The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NURTW

  • NURTW member docked for stabbing colleague

    A member of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ganiyu Ibrahim, who allegedly stabbed his colleague with a knife during a fight over proceeds from motor parks, was on Monday arraigned in Lagos.

    Ibrahim, 32, was brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on a two-count charge of assault, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Philip Osijiale, told the court that the accused, on May 19 at about 9:30pm at NEPA Road, Ajah, Lagos, stabbed one Gbolahan Akinsemorin, who is also a member NURTW.

    Osijiale said the accused stabbed Akinsemorin with a knife on his back and waist during a fight for supremacy and proceeds from motor parks.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 170 and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused, however, denied the charge and was granted N100,000 bail.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Memunat Folami, said the accused must provide one responsible surety and adjourned the case till July 4 for mention.

  • Three danfo drivers ‘stab’ NURTW member

    Three danfo drivers ‘stab’ NURTW member

    Three commercial bus drivers, who allegedly beat and stabbed a National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) official, were yesterday arraigned in Lagos.

    Bidemi Adamo, 20, Sodiq Saka, 26 and Saheed Badru, 34, are facing a three-count charge of breach of peace, conspiracy and assault at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    Adamo resides at the Police College in Ikeja; Saka lives at Ayantu Street in Ifo, Ogun State and Badru resides at Oluwa Street in Ifo.

    Prosecuting Inspector Essien Ndarake said the accused committed the offence on May 2 in Agege, Lagos.

    He said the accused with others still at large conspired, beat and stabbed a NURTW member, Akeem Arusat, the complainant, with knives.

    “The complainant was on duty collecting revenue for the union when the accused stormed the place with dangerous weapons. He usually issues tickets to transporters for loading at a bus stop. The accused numbering 25 men stormed the place and attacked him. They were all armed with cutlasses, knives, iron rods and other dangerous weapons, beating, hitting and stabbing him,’’ he said.

    “But for the quick intervention of the police, the complainant would have been killed.”

    The offence contravened Sections 166, 171 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused pleaded not guilty and were granted N50,000 bail each, with one surety each in the like sum.

    Magistrate E. Kubeinje adjourned the case to June 9.

  • NURTW members get code of conduct

    NURTW members get code of conduct

    The Lagos State Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has rolled out a code of conduct to guide the activities of its members.

    Its chairman Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, announced this during the monthly meeting at the weekend.

    According to him, the measures became necessary to curb alleged involvement of union members in illegal activities with the attendant negative effect on the image of the council.

    The Lagos NURTW boss warned members to stay away from vices like cultism, robbery, hooliganism and anti-union activities

    “I want to use this opportunity to tell our members to desist from any illegal act or shady deals that can dent the image of the union. Henceforth, branch/unit executives are to ensure that members comply with the code of conduct. If you noticed that a member of your branch or unit is of questionable characters or involved in shady deals, please report him to state council before he damage to the image of our union,” Agbede told the members.

    He said the state council will deal with the leadership of any branch which fails to comply, as the executives of such branch will be dissolved and a caretaker committee appointed to oversee the branch

    “Enough of this negative publicity; we shall not fold our arms and allow  a few disgruntle elements destroy our image,” he added and urged the media to cross check with the union before publishing information on anybody purported to be a union official found committing untoward acts.

  • NURTW disowns suspect

    NURTW disowns suspect

    The Chairman of  Ajeromi Branch D of the National Union of  Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State Council, Comrade Areago Raufu, has disowned Kazeem Bamidele aka Elewure, arrested for allegedly buying stolen phones.

    Raufu said Elewure had been expelled from the union since 2013 “because of his wayward behaviour”.

    The police in Lagos arrested Bamidele for buying stolen phones. The suspect, according to the police, claimed to be the vice chairman of Ajeromi Unit.

    But Raufu expressed surprise at the report . He said the suspect was expelled from the union in 2013.

    “We are very surprised because the man in question was no longer with us”.

     

     

  • I trade in stolen phones, claims NURTW chief Elewure

    I trade in stolen phones, claims NURTW chief Elewure

    Rapid Response Squad (RS) operatives have arrested a National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) leader, Kazeem Bamidele, for allegedly buying over 4,256 stolen phones.

    Bamidele aka Elewure, vice chairman of Ajegunle NURTW, reportedly told the RRS that he received an average of 38 “clean” phones weekly from over 52 persons, who specialise in pick pocketing and one-chance operations across the state.

