Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Monday staged protests across major motor parks in Osun State, demanding the immediate arrest of factional state chairman, Nurudeen Alowonle, an appointee of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The protesters accused Alowonle of posing a security threat to the union, alleging that his activities have disrupted transportation businesses across the state and endangered the safety of passengers.
The protest follows reports made during the recent visit of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, to Osun State, where the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, allegedly identified Alowonle as one of the wanted suspects reportedly being sheltered at the Government House.
Speaking during the demonstration in Osogbo, the factional Secretary of the NURTW, Alhaji Fatai Oyegoke, alleged that Alowonle and his associates had forced many transport workers out of business through violent activities, adding that commuters had also lost confidence in the safety of public transportation.
Oyegoke said the ongoing crisis had severely affected the livelihoods of transport workers and warned that the situation could further threaten peace and security in the state if not addressed.
He called on the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies to intervene by securing motor parks, protecting transport workers and ensuring the safety of commuters.
“We are calling the attention of the Inspector-General of Police to the crisis within the NURTW in Osun State. Alowonle has ignited unnecessary conflict in the state’s transport system. He was alleged to have been in possession of arms and ammunition. We can no longer operate our businesses, which remain our only source of livelihood,” Oyegoke said.
He also urged the police to intensify efforts to arrest Alowonle and Sikiru Oyeniyi, alleging that both individuals were responsible for recent violent attacks that heightened insecurity in motor parks across the state.
Also speaking, the Director of Mobilisation of the Local Government Development Initiative (LGDI), Comrade Omololu Abidoye, described the situation as an indictment on the police and other security agencies, urging them to take immediate action to restore peace and security.