Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has threatened to strip the National Union of Road Transport Workers of the management of motor parks across the state if recurring violence linked to the union persists.
The governor issued the warning on Monday following fresh clashes at motor parks in Osogbo, the state capital, where gunshots reportedly disrupted commercial activities and sent commuters and residents fleeing for safety.
A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said Adeleke condemned what he described as a coordinated disturbance of public peace allegedly led by a chieftain identified as Asiri Eniba and some members of the All Progressives Congress.
He called on security agencies to arrest those behind the violence without delay.
The governor also expressed concern over what he alleged was police protection for individuals involved in the unrest, claiming that videos circulating on social media showed armed men firing shots while accompanied by security personnel.
“The video of sporadic shooting by Asiri and his gang is everywhere on social media. Lorry loads of policemen accompanied Asiri and his group as they paraded across motor parks in the state,” Adeleke alleged.
He disclosed that he had reported the incident to the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible.
“I have personally called the attention of the Inspector-General of Police and other service chiefs to these open attacks on public peace. I demand the immediate arrest of Asiri Eniba for this open defiance of public security,” the governor said.
Adeleke questioned the rationale behind the attacks, insisting that no political disagreement should endanger the lives of innocent residents and commuters using public transport facilities.
He warned that the state government would not hesitate to withdraw the control of motor parks from the NURTW and restore the Park Management System if the violence continued.
“I believe the Alowonle leadership of Osun NURTW will call its members to order. If this Asiri Eniba’s disorderly conduct continues, our government may be forced to revert to the Park Management System across Osun motor parks,” he stated.
The governor’s warning signals a possible reversal of the earlier decision that returned the management of motor parks to the NURTW following legal and political developments in the state.
He maintained that public facilities must not be turned into centres of violence or political confrontation, stressing that his administration would not tolerate actions capable of disrupting public peace and economic activities.
Adeleke urged security agencies to take decisive action to restore order and ensure that all those responsible for the shootings and other criminal acts are arrested and prosecuted.
The latest development comes days after the governor condemned a suspected cult-related killing in Osogbo and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend those behind the attack.
Describing the killing and the subsequent violence as unacceptable, Adeleke warned that cult-related activities and other criminal acts must not be allowed to worsen the state’s security situation.
As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Police Command had yet to publicly respond to the governor’s allegations regarding the deployment of police personnel during the incident.
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