    Bamidele, 42, was arrested after RRS Intelligence team caught two suspected stolen phones users in Kogi State.

    The suspects were tracked to Kogi and arrested in connection with an abduction and robbery in Lagos.

    The team discovered that Elewure sold two BlackBerry Z10 and CAT phones collected from robbery and kidnap victims by the suspects.

    Elewure was traced to his shop at Boundary Market in Ajegunle where he was arrested; five phones were recovered from him.

    Elewure was quoted by RRS as saying: “I have over 52 boys who sell clean stolen mobile phones to me. On the average, I receive 38 ‘clean’ phones in a week. I have been in the business for more than two years.

    “Boundary Market in Ajegunle, where I have office and shop, is where they sell the phones to me and that is where the buyers equally get them. I know they are stolen phones. Nearly every guy in Ajegunle is involved in this kind of runs.

    “I buy Infinix Hot 2 at N10,000 and sell N12,000; Blackberry Z30 at N20,000 and sell at N22,000; Infinix Hot Note at N15,000 and sell at N17,000 and Samsung Galaxy X3 at N11,000 and sell at N14,000. I don’t buy iPhone because of its locking system”.

    “Some of the phones traced to Elewure were that of high profile members of the society as well as celebrities,” RRS said.

    The suspect, the RRS said, had provided information that would lead to the arrest of his ‘boys’, adding that most of the robbers lodge in hotels.

    It was gathered that the RRS have impounded two commercial Danfo buses used for robbery and one chance operations.

    Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP), said investigation was progressing, adding that the case has been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

  • Make petrol available, NURTW urges FG

    Make petrol available, NURTW urges FG

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Niger on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to make petrol available at the approved rate.

    The NURTW Chairman in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Sarki, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna.

    He said availability of petrol at official rate would enable the union members to recoup their investment and review the current transport fares in the state.

    NAN reports that the state chapter of the union recently increased transport fares owing to non availability of fuel.

    The agency also reports that widespread scarcity had resulted in the sale of fuel at between N190 and N200 per litre at the black market.

    “We want the Federal Government to make fuel available at the approved price of N86 per litre to enable us revert to the old transport fares because passengers are complaining.

    “The current economic hardship is already having its negative effect on passengers then all of a sudden increase in transport fares.

    “So it has not been easy with our passengers and on our own side, we don’t buy only fuel to keep our vehicles going but we have to maintain them,’’ he said.

    He explained that the hike in transport fares had reduced the number of commuters per day.

    The union chairman said that transport fare from Minna to Kontagora, which used to be N900 was now N1,100 while Minna to Sokoto was now N3,500 as against N3, 000.

    Also speaking, Mrs Grace Ayuba, a fish seller in Shiroro, told NAN that she had reduced her shuttles to Minna for business from three to two times a week.

    She said the scarcity of fuel was biting hard while the price of fish had gone up, with customers complaining.

    Mr Abdullahi Isah, the Controller of the Department of Petroleum Resources in the state, told NAN that the fuel situation would normalise next week.

    “These queues you are seeing across the country will disappear because government is already doing something about it.

    “The Federal Government is doing something that I will not want to disclose now to ensure enough fuel supply in the country.
    “Hopefully by next week, there will be enough fuel supply in the country,’’ he said.

    Isah said that Niger, which was supposed to get 30 trucks of PMS per day, gets only two.

    “What we are doing right now in Niger state is to make sure that the small quantity available is not diverted but sold to the people at N86 per litre.

    “We need 30 trucks of PMS in the state to ensure enough supply but you can see that we have just two which is inadequate,’’ he said.

     

  • Ondo NURTW exco inaugurated

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday said effective public transportation system is the engine room of a nation’s economy.

    He hailed the leadership and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for organising delegates’ conference that led to the successful election of new state executives.

    The eighth Quadrennial State Delegates Conference was held at the DOME International Conference Centre with many dignitaries, including the National President, Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin and other National Executives in attendance.

    Mimiko enjoined road transport workers to continue to be agents of good conduct and civility.

    The governor advised the state chairman, Ariyo Adetula, to carry his members along.

  • NURTW launches traffic law education

    NURTW launches traffic law education

    lAGOS State council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has begun public enlightenment campaign/education for Danfo drivers and Okada riders.

