Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Monday protested across major motor parks in Osun State, demanding the immediate arrest of a factional state chairman of the union, Nurudeen Alowonle, who is an appointee of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

 

Describing Alowonle as a security threat to the union, the protesters maintained that his activities had disrupted transportation businesses across the state and exposed passengers to danger.

 

It is recalled that during the recent visit of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu to Osun, the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan had reported Alowonle as one of wanted suspects being accommodated by Adeleke’s in the Government House.

 

However, during the protest, which began in the morning, the demonstrators alleged violent actions of Alowonle and his associates have driven many members of NURTW out of business, lamenting commuters have reportedly lost confidence in the safety of public transportation in recent times.

 

Addressing journalists in Osogbo, the factional Secretary of the NURTW, Alhaji Fatai Oyegoke, alleged that Alowonle’s actions had crippled transportation businesses in the state.

 

He explained that the alleged conduct of the factional chairman, regarding political issues, had negatively affected the livelihoods of transport workers and warned that if left unchecked, it could further threaten the peace of Osun State.

 

“We are out this morning to call the attention of the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to the crisis in the NURTW in Osun. Alowonle has ignited unnecessary crisis in the state’s transportation system. He was alleged to have been in possession of arms and ammunition. We can no longer do our business, and that is our only means of livelihood.

 

“To protect our buses and ensure public safety, we therefore call on the police and other security agencies to secure our motor parks, protect our businesses and guarantee the safety of transport workers.”

 

Oyegoke, subsequently charged the police to intensify efforts to arrest Alowonle and Sikiru Oyeniyi, alleging that they were behind the recent violence attacks, which recently heightened security concerns across motor parks in the state.

 

Also speaking, the Director of Mobilisation of the Local Government Development Initiative (LGDI), Comrade Omololu Abidoye, described the development as an indictment on the police and other security agencies, emphasising the need for the Police to do the needful.