Posted by By TUNDE RAHEEM Akure on
Barely a week after the murder of Lagos Branch leader of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Saka Saula, another leader of the union was gunned down at the weekend.
Barely a week after the murder of Lagos Branch leader of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Saka Saula, another leader of the union was gunned down at the weekend.
The killing this time took place in Ondo State and the victim was Mr Idowu Awotibo, a former Chairman of the union who was recontesting the seat.
Awotibo was the branch chairman of Ipele branch of NURTW in Owo Local Government Area of the state, where he was killed.
His intention to run for second term had led to serious division within the union as some members, who had been nursing the same ambition saw him as a threat.
It was gathered that an opposition group in the union had nominated one Bunkunmi Ojo, while the other group wanted Awotibo to continue for second term of another four years.
The crisis however got to a peak three weeks ago when Awotibo and his supporters were sacked from office and also banished from the town by the opposition group who defeated Awotibo's group in a clash.
Awotibo was killed on a day, when the state Chairman of the Union, Prince Solomon Adejayan led a reconciliatory team to Ipele. As soon as the rival group sighted Awotibo arriving at the parley, they started shooting until they killed him.
The killing led to an outbreak of violence, as the two group engaged themselves in free for all fight while various dangerous weapons were freely used.
The victim's body had been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre Owo, as those who sustained injury were receiving treatment at the State Specialist hospital in the town.
Police spokesman in Ondo, Mr Adeniran Aremu while confirming the incident said that the police had made some arrests in connection with the murder while investigation had begun. He added that the area had become calm, as more policemen had been deplored to the town to forestall breakdown of law and order.