Sanwo-Olu Suspends NURTW Zones Over Idumota Clash

The Lagos State Government has suspended the operations of the Transport Union (NURTW) in Lagos Island following the recent feud between the camps of NURTW and MC Oluomo. 

AllNews Nigeria earlier reported that heavy crisis rocked factions of the NURTW in the Idumota area of Lagos Island on Thursday, January 20, 2022.

The two factions – Eyo boys, reportedly loyal to Kunle Poly, and Kosoko boys – have been at loggerheads over control of territory in Idumota.

On Monday, January 24, 2022, the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) arrested Kunle Lawal popularly known as Kunle Poly, and Mustapha Adekunle popularly known as Tafa Sego.

After a stakeholders meeting comprising NURTW, Central Business District, and Lagos State Market Women Association (Iya Oloja General and Iya Oloja of Lagos Island) at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Center, a join suspension was placed on NURTW activities at Eyin Eyo, Church Street, and Idumota Bridge.

“The Lagos State Government has suspended the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) activities at Eyin Eyo, Church Street and Idumota Bridge indefinitely due to the recent violence in those areas", reads the statement posted on social media.

Lagos State Govt has suspended the operations of the Transport Union (NURTW) in Lagos Island particularly on Church Street, Eyin Eyo, and Idumota bridge indefinitely due to the recent clashes that crippled activities in Idumota axis of the state. @PoliceNG @rrslagos767 pic.twitter.com/E2xGDQUAex

— Gboyega Akosile (@gboyegaakosile) January 25, 2022

Supervised by the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, the stakeholders meeting was to tackle crises often caused by the activities of members of the NURTW. 

During the meeting, Fayinka meted out the ban to prevent further acts of violence at idumota, adding that “the Lagos State Parks Monitoring Authority will resume at Eyin Eyo,” assistant director of public affairs, Bolanle Ogunlola said in a press statement on Tuesday. 

To enforce the ban, Fayinka said the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) together with other agencies such as the State Security Service (SSS) will station an Armored Personnel Carrier on Idumota Bridge. 

The presence of the security agents is to manage traffic while flushing out NURTW members belonging to the Kunle Poly faction otherwise called Oju Opake boys.

The ban on NURTW in these areas considered to be a factional stronghold may send mix signals especially coming immediately after a feud in revenue collection. 

The Kunle Poly faction of the NURTW lead these areas and have been at constant tussle for supreriority with the MC Oluomo faction, a faction many believe to have unclear relationships with the authorities.