At least one person has been reported dead and about five lockup shops burnt as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed with drivers in a free-for-all in Arugo park, Owerri-Onitsha road, Imo State.
The incident, which reportedly led to the killing of a 45-year-old father of seven occurred at about 11 a.m on Tuesday with drivers that are mostly youths from Irette community.
Some union members were said to have engaged a bus-Imo shuttle driver in an aggressive tussle over payments, and forced him to offload his passengers.
According to Daily Post, an eyewitness, Emeka Ibe said, “I heard their argument. The driver had told them, ‘when I go on one more trip, I would pay’. The argument continued and all of a sudden, they started fighting themselves.”
He said the victim, Uzoma Onyeagucha, who unfortunately met his waterloo, was not even a driver but was among the Irette youths who came to rescue the driver.
Another eyewitness said that some passengers took to their heels as members of the drivers’ union reportedly used charms and other dangerous weapons during the fight.
The eyewitness said the victim happened to be a brother to the commercial bus operator who was intercepted by some members of NURTW taskforce operating along Owerri/Onitsha Express Way.
According to him, “the illegal activities of the union leaders, who are mostly Samuel Ude’s boys resulted in violent attacks on members and the innocent citizens of the State.
“The father of seven who was beaten with charm was rushed to the hospital but he later died before they arrived while his remains had been deposited at the Federal Medical Center, FMC, Owerri morgue.”
The Imo State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Barr. Rex Anunobi (Sokom) who also drove to the scene, appealed to the angry youths of Irete to maintain peace, even as he assured justice over the demise of their late brother.
The NURTW State chairman, Mr Samuel Ude, could not be reached as at the time of filling this report.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Michael Abattam, when contacted on phone for reaction, said, “for now, we have not heard about the report, but I will call the relevant DPO to find out.”