NURTW Crisis: Pandemonium At Iyana Ekoro, As Supporters Of MC Oluomo, Istijabah Clash

By Akinwale Kasali

There was pandemonium in Iyana Ekoro, Meiran Area in Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, as supporters of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, who was recently appointed the Chairman of Lagos State Parks and Garages by the Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu administration and supporters of the Chairman of Tricycles Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria, TOOAN, Abiola Azeez, also known as Istijabah clashed

There were sporadic shootings in the area as shop owners closed shops, while passer-by and motorists scampered for safety.

Eyewitness report revealed that supporters of both men engaged one another in a fierce battle, brandishing guns and other dangerous weapons.

It was gathered that there was wanton destruction of vehicles, tricycles and degrees of injuries sustained by innocent people.

According to a Tricyclist who ran for safety leaving his tricycle behind, “I was attacked by some Agberos, who are supporters of MC Oluomo, they slapped and threatened to kill me because I had the poster and sticker of Istijabah, our Chairman,  on my tricycle”.

Activities in this area have been halted, as there was no presence of Police and other Security operatives at the scene as at the time of filing this report, despite the fact that Ile Epo Police Command was close to the scene of the violence.

For months now, MC Oluomo and Istijabah have been at loggerheads, leading to the suspension and removal of MC Oluomo as the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Lagos State Chapter.

It would be recalled that last week, supporters of both parties had also engaged in a free for all fight in Agege, and also in Fagba area of Lagos, down to Mainland and Lagos Island, as the leadership of the NURTW is not ready to relinquish power to MC Oluomo as stated by Lagos State Government who had ordered that activities in Lagos Parks and Garages must be controlled and supervised by MC Oluomo.

The power of dominance and control between the NURTW and the MC Oluomo led Lagos Parks and Garages is gradually becoming a menace to the State, as it has for weeks halted business activities due to violence and rioting from the two Groups.