Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and the Osun State Police Command have reacted to Monday’s clash involving factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), following a protest that disrupted commercial activities in parts of Osogbo.
Governor Adeleke, in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, condemned the early morning disruption of public peace across motor parks in Osogbo and called on security agencies to arrest Asiri Eniba and other alleged APC thugs accused of leading the attacks.
The governor condemned what he described as repeated shootings and the intimidation of innocent residents around the Old Garage and other motor parks in Osogbo.
Adeleke also alleged that police officers provided cover for Asiri Eniba and other APC thugs during the incident, claiming that videos of sporadic shootings involving Asiri Eniba and his group had circulated widely on social media while lorry loads of policemen accompanied the group as they moved across motor parks in the state.
He disclosed that he had personally drawn the attention of the Inspector-General of Police and other service chiefs to the incident and demanded the immediate arrest of Asiri Eniba over what he described as open defiance of public security.
The governor questioned why a protest would target innocent commuters at motor parks, warning that his administration might review its support for the NURTW in the state.
Adeleke expressed confidence that the Alowonle-led leadership of the Osun NURTW would call its members to order, warning that if the alleged disorderly conduct by Asiri Eniba continues, the state government may be compelled to reintroduce the Park Management System across motor parks in Osun.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command confirmed that a protest by a faction of the NURTW later escalated into clashes involving another faction of the union in Osogbo.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command expressed concern over the incident, explaining that the protest was triggered by allegations that vehicles belonging to one faction were prevented from entering the garage by the dominant faction.
The police said officers responded immediately after receiving a distress call about the disruption of public peace and commercial activities, adding that minimal force was used to disperse the protesters and restore normalcy.
According to the command, security personnel have since been deployed to various motor parks across the state to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.
The police called on leaders and members of the affected factions to end all hostilities and embrace peaceful dialogue or channel their grievances through the appropriate authorities.
The command also urged all stakeholders to exercise restraint and avoid actions or statements capable of escalating tensions while relevant authorities determine those responsible for managing the parks.
It assured residents that the police and other security agencies had been directed to maintain law and order, protect lives and property and conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident.
The command warned that anyone found to have engaged in violence or any other criminal act would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, advised members of the public to remain calm, go about their lawful activities without fear and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to support ongoing investigations.
He also urged residents to refrain from spreading unverified information capable of causing panic or further inflaming the situation.
