FCT Police Deny Shooting Allegations, Arrest Seven Suspects in NURTW Clash
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has firmly denied allegations of shooting at members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) during a recent incident in Abuja. In a statement released by the Command's Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the police described the claims circulating on social media as false and misleading, asserting that they are designed to manipulate public sentiment.
Details of the Incident and Arrests
According to the FCT Police Command, the situation unfolded on March 23, 2026, at approximately 7:00 a.m. The police received a distress call reporting that around 300 individuals, armed with weapons such as cutlasses, bottles, bows, and arrows, had stormed the NURTW headquarters located on Sapele Street in Garki II, Abuja. These individuals were allegedly removing items from the premises, which escalated into a physical confrontation when other NURTW members attempted to resist them.
In response to the disturbance, the police intervened and arrested seven suspects at the scene. The individuals taken into custody are Sulaiman A. Musa, Nasiru Ibrahim, Alhaji Sadisu Musa, Dalha Suleiman, Abdullahi Garba, Saheed Fojebi, and Ibikunle T Baruwa. The Command confirmed that the suspects have been charged to the Magistrate's Court 1 in Wuse Zone 2, and normalcy has since been restored to the area.
Background on NURTW Leadership Crisis
The incident occurs against the backdrop of a deepening leadership crisis within the NURTW. Recently, Tajudeen Baruwa took over the union's national secretariat in Abuja, displacing Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo. This takeover followed a series of court rulings that reshaped the union's leadership structure. Baruwa, supported by followers from across the country, informed journalists at the secretariat that his actions were backed by two court judgments affirming his position.
He stated that the union had previously notified the police, providing certified copies of the judgments to facilitate the recovery of the secretariat. However, Baruwa expressed dissatisfaction with the response from law enforcement agencies, describing it as unconvincing. This led to a follow-up notice issued days earlier, declaring the union's intention to resume operations in accordance with the court rulings.
The FCT Police Command's denial of the shooting allegations and the subsequent arrests highlight the ongoing tensions within the NURTW and the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining order during such disputes. The situation underscores the importance of accurate information dissemination and the role of law enforcement in addressing public safety concerns in Nigeria's capital.
