairman of NAJA stated that the ban by his the governor became imperative to prevent further breakdown of law and order in the state.

He called for more restraint and caution from RTEAN members to allow the state government to take necessary steps that would not only restore peace and decorum from the association, but more importantly, guarantee the security of lives of defenseless Lagos commuters going about their normal business.

The governor had also announced the constitution of a 35-man caretaker committee to take over activities of the union henceforth.

Heading the committee is Sulaiman Adeshina Raji with Bamgbose Oluseyi as deputy chairman.

During the clash last Wednesday, the transport union members were seen in a trending video clip engaging themselves in a free-for-all, hauling stones, bottles, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons at each other.

Two persons were reported killed during the clash.