7 Injured As Factional Transport Unions Clash Over Park Control In Ogun

No fewer than seven motor parks attendants working for the Ogun State Parks Management Board (OGSPAM) were on Monday critically injured during the violent clash that erupted among factional members of two transport unions over control of motor parks across the state.

The clash, which started around 7.a.m, involved union members working for OGSPAM under the chairmanship of Alhaji Akeem Bodunrin, popularly referred to as “Iyeru” and his arch rival in the National Union of Road Transport Union (NURTW), one Mustapha Ismaila, who is popularly called “Yaro”.

The fracas, which started from the popular Kuto Garage, later spread to the Lafenwa Market, Ita – Oshin and Obantoko Motor Parks, as well as Odeda township among other motor parks.

Although no live was lost in the melee, LEADERSHIP however, gathered that the injured persons were mostly the OGSPAM attendants that resisted the Yaro-led NURTW leadership that allegedly enjoy the backing of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) of the Ogun State Police Command.

Trouble started when members loyal to Yaro entered the motor parks across the state to enforce the state government’s directives, instructing it to resume operations after allegedly sacking the Iyeru-led OGSPAM board.

Our correspondent further recalled that prior to the establishment of OGSPAM, there had been a no-love-lost relationship between Iyeru and Yaro, both of whom were members of the state chapter of the NURTW over the leadership of the union in Ogun.

The Monday clash between loyalists of the two union leaders was however said to have been fueled by a directive originated from the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tokunbo Talabi, which ordered the Yaro-led NURTW to resume operations in the two other Senatorial districts of Ogun Central and West.

The development was however said to have been resisted by the hitherto NURTW members now working for the Iyeru-led OGSPAM, who believed that Yaro forced on them by the SSG.

While the palpable tension, which started since Monday morning lasted till late hours in the afternoon, LEADERSHIP observed that scores of stern-looking police operatives were deployed to strategic parks within the Abeokuta metropolis, while the new park attendants working for the NURTW were busy conducting their businesses unhindered.

When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Omotola Odutola declined comment, maintaining that official statements would be released for the public at the appropriate time.