Unspecified number of suspects have been arrested after a fracas broke out in Ilorin, on Thursday, between members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Tricycle Operators and Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria, RTEAN.
DAILY POST reports that the free-for-all involving the three transport unions, broke out at Okolowo area of Ilorin following a minor accident.
The State Police Command received the report of the fracas at about 1000hrs.
The fight according to the spokesman of the Command, Mr Okasanmi Ajayi occurred over a minor accident between a tricycle rider and a Mitsubishi Canter driver, which degenerated into a brawl among the groups.
“The crisis later extended to the Oloje, Alore and Omoda areas of the Ilorin metropolis, with windshields and rear lights of some vehicles damaged,” he said.
The police spokesman said prompt dispatch of the Command’s Tactical Units and other conventional policemen by the Commissioner of Police, Tuesday Assayomo, coupled with the professional manner the situation was handled, ultimately restored sanity in the affected areas.
The Commissioner of Police, who expressed his displeasure at the rate some transport operators were inclined to lawlessness in the State, charged the leaders of all transport unions in the State to call their members to order.
He vowed never to allow any person or group of persons jeopardize the peace currently in existence in Kwara State.
Although no injury or casualty was recorded in the fracas, the police commissioner said the suspects arrested would be charged to court after completion of investigations into the matter.
Meanwhile, the CP has placed teams of police men in the area to monitor and arrest any person found instigating any act of lawlessness, while advising members of the public to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of harassment or intimidation.
