Just In: Police Arrest NURTW President, Seal National Secretariat

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The President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW ), Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, has been arrested by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).

It was gathered that police officers also arrested the union’s General Secretary, Anthony Asogwa Chukudi; National Trustee, Olayi Odion; and the Principal Assistant Secretary, Abdulrasak Yemi.

The Deputy President of the union, Isa Ore, confirmed the development to SaharaReporters on Saturday, adding that the union’s officers are currently being detained at the Wuse Zone 3 Division in Abuja.

He said the officers were arrested on the premises of the secretariat at 5 pm on Friday when armed policemen and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) invaded and sealed off the National Secretariat of the union located at Garki 2, Abuja.

According to Ore, the police did not give any reason for locking the building and asked all the occupants to vacate the building.

He said, “Today, Saturday, we were preparing for the inauguration and swearing-in of the newly elected National Administrative Council members, but we just saw police, and they asked us to leave the premises. They said it was an order from above and they have detained our president and other leaders at Wuse police station.”

It was learned that the union, on Wednesday, August 9, issued a statement alleging plans by some people to stage a violent protest at the secretariat of the union against the delegates’ conference slated for Saturday, August 12.

According to reports, the union also requested police protection from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command to guard to prevent any attack and possible breakdown of law and order.

It was gathered that the union in May 2023 held the election that produced the new officials that were supposed to be formally inaugurated today (Saturday), August 12.