Pandemonium in Osogbo as NURTW protest shuts motor parks, police deploy tactical teams

Pandemonium in Osogbo as NURTW protest shuts motor parks, police deploy tactical teams

Commercial and transportation activities were severely disrupted across Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Monday after widespread protests by factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) forced the closure of major motor parks amid allegations of escalating violence and insecurity.

The unrest, which caused panic among residents and commuters, followed reports of sporadic gunfire in parts of the city from about 10:00 a.m., prompting security agencies to deploy tactical operatives to restore order.

The protest, which began as early as 6:30 a.m., saw transport workers, civil society groups and students converge on key motor parks across Osogbo, demanding urgent intervention from the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies over what they described as persistent attacks on transport operators.

According to the protesting union members, the demonstrations were triggered by a series of violent incidents that have disrupted transport activities, forced many drivers off the roads and left passengers afraid to use public transport.

Leading the protest, the factional Secretary of the NURTW, Fatai Oyegoke, accused the Nurudeen Alowonle-led leadership of turning motor parks into “battlefields” through repeated violent clashes.

He alleged that transport workers had endured several days of attacks allegedly linked to Nurudeen Alowonle and Sikiru Oyeniyi, popularly known as Ado Igona, resulting in widespread fear and economic losses.

“Businesses have collapsed. Drivers have fled. Passengers are afraid. We are calling on the Inspector-General of Police to intervene immediately and restore peace to our motor parks,” Oyegoke said.

He further alleged that the crisis was connected to the killing of Adelodun Olamilekan Lateef, claiming the incident triggered a series of reprisal attacks across transport hubs in the state.

The protesters also claimed that an innocent child and a septuagenarian sustained gunshot injuries during the violence. However, the police had not officially confirmed those allegations as of the time of filing this report.

Carrying placards demanding the arrest of Nurudeen Alowonle and Sikiru Oyeniyi, the demonstrators called for a comprehensive overhaul of security arrangements at motor parks across Osun State, insisting that normal transport operations could not resume without adequate protection.

The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) also joined the protest, with its factional Secretary, Akeem Kareem, condemning the worsening security situation and urging authorities to restore order.

Similarly, the Local Government Development Initiative (LGDI) criticised what it described as the failure of the state’s security architecture.

Its Director of Mobilisation, Comrade Omololu Abidoye, urged security agencies to investigate everyone allegedly connected to the violence, stressing that political interests should never be allowed to override public safety.

“Motor parks belong to the people, not to criminals. We cannot continue to witness violence while innocent citizens suffer,” Abidoye said.

Responding to the unrest, the Osun State Police Command confirmed that it had deployed tactical teams, patrol vehicles and additional security personnel to major flashpoints across Osogbo to prevent further violence.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Zachariah Ojelabi, said officers responded immediately after receiving reports of the disturbances and had restored normalcy to affected locations.

“We have swung into action immediately the incident was reported. Our officers are on the ground across strategic locations to prevent any breakdown of law and order,” he said.

Ojelabi assured residents that the command would not tolerate violence, intimidation or acts of thuggery, warning that anyone found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted.

He also urged transport unions, community leaders and members of the public to remain calm and channel grievances through lawful means rather than resorting to violence.

By Monday afternoon, heavily armed security operatives had taken positions at major motor parks and key intersections across Osogbo to reassure residents and prevent any further disruption of commercial activities.

Reacting to the crisis, Governor Ademola Adeleke condemned the disruption of public peace and called on security agencies to arrest Asiri Eniba and others he alleged were responsible for the attacks.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor described the reported shootings around Old Garage and other motor parks as unacceptable and urged security agencies to take immediate action to restore order.

Governor Adeleke also alleged that videos circulating on social media showed armed individuals causing unrest in parts of Osogbo and said he had already contacted the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other security chiefs to demand urgent intervention.

He warned that if the violence persisted, his administration might reconsider the current management structure of motor parks and restore the Park Management System previously used across the state.

The latest disturbances come amid heightened political and security tensions in Osun State, with stakeholders expressing concern that continued violence around motor parks could threaten public safety, disrupt economic activities and undermine confidence in the state’s transport system.

Security analysts say sustained intelligence gathering, prompt law enforcement action and dialogue among transport unions will be crucial to preventing further clashes and maintaining peace across the state.

Authorities have appealed to residents to remain vigilant, avoid spreading unverified information and report suspicious activities through official security channels as investigations into the incidents continue.

 

Pandemonium in Osogbo as NURTW protest shuts motor parks, police deploy tactical teams