The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the immediate release of the President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, three national officers and 21 members of the union who have been in police detention since Wednesday, September 13, 2023, in Abuja as a result of clash between factions over the union leadership.
WesternLifeNewsNG understands that the union leaders were arrested following an invitation by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Haruna Garba and later detained at the office of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) located in Guzape.
Meanwhile, in a statement of Friday, by the NURTW Acting President, Kabiru Minjibir, condemned the illegal arrest and detention of Baruwa and his executive members.
He also accused the police of taking sides with one of the factions in the crisis rocking the union’s leadership.
NLC expressed worry about the action of the police in releasing Alhaji Tajudeen Badru Agbede, after staging a violent attack on the union’s secretariat.
The statement noted that NLC had warned the police on the matter but they persisted in their unlawful intervention by providing cover for those imposing themselves on the union.
It said the union engaged the police in discussions and reached an understanding on a roadmap towards peace to safeguard lives and property but “it is disheartening that their concerns were not heeded and the roadmap not implemented”.
The statement read, “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) deeply laments the regrettable and entirely avoidable outbreak of violence at the National Secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
“This unfortunate event resulted in loss of life, injuries, and extensive property damage.
“In August, we raised alarm regarding the actions of the police targeting the legitimate leadership of the Union, and the hidden motives behind wresting control for the benefit of a select few who invoked the name of the President of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We implored the police leadership to reassess their actions and align them with the legal framework and international standards that govern industrial relations.
“Regrettably, instead of heeding our plea, the police extended their support in the unlawful occupation of the Union’s national headquarters, in stark violation of established legal and industrial relations norms. The democratically elected leadership of the Union was forcibly ousted while the area was cordoned off by the police.
“We emphasized the peril this illegality posed to peace and its adverse implications for our democratic traditions. Recognizing its gravity, the issue was prominently featured in the agenda of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Congress on August 31st. NEC members unanimously condemned the police’s actions, which became our second reason leading to the successful nationwide 2-Day warning strike on the 5th and 6th of this month.
“Despite our forewarnings, the police persisted in their unlawful intervention, providing cover for those imposing themselves on the Union. We engaged in discussions with the police leadership, reaching an understanding on a roadmap towards peace to safeguard lives and property. It is disheartening that our concerns were not heeded and the roadmap unimplemented.
“Had our advice been heeded, this tragic incident could have been averted. Lives could have been spared, properties safeguarded, and injuries avoided. We are left bewildered as to how such an incident could occur under police presence unless there are undisclosed motives.
“We urgently call upon the police authorities to promptly release the democratically elected Union leaders from detention and conduct a fair investigation into the violence. Our nation cannot afford to entertain any semblance of impunity or bias, especially at this critical juncture. Let us refrain from exacerbating an already precarious situation with actions that may be construed as partiality towards illegality.
“The NLC holds the state and the police accountable for their inaction and unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of the Union. Established statutory avenues for resolution exist and should have been followed, but it appears that authorities are disinclined to adhere to them.
“Disregarding democratic rights and practices inevitably leads to such regrettable incidents, which could have been avoided through steadfast adherence to democratic principles.
“Once more, we implore the police to veer away from this unsustainable course and adhere to the previously agreed roadmap to prevent further escalation of the crisis. In these critical times, those entrusted with public confidence must exercise prudence, and those responsible for upholding our laws must refrain from being perceived as spearheading an assault against them.”
