By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Police Command has confirmed that normalcy has been restored following a protest by a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) that degenerated into clashes in parts of Osogbo on Monday.
The Command said the protest was triggered by allegations from one faction of the transport union that its members were prevented from accessing motor parks by a rival faction, a situation that temporarily disrupted public peace and commercial activities before security operatives intervened.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers were immediately deployed after receiving distress calls from affected areas.
According to the statement, police personnel acted swiftly and used minimal force to disperse the protesters and restore law and order.
The Command added that security personnel have since been stationed at various motor parks across the state to forestall any further breakdown of law and order and ensure the safety of commuters, transport operators and residents.
The police called on members and leaders of the rival NURTW factions to immediately cease hostilities and embrace peaceful dialogue as the appropriate means of resolving their grievances.
It also urged aggrieved parties to channel their complaints through lawful and administrative processes rather than resorting to violence or actions capable of disrupting public peace.
The statement appealed to all stakeholders to exercise restraint and avoid statements or actions capable of escalating tensions while the relevant authorities address issues surrounding the management of the affected motor parks.
The Command stressed that the police, working with other security agencies, remain committed to maintaining law and order, protecting lives and property, and conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident.
It warned that anyone found to have engaged in violence or any other criminal act in connection with the clashes would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, advised residents to remain calm and go about their lawful activities without fear, assuring them that adequate security measures have been put in place to prevent further disturbances.
He also appealed to members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist ongoing investigations and cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of causing panic or inflaming the situation.
The police statement came hours after members of a faction of the NURTW staged coordinated protests at major motor parks across Osun State, demanding improved security and the arrest of individuals they accused of being responsible for recent violence within the transport union.
Soldiers had been deployed to strategic locations across Osogbo and surrounding areas following the disturbances linked to the lingering leadership crisis within the NURTW.
The deployment followed protests by transport workers and supporters of different factions of the union at several motor parks, leading to temporary disruption of commercial and transport activities.
Residents and commuters said the presence of soldiers helped restore confidence after hours of uncertainty.
Commercial activities were briefly affected around major motor parks in Osogbo as transport operators suspended operations while protesters occupied parts of the facilities.
Eyewitnesses said military personnel were stationed at strategic junctions and motor parks, where they monitored the situation, conducted patrols and prevented further escalation of the crisis.
A trader at the popular Igbonna Market, Kudirat, said residents felt reassured after security operatives arrived.
“We thank the military for coming. There was panic this morning after gunshots were heard, but when the soldiers arrived, calm gradually returned and people started going back to their businesses,” she said.
A commercial bus driver also commended the conduct of the security personnel.
“The military acted professionally. Their presence helped restore order, and transport workers and passengers became more confident to return to their activities,” he said.
Although tension lingered in some locations, witnesses said security personnel focused on maintaining public order, protecting lives and property, and preventing further violence rather than becoming involved in the leadership dispute within the union.
The protest stemmed from the ongoing crisis within the NURTW, with aggrieved members demanding greater security at motor parks and calling for the intervention of law enforcement agencies over recent violent incidents affecting transport workers.
The disturbances also generated fresh political accusations.
Supporters of the Accord Party alleged that individuals they identified as “Asiri Eniba and other APC thugs” invaded some motor parks and fired gunshots while allegedly being accompanied by police personnel.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
As of the time of filing this report, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had not issued an official response to the allegations, while the Osun State Police Command had not specifically addressed the claims.
Monday’s developments come amid heightened political tension in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with political parties, civil society organisations and election observers repeatedly calling on security agencies to remain impartial and ensure adequate protection for residents throughout the electoral process
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Residents appealed to the military, police and other security agencies to sustain their presence in identified flashpoints to prevent further violence and reassure members of the public as political activities intensify ahead of the governorship poll.
