By KEMI KASUMU
The Abiodun Alabi-led Lagos State Police Command, recorded a major success securing the state Friday, when it moved swiftly to curb a National Union of Transport Workers (NURTW) factions’ clash that would have led to huge security issues.
Problem started early in the morning when some thugs, believed to be working for one Istijabah and bearing “heavy duty” guns and other dangerous weapons, stormed the Toll Gate/Alagbado axis on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and started shooting sporadically into the air, an eyewitness account told The DEFENDER.
According to the source, “It is Istijabah, that is what the man is called, the head of Agbero in Kola, Alagbado area, whose boys we know very well tried to take over parks and body stops, beyond the area from Kola and Moshalasi he already controls, up to Toll Gate.
“This attempt to take over the parks was met with resistance as those already there would not allow themselves to be easily sent off the area. That was what we saw. We, however, hope these guys are not too powerful for the government and particularly the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies to bring under permanent check. This is because, activities of the Agbero thugs are already seen by many of us as insecurity being underreported and something fast should be done about it.
“Haba! The kind of guns I saw this morning from our hiding place, the political leaders in Lagos need to explain to Nigerians how those guns came to be in possession of those untrained gun handlers. We can also appeal to the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abiodun Alabi, to please track all these Agbero leaders to their bases with a view to mopping up these illegal weapons in their possession,” he said.
No details as at the time of filing this report with regard to casualty.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Adekunle Ajisebutu, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), confirmed the incident while responding to the enquiry by The DEFENDER.
CSP Ajisebutu said, “It was a brewing conflict over ticketing that would have led to a violent confrontation/crisis between two factions of NURTW in Kola Bus Stop area and its environs.”
According to the state Command’s Spokesman, “Police patrol teams from Alakuko, Agbado, Ijaiye-Ojokoro and reinforcements from the headquarters have been deployed to the area on the order of the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi.
“The place is calm. No threat to lives and property currently as the police are still maintaining their presence in the area,” he assured.
A similar NURTW clashes in Lagos Island, during which heavy guns were used and which claimed lives of people, had led to protest calls by residents and some civil society groups demanding that Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, ban the union and its activities in the the state.
