The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State Chapter, on Monday, suspended the activities of all transport unions in public motor parks across the state as the Nigeria Police Force deployed operatives to motor parks following violent clashes linked to the leadership crisis in the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The decision came after factions of the NURTW and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), alongside civil society groups and students, staged protests across major motor parks in Osogbo over alleged insecurity.
The protest was followed by reports of sporadic gunshots around the Old Garage and Ota-Efun areas of the state capital, forcing residents and commuters to flee.
Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, Lanre Balogun, ALGON Vice Chairman and Chairman of Ilesa East Local Government, said the decision was taken to prevent further violence, noting that motor parks and garages had become centers of recurring clashes and killings.
According to Balogun, local governments are acting within their constitutional powers to manage public motor parks and restore order.
“The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State Chapter, hereby suspends the activities of all transport unions in Osun State, including motorcycle and tricycle unions, in all public motor parks with immediate effect,” he said.
Balogun expressed confidence that the measure would improve safety and security across the state. He also called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to take control of motor parks in the 30 local government areas and the Ife East Area Office (Modakeke) to protect lives and property.
“Our motor parks have gradually become criminal hideouts and are no longer safe for members of the public. Consequently, people are beginning to lose confidence in the park and garage system, which remains the primary means of transportation across the state. While we are still grappling with these security challenges, another protest erupted today in motor parks and garages across the state, creating tension and panic before the timely intervention of the Nigeria Police Force.
“If the governor chooses political considerations over public safety, we, as elected local government chairmen, cannot fold our arms and allow facilities under our lawful authority to become threats to peace and security,” he said.
He further urged security agencies to investigate and arrest individuals linked to recent violence, including factional NURTW chairman Nurudeen Alowonle, while assuring that local government chairmen would continue consultations with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders before determining the next steps.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command confirmed that it responded to protests by a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), whose members alleged they had been denied access to motor parks by a rival group.
Police spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers were deployed after receiving distress calls and used minimal force to disperse protesters and restore normalcy following disruptions to public peace and commercial activities in Osogbo.
He added that security personnel have been stationed at motor parks across the state to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Ojelabi urged all parties to cease hostilities and seek peaceful resolution of their grievances through dialogue.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, also appealed to residents to remain calm, continue their lawful activities, and support security agencies with credible information, while cautioning against the spread of unverified information capable of escalating tensions.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
