The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arraigned factional Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Tajudeen Baruwa, over the forceful takeover of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Also arraigned alongside him were the union’s factional General Secretary, Sulaiman Musa, and five others in connection with the incident.
The NURTW has been embroiled in an internal leadership crisis for about two years following a disputed delegates’ conference expected to produce new leadership.
On Monday, a faction of the union led by Baruwa reportedly stormed the national secretariat in Garki II, Abuja, in an attempt to enforce a court order reinstating him as union leader.
The group allegedly forced policemen stationed at the secretariat to take cover during the takeover.
In a statement issued by the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the police said the suspects attempted to enforce a court order without the presence of court sheriffs and other authorised officials.
Police said a distress call was received around 7:00 a.m. reporting that about 300 individuals armed with cutlasses, bottles, bows and arrows had stormed the secretariat and were removing items from the premises.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Isyaku Sharu, led a response team to the scene.
According to the police, the situation escalated into a physical confrontation when another faction of the union resisted the takeover, leading to injuries.
One victim reportedly sustained severe machete wounds and was rescued by police, while others were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The police also dismissed viral social media reports claiming officers shot at NURTW members, describing the claims as false and misleading.
The suspects were subsequently charged at Magistrate Court 1, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, while normalcy has been restored to the area.
The FCT Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order and urged residents to provide timely information through its emergency lines.
