Four Killed In NURTW Clash In Lagos

Olalekan Olabulo - 23.02.2008

FOUR people were on Friday feared dead and several others injured in a renewed clash between two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oshodi area of Lagos State.

The dead victims, including a 12-year-old boy, were reportedly felled by stray bullets from sporadic shootings from the two factions.

The boy was said to be going on an errand to pick a bag of pure water for his mother when he was hit by stray bullets while scrambling with others for safety.

Policemen on duty at the area also shot sporadically to disperse the two warring factions who had been at loggerheads over a long period of time over the control of motor parks in the area.

As early as six o’ clock in the morning, commuters and traders at the popular Oshodi market were all trapped between the two warring factions hurling all sorts of missiles at one another.

Several vehicles also had their windscreens smashed, while social miscreants also cashed in on the incident to rob passersby.

When Saturday Tribune visited the scene of the incident on Friday morning, heavy police personnel were on ground to douse the tension, as an armoured personnel carrier and two patrol vans were stationed in the area.

The Oshodi Central Market was also under lock and key with traders at the market seen in groups hanging around, hoping that the market would be opened for operation.