Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Oyo State chapter, has urged the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force to curb the illegal activities of some of its men and officers.
Alhaji Oyerinde, who is also the leader of NURTW in the South West stated this while being hosted on one of Ibadan’s frontline radio stations, Fresh 105.9 FM on Saturday morning. It was monitored by PMParrot.
The NURTW Boss who was specifically invited to the station to discuss the Friday skirmish NURTW members had with Policemen at the Felele End of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The confrontation which was later reportedly taken over by miscreants led to traffic gridlock on the ever busy national highway for several hours.
Fele, as he is popularly called explained that “there is need for members of the Nigerian Police to change their tactics when they want to go out on patrol. Wearing native attires and jeans is not really okay in these times. The identity cards they attach to their chests are not enough.
“On that same Expressway, I have had encounters with men of the underworld twice who operated in mufti. It was God that saved me. So, if somebody stops you without wearing police uniform and he or she is operating with a Micra Nissan car in commercial colour, what do you do?
“Moreover, our policemen are not really doing what they are supposed to do. Let me give you this example – if a policeman stops a vehicle, a commercial vehicle transiting between Iwo Road and Challenge and all the passengers are sleeping, it is the right of the policeman to ask the driver why all his passengers are sleeping. They could have been drugged or under some kind of spell. But our policemen rarely ask this kind of question.”
While speaking about the driver who was reportedly manhandled by policemen, Fele confirmed that the driver is a son to an NURTW Bere Unit Chairman in Ibadan.
Said Fele “the young man is presently at the Hospital receiving treatment and God is taking care of the bills. He was not shot as people have been speculating.”
He also seized the opportunity to speak about his encounter with some journalists during the Friday hullabaloo.
His words “My men did not have any problem with journalists. The only issue was when one photo journalist tried to take my picture against the background of the vehicle that was vandalized and I objected. The issue was later amicably resolved. Journalists are our friends.”
Alhaji Oyerinde, while commenting on the issue of change of colours of commercial vehicles in Oyo State, said his union was in support.
“There was a time the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State confirmed that most kidnappers they apprehend at Ado Odo Ota in the state often confess that they pick people from Iwo Road in Ibadan and ferry them into Ogun State with Micra cars with the former Oyo colours.
“So, I will say it here that I support the colour change. The former colour is very common and with this new colour, we will be able to identify our people.
“Let me say here that we thank God for our Government in Oyo State that is doing this. The Government called me to inform me and I, in turn called our people four months ago to let them know of the colour change. So, I support the current clampdown on those who have not changed the colours of their vehicles. It is a security issue. So, my people should take it serious.”
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