    Its chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, said billboards and banners would be displayed at strategic places to remind drivers and Okada riders of the dos and don’ts of the state traffic law

    “Some of you may be wondering why we are organising this programme. The reason is that some of our members, especially the Okada riders and Danfo drivers are still flouting the traffic laws and their actions are denting the image of our union, hence the decision to embark on the programme

    “It may interest you to know that some Okada riders still ply highways, despite the fact that it is against the law. Conductors are also not allowed to open the doors of their vehicles while in motion. And the can only pick or drop passengers at designated bus stops to allow free flow of traffic.”

    The council, he said, will also declare war on sales of alcohol and hard drugs at motor parks and garages.

  • DPP clears seven of killing NURTW Chief

    DPP clears seven of killing NURTW Chief

    Seven men arrested and charged before an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, in connection with the death of a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos Island, Azeez Otun, 47, and other two persons, have been exonerated by the state’s Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    The suspects are: Ahmadu Kazeem, 43; Ibrahim Afolabi, 37; Lawal Lateef, 27; Anthony Qudus, 33; Adeshina Ibrahim, 28; Adebayo Ogunjimi, 25 and Animashaun Olubodun, 33.

    The late Otun, alias Ashake, Rilwan Saka, 19, and Obabiolorunkosi Nurudeen were shot dead allegedly after a rally organised by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), on September 20, 2014, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan, Lagos.

    After the incident, the seven were arrested by the police and arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder before Chief Magistrate Afolashade Botoku, who granted an application for their remand pending advice from the DPP.

    In absolving the suspects of the alleged murder, the DPP in an advice with reference number LJP/HOM/2016/02/13, dated February 23, 2016, and signed by M. T. Adewoye, its Assistant Director, stated that the prosecution cannot succeed in establishing the guilt of the suspects by merely establishing the death of the deceased.

    Parts of the advice reads: “After carefully considering the facts available in the duplicate case file, this office is of the view that there are insufficient facts to establish a prima facia case of conspiracy to commit murder and murder contrary to Section 409 and 221 respectively of the Criminal laws of Lagos State 2011, against all the suspects herein.

    “Facts in the duplicate case file revealed that on September 20, 2014, there was a rally organised by members of Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, at TBS, Lagos Island, and after the rally there was a clash between the supporters of PDP and All Progressive Congress, APC, at Isale-Eko which resulted in the death of Azeez Otun, A.K.A Ashake, a member of the APC. Facts further revealed that there was a reprisal attack at Enu-Owa in Lagos, and three persons identified as PSP members were shot dead.”

    The advice states further: “The facts in the case file disclosed that, all suspects were not arrested at the scene of the crime, and neither were they arrested with a gun. The suspects were arrested by the police based on suspicion through raiding. Moreover, most of the suspects raised defenses in alibi relating to their location at the time of the incident which were corroborated by other suspects and were also affirmed and admitted by investigative reports.

    “In view of the above, this office shall not prosecute all suspects herein Ahmadu Kazeem, Ibrahim Afolabi, Lawal Lateef; Anthony Qudus; Adeshina Ibrahim; Adebayo Ogunjimi, for conspiracy felony and murder contrary to sections 409 and 221 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011, and thus should be released forthwith.

    “However, there are witnesses statements confirming that Kazeem Oloko, Abass Adebola, Mustapha Akindele, a.k.a. Sego, Fatal Olori, a.k.a Agbara and Alli Balogun are all involved in the death of the deceased persons and thus should be arrested.”

  • Mushin NURTW sues for peace

    Mushin NURTW sues for peace

    We are peace loving and law-abiding citizens. We are not criminally- minded or impediments to progress.’’

    These were the words of Alhaji Suleiman Adio, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mushin Main Garage Chairman while reacting to the protest by female traders at Ago Ishaga Market in Mushin, last Thursday.

    Adio said the park had been in existence for over 40 years, adding that NURTW members and the traders are partners in business.

    He dissociated NURTW from the market’s rehabilitation, claiming that the union only resisted attempt to encroach on its park.

    “The market women had reported the case to the Lagos State Chairman of NURTW, Tajudeen Agbede, who invited the parties for amicable settlement last week. It was their dissatisfaction with the outcome of the meeting that led to the protest,” he said.

    He said it was wrong for the market women to portray him or his members as clogs in the wheel of progress, adding: “We are peace loving indigenes of Mushin. They should not exploit the advantage of their numerical strength to deny us our rights. We have even resisted the temptation of millions of naira from developers to make the area better. All we want is for all to co-exist for progress but not to give bad names to one another for selfish reasons.”