Pandemonium in Ondo as NURTW members battle one another

There was pandemonium in the Benin garage axis of Akure, the state capital on Wednesday night, as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) engaged in a free-for-all.

The members of the union in the Benin garage unit brandished different dangerous weapons, including cultlass, axes, broken bottles and local guns.

No fewer than 10 people sustained high degree of injuries in the fight that ensured over leadership crisis.

Residents of Akure, who got the inkling of the attack scampered for their safety as the major street in the state capital was deserted for safety purposes.

Trouble started around 7pm when the ousted Chairman of the unit reportedly refused to hand over to the new chairman, Adekunle Kareem, who will be inaugurated today, Thursday.

The newly elected state Chairman of the Union, Adebo Jacobs, popularly called, Idajo, will be inaugurated with the presentation of staff of office by the National President of the Union, Yasin and governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

Members of the union had on Wednesday afternoon staged a celebration rally to usher in the new state chairman.

Former Chairman of the unit, Adehun refused to hand over to Kareem, a development which angered most of the members of the union in the unit.

Casualties from the clash are already receiving treatment at the State General Hospital.

Many of the casualties were seen on beds with doctors attending to them.

Speaking with journalists on the issue, the new branch chairman of the union, Kareem, alleged, that the fight was initiated by the immediate past chairman of the unit, popularly known as Adehun, who refused to hand over after spending eight years with the immediate past administration.

He said further that Adehun laid ambush with his boys for them as they were returning from the rally organized in support of the newly elected state chairman.

Adekunle said he has reported the case to the new state chairman, comrade Adebo Jacobs, also known as” Idajo”

All efforts to reach the state chairman proved abortive as he wasn’t answering his phone calls.