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Five feared killed in Oshodi motor park clash

By Odita Sunday
25 February 2015   |   5:45 pm
FIVE persons were Wednesday feared killed while several others were injured during a fierce fighting between two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at Mosafejo, Oshodi.    The hoodlums, who used lethal weapons freely, also torched dozens of vehicles.    Already, seven suspects have been arrested by the police in connection with…

FIVE persons were Wednesday feared killed while several others were injured during a fierce fighting between two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at Mosafejo, Oshodi.

   The hoodlums, who used lethal weapons freely, also torched dozens of vehicles.

   Already, seven suspects have been arrested by the police in connection with the crisis, while machetes and expended cartridges were recovered at the scene.

   While the commotion lasted, passersby and motorists were robbed of their valuables by street urchins, popularly called “Area boys” who hijacked the crisis.

   The Guardian gathered that there has been internal fracas between the two factions of NURTW over who should be in control of the motor park.

   The battle for supremacy reached its peak about three weeks ago when a powerful politician gave the union a huge sum of money and a faction allegedly took the lion share. The action, The Guardian learnt, aggravated the anger of the faction.

   The faction who was not happy about the sharing formula was said to have fought the other faction about two weeks ago, where two persons lost their lives.

   The two weeks fight would have claimed more lives but for the quick intervention of the Lagos State Police Command, whose men and officers stormed the place and dispersed the warring union.

   A member of the NURTW, who simply identified himself as Ayinde (aka Oluwagbegbe) said, “two of our members were killed about a week now. Some of us were injured. We were quarrelling over who should be in control of Mosafejo Motor Park. We were only quarrelling but we later started fighting when some politicians brought big money for us to share. 

   “We all know the parties each and every one of us is supporting. So, if a member of PDP brings money now, those who are supporters of PDP will want to take the lion share. The same thing with APC. My brother, we are quarrelling over sharing fomular.

   “But what happened this time around is that we were not happy with our men that we lost in the previous fight. Some of our members who were injured during the attack felt that they would have died just like Wasiu and Ibadan. So, we decided to avenge. We stormed Oshodi around 1.00am and laid ambush for the idiots. 

   “When we saw some of the leaders, we started fighting. I know about four persons that were killed. 13 of our members that I know have been in the hospital since morning.”

   Another eyewitness, Adeleke said: “It was not NURTW members that killed the people or robbed passersby. It was touts and other hoodlums that cashed in on the crisis to smash vehicles and rob people. The real people who were fighting their war had left since 5am. It was those hoodlums looking for what to loot that escalated the fight.”

   The Guardian investigation revealed that guns, matchetes, daggers, bottles, acid, charms and other dangerous weapons were freely used during the war.

   The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Kenneth Nwosu, who confirmed the incident, said: “Only one person was gunned down by a faction of the warring groups who were fighting a battle of supremacy over who should take control of a park.   

   “Already seven persons are in our net over their roles in the break down of law and order at Oshodi. Right now, normalcy has returned as the police are presently on the ground to maintain law and order.” 

Every Lagosian should go about their normal businesses as the Police are there to protect lives and property”

  A Policeman in Mosafejo Division told The Guardian that their police station was located in a trouble den urging the Police authorities to fortify the station with sophisticated weapons so that they can protect themselves and their station.

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