15 Injured, Properties Destroyed As NURTW, RTEAN Clash In Lagos

Fifteen persons have been injured and properties worth millions of naira destroyed during a clash between members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) around Apapa–Oshodi expressway in Lagos State.

Naija News gathered that the violence occurred on Wednesday around the Tin-Can first gate and the Fatgbems petrol station after some NURTW members attacked RTEAN members over ticket fees.

Trouble reportedly started when NURTW members approached the port to dislodge members of RTEAN, to issue tickets to truck drivers for a fee, but the RTEAN members vehemently oppose the move.

Fight, however, broke out as guns and other dangerous weapons were freely deployed.

Properties, including its electronic barriers, belonging to the Truck Transit Park Limited, TTP, were destroyed during the clash.

Speaking to Vanguard on the development, Vice Chairman of RTEAN, Comrade Adeola Adeyemi, said NURTW members are to blame for the violence.

He said: “I have reported this matter to the authorities severally for their intervention but, until yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) attack on us, there was no form of intervention.

“Before the attack, the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu invited both Unions to a meeting but members of the NURTW refused to attend the meeting.

“These unprovoked attacks have been going on in the last four weeks without any intervention by the authorities.”