One Injured As NURTW Members Clash In Ondo

There was pandemonium in Ikare Akoko, the headquarters of Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed on Monday.

Naija News learned that one resident of the community, Semiu Aliu, who was deaf and dumb was hit by stray bullets during the violent clash.

As the two factions of the NURTW in the area were shooting sporadically, shop owners and market women in the area hurriedly closed their shops as the people around the area ran helter-skelter for safety.

Vehicular movement was also halted for several hours forcing many people to trek to their destination.

An eyewitness said, “The crisis started when some NURTW members were seen loading passengers at Oloko area where the government had banned them from loading.

“After they were challenged, the drivers obeyed and left the park. But they later came back in their number and started throwing stones. When that was going on, the rain started and that made everyone leave the scene.

“After the rain subsided, they came out again with guns and started shooting sporadically. One person from the Okela axis was shot. He was rushed to Oke Royal Hospital where he was receiving treatment.”

In a chat with reporters, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the sad incident, saying that one person was shot and quickly rushed to the hospital.

She, however, said normalcy had returned to the community after the intervention of the men of the command.

“One person was shot and quickly rushed to the hospital in the Ikare area,” she said.