NURTW apologises to Sanwo-Olu, backs probe

The Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers has apologised to the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over the deadly clash that occurred in Idumota, Lagos Island area of the state.

The union in a statement by its President, Tajudeen Baruwa, also backed the ongoing probe into the matter.

The statement was titled, ‘NURTW not party to violence and we are condemning killings and ugly incidents in Lagos’. While condemning the clash, Baruwa assured the Lagos State Government that erring members would be punished.

He said, “NURTW condemns the killings and attacks among members of the union, and the unrest that led to the death of people yet to be identified at Idumota axis of Lagos last week.

“According to reports and viral Videos in the public domain, it is certain that an unconfirmed number of lives were lost during this ugly incident and the union will not rest until faces behind these actions are been fished out.

“We want to assure you that NURTW is not in support of such conduct and the ugly incident that occurred at idumota axis of Lagos Island and we are disassociating the body from any act that is capable of promoting spilling of blood and paralysing businesses as witnessed a few days ago in Lagos.

“In ensuring that appropriate actions are been taken to end such conduct going forward, the union will be working with the Lagos State Government, security agencies, and other stakeholders to investigate as well as go after persons or groups that are behind this re-occurring barbaric display that led to the loss of lives and several properties in the community.

“The NURTW has followed this incident that brought Lagos island to a chaotic situation, posing danger to life and properties and grounding business activities in the area. We hereby assure Lagosians, as the national body of NURTW, that something will be done to end such conduct. We cannot continue this way, putting a bad image on the entirety of the Union, this is unacceptable.

“The union is tendering its unreserved apology to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, entire Lagosians over inconvenience the ugly incident may have caused the state, its law-abiding people, businesses that suffered the unrest, most.

“We commend the state government on the quick intervention that brought calm to the community and the body is assuring the government that all erring members who took to violence instead of peace will not go unpunished.”