National President of NURTW and Officers Arrested, Secretariat Sealed Off in Abuja
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has been hit with a major controversy as its National President, Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, and three other officers were arrested. In a shocking turn of events, the NURTW Secretariat located at Garki 2, Abuja, has also been sealed off.
The union confirmed the arrests and the sealing off of the secretariat. According to reports, armed policemen and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrived at the secretariat on Friday at 5 pm, ordering all occupants to leave the building. The President and the three other officials were arrested on the premises of the secretariat.
The Deputy President of the union, Mr. Isa Ore, expressed his surprise at the development during a media address. He stated that the police arrived early on Saturday, asking everyone to vacate the premises. The NURTW officials were left bewildered as they were not given any explanation for this action.
Isa further disclosed that the union was preparing for the inauguration and swearing-in of the newly elected members of the National Administrative Council when the police invaded and sealed off the premises. The policemen claimed they were acting on orders from higher authorities.
We were shocked to see the policemen locking our secretariat without providing a reason. Today, Saturday, we were preparing for the inauguration and swearing-in of the newly elected National Administrative Council members, but we received a visit from the police who ordered us to vacate the premises. They said it was an order from above and detained our President and other leaders at Wuse police station. I have called the FCT Commissioner of Police, but he said he was not in town, explained Isa.
Aside from President Tajudeen Baruwa, the other arrested officials were identified as General Secretary Anthony Asogwa Chukudi, National Trustee Olayi Odion, and Principal Assistant Secretary Abdulrasak Yemi. Currently, they are all being held at the Wuse Zone 3 Division.
The sudden arrest and sealing off of the NURTW Secretariat have raised questions and created uncertainty within the union. Members and supporters are eagerly awaiting further information and clarification regarding this unexpected development.
The NURTW plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s transportation sector, representing the interests of road transport workers across the country. It remains to be seen how this incident will impact the operations and future of the union.
